One of these things

Corporal had a flag of Santos Football Club on today. Not only Corporal, but there were others in other windows nearby. Brazilians keep their faith in football, no matter how badly they have criticized Brazilian football before. Some people say the best way for the team to play is booed at. This is how they've won some of the tournaments and championships before. The kids are waiting for Rodrigo to come to start the practice. Some give themselves away to some light warm-up before he walks in, but I don't see Figueira anywhere.
"Saw that goal in ten minutes? The way Robinho passed by the two backs, put the ball in the middle of the area and passed by the goalie too?", said Galhardo, bringing up Santos and Paysandu.
"Brilliant, but 6-0 over Paysandu was still a loss, very lucky they were they didn't take two more", replied Morales.
Haven't asked the boys in order not to disturb their warm-up, but the receptionist tells me she hasn't seen him so far. "He's a bit late for the practice, maybe watched the game at home", she said, shrugging. Then I decided to ask the kids his whereabouts.
"The last time we saw him", said Panotti, "was yesterday, when Mr. Costa left him at home after the meet. Maybe he's not coming today. Maybe he is sick or celebrating victory."
"What victory?"
"Santos' over Paysandu, of course." and he smiled.
I didn't like Panotti's mocking tone of voice at all. Walked out of Corporal, heading for Figueira's. Found him sitting on the banks of Canal 4, rippling the water with stones he threw almost parallel to the water. The dejected expression I have almost gotten used to seeing him assume; an expression that tells me something is not working.
"Rodrigo and the kids are waiting for you at Corporal", I said, laying my hands on his shoulders.
He turned to look at me, startled. His face was now angry.
"Why waiting for me? Because they can't wait to make some more fun of me? So they can say, like yesterday, that they would have to build an eight-step stand to place me?"
"I didn't hear they say a word yesterday", I said, surprised.
"Course not", he said, "not when you were in the van."
"Zangrandi too?"
"Zangrandi is my buddy, but he couldn't make a stand alone."
Yeah, just one of these things people say when in need of help. Just one. And I think that if Panotti really respects him as I heard from him and Rodrigo he does, he can be only be doing it to hurt his pride and bring him to action. It's the only theory that separates me from total confusion about these young minds.

A Sunday meet | Premonition

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