apartamento e permaneceu calada olhando o movimento das ondas. O corretor interrompeu seu silêncio após uns 10 minutos de espera. A senhora gostou? Meu marido surfava quando jovem, tínhamos planos de morar na praia, mas acabamos engolidos no dia a dia da cidade grande. Ele faleceu faz dois meses. Sinto muito, D. Luiza. Gostei, sim. Ela saiu do prédio e atravessou a rua para andar pela praia. A areia quente tocava de leve a sua sandália, enquanto lembrava de Antonio molhado, de pé na sua prancha. Lu, um dia mudamos para o litoral. Ele surfando, ela escrevendo. Esse dia, não chegou para Antonio, a vida que tiveram não teve espaço para sonhos da juventude. No dia seguinte, Luiza reuniu os filhos num almoço improvisado. Mudo para a praia, já achei o apartamento. Mãe, não podemos deixar a senhora ficar tão longe, ainda mais agora. Já está decidido, fecho o contrato amanhã. Ela não tinha tempo para esperas e preocupações. Nem para conversas longas e decisões arrastadas. UNDERTOW On April 1st, an elderly woman moved into the apartment next door. She had difficulty climbing the stairs—slowly, stopping every four steps, she would catch her breath and stay focused on the task of reaching the third floor. The apartment was small and bright, facing the sea. The living room window was wide, and when opened, it flooded the space with a light and pleasant breeze that cooled the heat and filled the room with the scent of the ocean. Luiza was 75 years old and had always dreamed of living by the coast. She postponed it her whole life, raising children and putting aside unfulfilled desires. The apartment had been for sale for some time. Luiza had visited the building the previous summer, stepped into the apartment, and stayed silent, watching the movement of the waves. The real estate agent broke the silence after about ten minutes of waiting. Did you like it, ma'am? My husband used to surf when he was young. We had plans to live by the beach, but we ended up swallowed by the daily life of the big city. He passed away two months ago. I'm so sorry, Mrs. Luiza. I did like it. She left the building and crossed the street to walk along the beach. The warm sand lightly touched her sandals as she remembered Antonio, wet, standing on his surfboard. Lu, one day we’ll move to the coast. He would be surfing the waves, while she would be writing a book. That day never came for Antonio. The life they had left no room for youthful dreams. The next day, Luiza gathered her children for an impromptu lunch. I'm moving to the beach. I've already found the apartment. Mom, we can’t let you stay so far away, especially now. It’s already decided. I’m signing the contract tomorrow. She had no time for waiting and worrying. Not for long conversations or dragged-out decisions.
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