A princípio, eles pensaram que fosse tudo um mal-entendido. A urgência da sua decisão não abria espaço para negociações. A vida à espera, sempre adiada durante anos de cuidado com os filhos, a mãe acamada e, por fim, Antonio. Luiza era pessoa de fortes responsabilidades, e nunca se colocou no centro da suas escolhas. Os filhos se surpreenderam com a firmeza e calma da sua comunicação. Ainda tentaram impedi-la, até mencionando que talvez estivesse muito idosa para esse tipo de mudança. Não tenho tempo para adiamentos. Antonio foi diagnosticado com Alzheimer, em meio a confusões financeiras e uma distante ausência que se confundia com surdez. Luiza notara, mas teve medo de saber a verdade. Adiou a visita ao médico. Ele está só mais velho e esquecido , contou as amigas no almoço de quarta-feira. Mas quando o condomínio atrasou e a carta de cobrança chegou, Luiza não pode mais acreditar na história que estava tentando construir. Antonio não conseguiu mais pagar as contas, e o diagnóstico veio, a entrada na porteira de uma fazenda abandonada, mato crescendo, sol a pino, e atravessar era o que restava. Sua vida mudou, e, além das contas, cuidou do marido cada vez mais silencioso, mais distante, mais confuso. Às vezes de volta, ainda fazia declarações de amor. As noites eram alongadas, entre os lutos de memórias repetidas e cenas da infância carregadas de perda. At first, they thought it was all a misunderstanding . The urgency of her decision left no room for negotiations. Life had been on hold—always postponed during years of caring for the children, her bedridden mother, and finally, Antonio. Luiza had always been a woman of strong responsibilities and had never placed herself at the center of her own choices. Her children were surprised by the firmness and calm in the way she communicated her decision. They still tried to stop her, even suggesting that perhaps she was too old for this kind of change. I don’t have time for postponements. Antonio was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s amidst financial confusion and a distant absence that was often mistaken for deafness. Luiza had noticed, but she was afraid to face the truth. She postponed the doctor’s visit. He’s just getting older and forgetful, she told her friends at Wednesday lunch. But when the condo fee went unpaid and the overdue notice arrived, Luiza could no longer believe the story she had been trying to create. Antonio could no longer manage the bills, and the diagnosis came—like the gate to an abandoned farm, overgrown with weeds under the scorching sun—and crossing through it was all that remained. Her life changed. In addition to the bills, she began caring for a husband who was increasingly silent, more distant, more confused. Sometimes he returned briefly, still offering words of love. The nights stretched long, filled with the grief of repeated memories and childhood scenes weighed down by loss.
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