My Enemy’s Daughter

AMELIA LEAL

The day after the conversation with Mom, I went to Melissa’s house to tell her the news, but I came back when I saw the traumatic scene of her and her husband without clothes on the living room floor. I didn’t know pregnant women could be so flexible. In the afternoon of that same day, I received a call from you to go to the doctor responsible for your delivery, even embarrassed I accepted the invitation and Lorenzo left us there. I got emotional hearing little Sol’s heart beating, my eyes filled with tears and Mel looked at me with affection, none of us made any comments, however, it was clear on my face what I was thinking.

My nephew.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

It was a pleasant afternoon until I returned home and found my mother nowhere to be found, for a moment I thought she had gone and left me behind. It wouldn’t be a shock anyway. My expectations for the members of this family have been low for some time. A sister who hates me, a father who would choose his career first, and a lying mother.

No wonder I gave in to alcohol before going crazy.

“Leal doesn’t mean loyalty in our family, Melissa, but don’t be fooled by my confessions. Aurora also went through a lot and needed to be strong. ” I say, downing the sixth glass of tequila. Her face is twisted into a grimace as I pour myself some more of the hot liquid, but she doesn’t stop me.

“Is your relationship with Aurora really that bad?” ” He asks, showing a true interest in the answer. I shrug, trying to remember a time when things weren’t bad with my stepsister.

” She hates me. ” I explain, after reflecting for long seconds.

” I always wanted to have a big family, but I lost my parents when I was a girl and I was raised by an aunt. She was married but never wanted children. “Explain.

” Where is she? Your aunt. I don’t remember anyone here besides you, Vicenzo and Lorenzo.

” She is dead. “I confess, and I regret asking the question.”

” I’m sorry.

“Okay, it’s been a few years and like I told you, I handle the loss better than most people. I nod, looking at her from a new perspective.

A silence ensues and when I confess my forbidden romance with Henrico and say that he is Aurora’s ex, I put my hand over my mouth and promise never to drink again in my life.

“Are you in love with him?” She question and I decide I don’t want to talk about my feelings.

“Henrico and I won’t work. ” I speak.

“He was her husband, you know. Lorenzo. I stare at the clear liquid and discard it on the grass.

“Whose husband?”

“My Aunt. Lorenzo was her husband, we got involved after his death when I was still seventeen. I tense up, not sure if I’m fantasizing the story. It’s too surreal to be true.

“Are you saying your husband is… your uncle?” I fumble for words, feeling the alcohol take effect.

” No and yes. ” Speaks and along the eyebrows, leaning forward. I only drink water from now on.

Melissa tries to relax in the rocking chair, but the subject and her stomach won’t allow it, so she just plucks up some courage and starts talking. At first, I can’t hide my disbelief at her antics, dating older men is becoming commonplace in recent decades, but many are only aimed at money and that’s not her case. Melissa fell in love with her uncle when they started living under the same roof, Lorenzo became possessive, but resisted at first. The story raised every hair on my body, despite the certainty that I was spared the sordid moments. They don’t have the same blood and she assured thatthere was consent in all acts.

“I almost drove him crazy, poor thing. It chased him like a cat chases a mouse. ” Contemplative speech, not hiding the malicious smile on his face when he gets lost in the memories. My skin heats up and I blame the alcohol for that.

“Why did you tell me?” I question, feeling the weight of sleep in my body and eyelids.

She runs her tongue between her lips, buying time or savoring the last remnants ofof the spinach juice you drank.

” I spoke because I thought I should, you told me about Henrico and I thought it was fair to share that secret. We came here to start a life from scratch, we had nothing holding us back in Brazil. I give a lazy smile, enchanted by his round face and thoughtfulness. She didn’t need to tell me, it’s her life, but I’m happy to be worthy of her trust.

“Thanks for sharing this with me, Mel. It would be amazing to have as a sister. ” I mutter, almost closing my eyes.

“Do you want to spend the night here?” he asks and I shake my head, rubbing my eyes with my fingers.

“I need to check on my mother.

“Amelia? “It calls when I stand up.”

” What? ” My voice is dragged by sleep, alcohol, fatigue.

” The truth is, I have another reason for telling you this story.” Say it and I’m curious.

” Same?”

Yawn.

” After my aunt died, I found out that my father was not my biological father and that I had a family. An uncle and two cousins, to be exact.

“An uncle and two cousins?” ” I repeat.

She nods.

My temple throbs.

” Where are they?”

“They don’t know of my existence.”

” Because?”

” I’m afraid of not being accepted.” I end up smiling, because that’s exactly what I feel every time I wake up in the morning.

“You’ll never know if you don’t try.” How bad are they?

” My uncle is supposedly involved in politics.” My smile widens, visibly understanding.

” I understand your point, this species is really complicated, but I survived and you are still your cousins.”

” Amelia, I have to tell you something that maybe you won’t remember at dawn, but I have a reputation for being impulsive and I need to say it before the flame of courage goes out.” I memorize the words of the song that is playing softly on the kitchen radio and try not to get lost in the melody. ” My father’s name was Daniel Leal.”

The woman who has been occupying a big space in my life wipes away a tear and gives a smile full of hope.