Blood-drenched Beard

After a night of sleep like any other, he wakes up on October 30, 2008, in a dirty, mold-infested apartment, with no money and no job but with no fear either. He phones a laundry service and arranges to have them pick up his dirty clothes. He phones Saucepan, who tells him that at the moment there is no way he can have his old job as swimming instructor back. The new instructor is doing well, and he has no reason to replace him. Besides which, it wouldn’t be fair to the guy. The number of people using the pool has actually picked up a little. He tells Saucepan that it’s not a problem and congratulates him on the success of the gym. Then he goes out for lunch and stops at an ATM to withdraw the last of his savings. He phones Sara and asks if she thinks Douglas would agree to fix his teeth and let him pay the following month, presuming he doesn’t know anything about the day of the barbecue, etc. She calls him back a few minutes later with an appointment time. Back at the apartment, he starts cleaning. He is scrubbing the floor with bleach when he hears someone clapping to get his attention outside the window. He doesn’t recognize the strong, tanned young man smiling at him.

Good afternoon.

Afternoon. Who are you?

Don’t you remember me, Tom Hanks?

He invites the man in.

All I can offer you is cold water.

No problem. I stopped by here a few days ago to see if you’d survived, but the windows were shut. Are you okay?

I’m still a bit weak. I spent a few days in the hospital. I had a bad bout of pneumonia.

Do you remember what happened that day on the beach?

Yep. I fell off a headland near Pinheira in the middle of the storm and swam all night trying to get to a beach.

And you ended up on Siriú? From Pinheira to Siriú?

I guess so. I must have caught a current.

Beta comes through the door and goes to drink water from her bowl.

So that’s the dog you went to get back from the guy.

You hear about it?

Everyone heard about it. They told me not to come and see you.

Huh? Why?

I dunno. People invent stories.

What stories?

The man raises his eyebrows.

Forget it, he says. Tell me something, when’s that course for volunteer lifeguards that you told me about?

End of November. It runs for three weeks. There’s a theoretical component and a practical one. The problem’s the practical component. They put you through the wringer.

But if you pass, you’ll have work all summer?

It starts just before Christmas and goes until Carnival, at least.

How much does it pay?

It’s pretty good. A hundred reais a day. Even counting days off, you bring in over two thousand a month. Did you mean what you said? About giving me a hand with my swimming?

I meant it. But I want to do the course too. Where do you sign up?

At the fire department. Over in Palhocinha.

Great. Just give me a few more days ’cause I’m still a bit weak, but we can start next week. Meet me here at eight in the morning, even if it’s raining, if there’s a northeasterly blowing, whatever. What’s your name?

Aírton. Are you going to charge me for it?

Absolutely not. Take down my phone number.