FIRST NOTE
February 2nd, 2006
1. Today, my dad brought me to fish with him, and for the first time he told me to grab a rod. Many kids would've liked to get a toy on their birthday, but to me, it was the best gift ever.
2. I never knew when would I finally be able to learn the family's business. I guess that 12 is also the same age my father began as well.
3. I caught 2 ginormous trouts. I mean, they were bigger than me. My dad didn't catch anything, which is weird since he is the best fisherman I've ever seen. But I think he lost the fishes on purpose, so I could feel better saying I caught more than him on my first day. I'm pretty sure my grandpa did the same with him.
4. When we were going back, I suggest him to take a shrotcut on a dirt path that was close to his store. I've seen that path on the map we have home, and I knew it would be like 3 times faster to get it.
5. But my dad immediately said no. He told me that it was the Badboys Alley, some kind of place where criminals and junkies rule and ask an absurd amount of coins to pass through.
6. It really got me scared, so I never talked about it again.
7. When we got back to our home, I took a shower to get the bad smell out. We had dinner, but not before saying grace, like every night.
8. I honestly don't think it's so important. I mean, there are a lot of people like us, in poverty and misery, and I don't see this 'God' helping neither them or us.
9. After eating, we play some card games with an old deck. But today was my birthday, like I said. So, my mom made a big cake for me.
10. Before I blew the candles, she told me to make a wish, like always. And also like always, I wished the same: that I would be a great fisherman like my dad, and have a great family as well.
11. Then, we go to sleep. I always see my mom on her knees doing some weird gesture holding her hands together. I also see my brother with his eyes closed.
12. They say it's how we pray, to thank the Lord for one more day of life, food, and water. Well, I've already talked about what I think.
13. And just like that, my birthday was completed.
SECOND NOTE
August 16th, 2014
14. Today, my father prepared us for a celebration in a village a little far from here. He said he sold a fish for this man whose land wasn't producing any food.
15. Even though bigger fishes cost more, my dad was always a saint, so he gave this man the biggest fish he captured that week, and didn't charge a dime!
16. The man was in tears and wanted to express his gratitude by inviting our family to his daughter's birthday.
17. Ok, I thought it would be a way more important party, but it happens to be the most significant one in that man's village
18. The story behind it is that their homes were in total disgrace. The lands were rotting their crops, the river was dirty and thick, and the people were getting older and older as no woman would become pregnant.
19. They thought they were cursed, until the day that somehow one of the women got pregnant.
20. In the next day, the plantation was growing back, the water in the river was pure and drinkable again, and a few more women started to feel sick, and subsequently pregnant.
21. They called it a miracle, and the day that this girl was born, she was name Nina Esther, after the queen that freed the jewish.
22. So, we went to the celebration. As soon as I met Nina, my jaw dropped. I've never seen someone so gorgeous. I talked to her and we quickly had a connection.
23. But, unfortunately, I also met her "boyfriend". I mean, she is forced to marry him in the future, whenever their parents want to. That is just digusting.
24. Before I left, she called me in an empty hallway, gave me a tight hug, and kissed my cheek. She thanked me for being such a good person and helping her feel better.
25. My heart was so warm and pumping, I felt like it would jump off of my chest. After me and my family left the village, I knew that I had found love at first sight.
THIRD NOTE
January 16th, 2018
26. Since that party, I've been exchanging letters with my beloved Nina. We are too poor to buy any kind of that big electric box that sends messages instantly. But, every sixteenth day of August, my father would take us to her village.
27. Our connection was so intense, but also full of respect. But, at this New Year, she sent me a final letter.
28. She said that she loved me, but also loved her now fiancee. She also said that it would be a sin to keep nurturing our relationship, and she would have to let me go.
29. She thanked me, and said she owed her entire joy to me, and hoped I could find in someone a deeper connection than we had
30. I fell to the ground, in tears. But I wouldn't let that man marry her, I knew he didn't love that angel enough.
31. I wrote a letter, and with a few coins that I saved for an emergency, I bribed the mailman to give to her fiancee in private and secret. And so, it was done, a few days later.
32. I'd never tell what I wrote in that letter to anyone. The only thing I needed to know, was that he was found dead in the Badboys Alley. According to the experts, he would've tried to pass the tunnel without paying the taxes to the drug dealers.
33. After that, my dear Nina left everything behind, and used her coins to buy a ride to my house. She arrived here today. She burst in tears with her head on my shoulders, and I comforted her.
34. But how the hell was I supposed to live with this guilt? I left my emotions speak louder.
35. So, I got on my knees, in the field where I used to fish with my dad. I held my hands together just like my mom do every day before she sleeps. And I closed my eyes just like my brother do when he asks God for help.
36. Not even 10 seconds after that, I heard an harmonious voice talking to me. He offered me forgiveness, and told me that He had great plans for me.
37. Now, I tell you this, because I know you'll take care of my past, my brother.
38. Because the future belongs to God, my savior.
Thanks for sharing me your secrets.
With love,
Mark.
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