When he felt that he was going to die, Dr. Ariosto asked for a few moments alone with his wife, Mrs. Quiléia (Quequé).
-Sit down, Quequé.
She sat down on the edge of his bed. She protested and cried when she learned that her husband was near the end. But Dr. Ariosto calmed her down. They both knew he didn't have much time and it would be better if they accepted that without any drama. He needed to tell her something. So he could die in peace. He then told her that he had another family.
-What?!
He did. Period. Another wife, other kids, even other grandkids. Mrs. Quiléia would eventually find out anyways, as he had provided for the other family in his will. But he had decided to tell her face to face. So that there wouldn't be any lies between them. And so she could tolerate his memory after he died. Promise, Quequé? Mrs. Quiléia cried. She could only nod. Relieved, Dr. Ariosto let his head fall back on the pillow. He could now die in peace.
But this is what happened: he didn't die. He had a miraculous recovery, the doctors couldn't explain it. Mrs. Quiléia attributed the recovery to her prayers. In a few weeks he was back on his feet. He still need care, of course. Mrs. Quiléia had to monitor his nutritional intake, give him medicine at certain times... The two of them would sit in the living room, watching TV, in silence. An embarrassed silence. Dr. Ariosto regretted making that confession. Mrs. Quiléia, however, didn't feel right taking advantage of the confession that man had made on what was, after all, his death bed. They simply did not discuss it. The next dar Dr. Ariosto received the doctor's permission to leave the house for the first time. He got dressed and ready. And called a cab.
-Want me to go with you? asked his wife.
-No, you don't have to.
-You gonna be long?
-No, no. I'm just going to...
He didn't finish that sentence. He stood at the door for a few seconds, in silence. Then said:
-Ok, bye.
-Bye.
There is one thing though. Mrs. Quiléia didn't keep the promise she made to her saint, when praying for her husband's recovery. She still buys eclairs and eats them by herself. She started buying really big ones. Big, enormous, delicious eclairs.
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