Ah, yes. The lard man was also another trendy legend to scare children into doing what they were told. He was called that because he had the ugly habit of murdering his victims to extract the fat from their bodies.

"Who knows, I've decided to stop thinking at this point. Taboada is right to say that it's much simpler to leave it as an accident; filling out reports about it has my head

spinning! I don't even want to talk about it, it's so boring," I said, resuming my initial curiosity when I reunited with my old friend. "Why don't you tell me more about why you're here? I imagine it has nothing to do with All Saints' Day."

"No, no, I don't even go to church, and you're going to send me ghost hunting!"

"Well, as far as I know, no deceased person has risen from their grave, either in the flesh or in spirit, to thank their descendants for visiting them on the first day."

"I suppose I'll go to the cemetery that day, anyway, if only to accompany my own, since I'm here," Leandro conceded, implying that if there was mass, he would stay, as always, smoking in front of the facade instead of going in. "But no, my stay here has nothing to do with vacations, the departed, or even with the family... Well, I did come to visit the family because it was nearby, but you know what I mean, that's not the main objective."

"And what is it?"

"I've been told about this project for a new bridge over the Sil, at the height of Parada, in case I would like to collaborate on the design. And I accepted. That's why I'm here, although the project won't officially start until mid-November, I wanted to take my own measurements and, in passing, rent an apartment near the office to stay while the project lasts."

"Oh, you won't be staying here?"

"Too many people, I wouldn't be able to concentrate. Besides, since we only have three rooms, I would live with the constant worry that in a slip-up, my papers would end up devoured by the pigs, in the stove, or in some worse place."

This concern was reasonable, even though his relatives didn't pose any impediment for Leandro to pursue his vocation. One mustn't forget that these people had young children. And like any child of that age, they played with whatever they found first. In such a small house, where they didn't even have a measly desk with a lock, any paper could be left in plain sight. Even the adults themselves could make a mistake and dispose of documents without consulting!

"No, I prefer to stay in Parada," Leandro reaffirmed. "It may not be as cozy, but at least I'll be more relaxed."

"I know there are people, older folks who no longer have their children here, who are renting out a room or two in these larger villages. I myself am renting one right now. It's nothing fancy, but maybe you could give it a try, if you don't mind the limited space..."

"Damn, no! Of course, it doesn't bother me! I may have gotten used to living alone and it might feel strange to stay in a populated home again, but I still appreciate a quiet space where I can relax, no matter how small it is. Anyway," he continued, after a brief pause, "I wasn't planning on taking anyone with me."

"Still not settled, then?" Just as he pretended not to have considered the possibility of renting another apartment in the village, I pretended to be surprised once again by his bachelorhood.

No, some things didn't change. Although, considering that we were both approaching our thirties, I supposed that sooner or later the day would come when my friend's answer to that question would change.

Today was not that day, however.

"It's kind of tough out there," he said, showing no concern whatsoever. "Leaving aside the issue of dating, I haven't been interested in anyone for months, it's boring!"

"It's not for lack of offers," I laughed, remembering something that Mrs. Herminia had whispered under her breath that same afternoon; a comment about Leandro that he didn't hear but that we all found amusing. "You know? Your grandmother is trying to set you up with the baker's middle daughter, and I think the said daughter is very much up for it."

"No... Not her!" Leandro looked horrified. Even more so than when they suggested he stay permanently in the same room with his nephews. "Come on, the girl isn't that ugly."

"You take her then!"

"No, thanks." While I didn't think she was such a bad catch, I had no interest in courting her, or anyone for that matter. "All I'm trying to say is that there's more to it than just looks, you could at least consider it."

"Yeah, more like cunning and malice. I know the baker's kids too well! They used to steal our eggs week in and week out when I was a kid."

"Maybe it's because there's a lack of eggs in this house..."

"And my father letting them watch over the house on fair days, when we were away for a day or two. Do you have any idea how greedy they are? They always took advantage of those moments to take a plate or a tray that they never returned!"

"That was a long time ago, they probably don't do it anymore."

I was sure, not because I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but because otherwise someone would have reported it to the barracks. Or well, they would have if the victims weren't so darn nice like the Malvedos and felt sorry for causing a small scandal in the community over the theft of a couple of pieces of little value.

"Whether they still do it or not, I'm not interested," Leandro pointed out resolutely, he seemed overly indignant, although it was all an act. "I got tired of chasing skirts a long time ago. To be precise, I got tired of it the moment they proposed it to me!"

"Then what's next?"

It was true that I didn't remember Leandro chasing girls in our childhood, or even showing interest in any; and maybe that was another reason why we got along so well. I never developed an interest in romance. So, while others were engrossed in various schemes to attract a young lady, we preferred to go fishing or hunting crickets on our own.

"Do you plan on waiting for someone to confess to you?" I continued tentatively.

"They could do it, it would be a nice change. We've always been taught that it's us who have to take the initiative, but they're perfectly capable of taking the lead too." Pausing here, he added somewhat nervously, "Oh, but I'm not saying I want them to confess to me. I'm perfectly fine being single, thank you!"

I thought this was the moment to suggest it. I hadn't hinted to Leandro about love affairs by mere chance, I really wanted to make sure that, in that short time since we hadn't spoken, he hadn't gotten engaged. And it was because I had an idea, as impulsive as it sounded after just a few hours of knowing that my friend was back in his village and intended to stay.

I wanted to ask him if he'd be interested in moving in with me. Because, although I was renting in someone else's home, my room was spacious enough to fit another bed. And I didn't think the landlady would mind too much if I brought in another tenant.

I was going to ask him when I heard Leandro beat me to it:

"And what about you? Have you not found anyone either?"

"It's not like I'm actively looking."

"True, you never do. Too much work?"

"Enough," I confessed, feeling a pang of guilt.

Leandro wasn't the only one who had questioned me about these matters. Whenever I ran into someone I hadn't seen in a while, the same doubt arose. Why wasn't I married yet? And the answer I usually gave at first was that I hadn't considered it, that I lacked interest. Now, with the years piling up and most of my generation having already walked down the aisle, I leaned more towards the practical explanation that I was too busy with my work.

It wasn't true, of course. But it was better to say this so the other person wouldn't insist, arguing that I should give more consideration to these matters, going to the extent of suggesting that I meet some woman.

"In fact, I spent the whole afternoon wondering..." Leandro continued; if he knew about my little white lie to avoid undesirable topics, he was doing a good job of ignoring it— "Do you even take off your uniform to sleep? I don't know much about the 'Guardia

Civil,' but you must be pretty serious to show up at an informal visit in your work uniform. Or are you on duty right now?"

"No, no, it's just habit. With the lack of staff around here, it seems people need constant proof that there's someone in uniform watching over their safety. I tend to go in civilian clothes on Sundays and holidays."

"Really? Well, I hope to see you tomorrow at church in your casual attire, it's so weird to see you like this...!" Leandro laughed; it was true that I had never had the chance to see myself in my work clothes since I left the academy— "And then, in the afternoon, if you're not too tired, you can accompany me to visit my cousin Rodrigo. I've been told that he could practically accommodate me in his house for free, and since he lives near where we plan to have the office, I think it's worth taking a look before deciding to rent anywhere else."

I nodded and agreed to accompany him, masking my lack of enthusiasm with a feeble smile. My resolution to ask him to move in with me vanished as quickly as it came, and soon I found myself trying to convince myself that it would have been a stupid idea anyway. Because even though there was enough space in my room for another bed, adding a dresser would be complicated. Let alone a table or desk, that was out of the question.

Maybe it was for the best that Leandro found another, more spacious place.

I regretted the missed opportunity a little, but for now, I preferred to focus on the present. And the present, embodied by one of Leandro's sisters announcing that dinner was ready, dictated that for the moment I would simply enjoy the company I had received. For however long it lasted.

In the end, it didn't matter much whether my friend shared a home with me or not, what mattered was that he had returned. And, considering that neither of us was idle enough to see each other often, we had to seize the moment however we could.