Warm Water

Some pains don’t vanish with time — they settle in and make a home where we grew up.

The city of Água Morna woke up rainy on that Friday in February 2023.
The kind of fine, constant rain that doesn’t wash anything away — it just lingers.

At house number 41, on Acácias Street, Mr. Venâncio Moraes paced back and forth with his hands behind his back and a heavy expression on his face.
He didn’t even want to hear about his daughter, Linda Moraes, getting involved with any boy from that town.
— “Not here. Not in this city.”

His wife, Rita das Dores, watched everything in silence.
She didn’t agree, but she didn’t oppose him either.
Over the years, she had learned that disagreeing in silence was sometimes the only way to survive a relationship.

That Friday, Linda, 15, went to school.
Venâncio stayed home, restless, as if sensing something — or simply unable to bear the time she was away.

State School Dorival Sarmento — 9:00 AM

It was break time.
The cafeteria buzzed, students ran across the courtyard as if time worked differently there —
except for Linda, who sat alone on a bench near a red-trunk tree, in the quietest corner of the yard.

Márcio approached quietly, covering her eyes with his hands.
Linda smiled immediately:
— My love…
Márcio smiled behind her. She turned around and the kiss was quick, furtive, but full of truth.

— I feel like running away with you, leaving this city.
— But how? We’re young, we have nowhere to go.
— I’m thinking about going to your house. Talking to your father. Asking to date you properly.
— Are you sure?
— If he sees it’s serious… maybe he’ll accept.

Linda shrugged, half doubtful, half in love:
— Okay. If you think it’s best for us…

The bell rang.
They said goodbye with another kiss.
Linda returned to class, but her thoughts stayed in the courtyard — in the kiss, in the idea of her father.

She was the kind of person who imagined the worst scenarios before anything was even said.
In class, while the teacher spoke, she stared ahead with open eyes and a restless heart.

Noon — end of school

Márcio was waiting outside.
When Linda came out, they walked together, arm in arm, to her house — half an hour along wet roads, leaves stuck to the ground, and anxious breaths intertwined.

At the Moraes house

Venâncio paced again, uneasy.
His shirt soaked with sweat, his brow furrowed, and his soul broken into pieces he didn’t know how to name.

— She’s coming. With that boy. I know it.
— Calm down, man! — said Rita from the kitchen.
— If you know me, Rita… you know Linda is my treasure.
These people from this town can’t be trusted.
I’m thinking of sending her to your sister Glória’s house.
There’s that school run by nuns there. It would be good for her… until we can go too.

— Do you really think so, Venâncio?
— I’ve had this in my head for days, woman…

Outside, Linda approached with Márcio.
Rita was the first to see them. Her blood seemed to drain from her body.

— What is that? I can’t believe it…

Linda and Márcio stopped in front of Venâncio.
Rita watched from a distance, in silence.

Márcio tried to speak.
Venâncio didn’t let him.
He pulled Linda forcefully, as if Márcio were an entity about to take her away.

— Get out of here, boy. I have nothing to say to you. Leave!

Márcio tried to handle the situation calmly. It didn’t work.

— I have nothing to discuss with you. Disappear. Don’t come back.

Márcio lowered his head. Walked backward, eyes fixed on Venâncio.
Then turned and left without another word.

Linda pulled away from her father and ran to her room.
She locked the door. She didn’t want contact with the world anymore.

That situation disturbed Venâncio.
His princess was sad.
She was suffering — and it hurt him in a strange way.

At Linda’s bedroom door

— Princess… come eat. Come with your father.
I bought ice cream, the one you like.
I just want what’s best for you, my love. Come.

— See what you’re doing, Venâncio? Look at the girl’s state! You’re not right in the head…
— I want what’s best for our daughter.
— And what harm would that boy do to her? For me, it’d even be good — someone to walk with her to school.
— Rita, you’ve always been naïve.

Venâncio placed a hand on his chest. Took a deep breath.
Forced a cough.

Doctor Juliano had already warned him:
he needed to cut fat, take care of his heart.

— Venâncio, you’re not well. Sit here. — Rita pulled a chair.
— I’ll call the doctor!
— No need… I’ll manage.

He forced another cough, cleared his throat, and stabilized.
Minutes later, Linda came out.

— What happened, dad?
— Chest pain. But it’s gone. Come eat.

Linda served herself in silence, ate just enough, and went back to her room.

— Lindinha…
— Leave her, Venâncio. You asked for it. Now deal with it.

The afternoon dragged on — Linda isolated, Venâncio drained, and Rita sitting helplessly between them.

The next morning…

There would be a choir performance at school.
It would be late morning, after classes.
Linda told her mother she might be late.

That night, Rita didn’t mention anything to Venâncio.
They sat silently watching TV.
Linda stayed locked in her room.

Later, she opened the door just to ask for her blessing:
— Bless me, mom. Dad.
— God bless you, my daughter — said Rita.
Venâncio was already asleep.

Linda lay down. Thought. Thought some more.
The night slipped slowly away.

Morning

Linda got ready in a hurry. Ate cereal and left quickly.
Venâncio got up fast too — but it was too late.
She had already gone.

He stood at the gate, watching… until she turned the corner.

Rita approached:
— There’s a choir performance today, at the end of class.
— Oh. I’ll be there. Watching closely.
— Venâncio… let the girl live.
— You’re too naïve. I already told you. I’ll be there at noon.

11:30 AM — they left the house.

Near the school

— Look, Venâncio! Our girl! — Rita pointed.

His eyes lit up.
Seeing Linda singing… it was sublime.
Pride filled his chest.

That magical moment…
collapsed into darkness.

Márcio approached Linda after the performance —
and kissed her.

Venâncio, overcome by something uncontrollable, ran.
Attacked the boy, threw him to the ground.
Linda screamed.
Rita tried to stop him.

Venâncio froze.
Looked into the distance.
Went silent.

Suddenly, his body arched back.
He screamed — a scream that broke the limits of Água Morna.

He fell.