Chapter 1
On my 63rd birthday, my son whispered in front of the cake: “I hope this is the last candle you blow.” I put out the flame, looked him in the eyes and replied: “My wish has already been fulfilled… tomorrow you’ll understand”. Nobody stopped clapping. No one saw how my last patience died. And before dawn, I had already opened the safe.
Then Daniel raised his glass and said: “For the future,” Daniel said. “Because my dad finally understood that a united family also needs to be organized.” Lucia raised her glass. I raised my glass of water. “You’re right,” I said. “A family organizes itself. That’s why I called them.”
Daniel smiled, comfortable, confident, as if he were already sitting on my writings and not at my desk. Lucía arranged the napkin on her lap and glanced sideways toward the study, right where I always kept the papers that she sniffed like a hunting dog.
Then Roberto left. My son’s smile was only half-stuck on his face. —Mr. Ibáñez— said Lucía, trying to sound calm. —What a surprise. “Good afternoon,” Roberto replied.
My youngest grandson, Emiliano, kept eating rice, completely oblivious. Sofia, the eldest, looked first at her father, then at me. Children always smell when a table is about to break. Roberto placed a black folder next to the cake that was left over from the night before. —Ernesto signed this morning the revocation of powers and authorizations that Daniel had over accounts, insurance, workshop, property procedures and any banking management.
Daniel put down the glass. -That? I looked at him without raising my voice. —You can no longer move anything in my name. Lucia paled. —Don Ernesto, you probably didn’t understand what you signed. —I understood perfectly. I signed while awake, with homemade coffee and no one rushing me.
May you like
Daniel let out a dry laugh. —Dad, this is absurd. I was just trying to help you. —Helping doesn’t mean asking for an extra checkbook without telling me. Her face hardened. —That was just in case. —It’s not about making copies of my deeds either. —You’re exaggerating. —Nor sending my house to be appraised by a real estate agent in Del Valle while I continue living in it.
Lucia lowered her gaze. That’s when I knew it was true. That this woman had been behind every step.
