CHAPTER IX
REDEMPTION.
By now it was evening and the shops were closing. It was a good time to talk to Pedro, and were well aware of what the three people of color who were waiting outside the room.
"I'm not lucky, even in this," said Trovaperdi seeing people waiting outside the bar. "They also probably need to work," not to utter words that ended one of the three blacks extend heartfelt greetings, before approaching.
Abul: "Hey, brother," said one of the three. "I've never seen your name?".
Trovaperdi: "My name is ... uh ... Richard," he said after a moment's hesitation.
Abul, smiling: "Do not worry Richard, it also happens to me sometimes do not understand who I am or what I do here. Rather, what an odd name that you got to be one of us. "
Trovaperdi: "Oh, yes! I'm here because I try to work. They told me that Mr. Pedro is well prepared to welcome in his bar for small jobs, even people like us, "she said without surprise that he uttered those words.
- Then I have informed good! - Said Abul - Pedro is very kind and generous. I worked with him for so long and now I have come to greet him to come home to my family -.
- Ah, so you were not here to get a job! -.
- No! - He said, turning to see the other two black guys who were with him and, after being shown, he said: - They are Sindal and Nem, two of my cousins. They work at the steel in the suburbs and still can not return home. They came to accompany me. Come that I present them to you -.
Trovaperdi, manifestatogli amazed at the warmth and the gentle ways of Abul, followed him.
- Sindal! Nem! This is Richard and he came to look for work by Pedro - and smiling, Abul continued - Pedro has already found a replacement -.
- What special name you, Richard. Where are you from? - Sindal wonder, the largest of them, contacting Trovaperdi.
- Um ... I am a resident also well Accolville - said to evade the answer.
- It 's still lost boys - Abul said, smiling - I do not harass with your interrogators -.
While Trovaperdi was talking with the three boys who were waiting before the bar of the station, a man of small stature, but with air chubby greeted warmly sympathetic approached Abul.
- Abul, dear! So the time has come. Come home? - Asked Pedro.
- Yes, Mr. Pedro! I return to my family and I came to thank you very much for letting me work and treating me so kindly. These are my cousins - said, pointing to - they came to know, since I have always spoken very highly of her -.
Pedro greeted with a big smile and Sindal Nem, then embrace Abul hard before letting him go.
- Ah, Pedro! You already have my replacement: Richard! - Abul said, pointing Trovaperdi, and then walked away with the two cousins to the trains, waving back and Pedro Trovaperdi.
- Well! You are Rich, then? -.
- Yes, sir. I need to work -.
Pedro, without the hassle of applications, beckoned him to enter. "Come on Richard. Today I really need someone that I pulisse the floor. There was a birthday party and the kids have smeared throughout the room. Would you like to do it? ".
Trovaperdi, having nodded, he was amazed at the salary proposed by Pedro, but it corresponded to the salary paid to his hated Santino, I accept immediately and took the equipment, immediately set to work.
Trovaperdi, Pedro worked hard until he saw the late hour, he said - enough for today Richard. You did a good job, better than we are now going to bed because tomorrow is waiting for us ... -.
While Pedro uttered these words of the boys, threw a bucket of black ink in the windows, shouting: - Dirty traitor! -.
Pedro Trovaperdi and rushed out to see who had been to no avail. The thugs were now gone.
Pedro, disconsolate, said: - Do not worry, Richard, are the usual thugs who do not want me to give work to young people like you. But do not worry -.
In the meantime, he saw the window of his bar, all smeared with black, and said to himself: - Poor me! They want me to go to ruin. Tanned with the locals so it will take me all morning to clean it up. No one will be close to my bar with this scarring -.
- I wiped it during the night. Do not worry, tomorrow will be clean the bar for customers - a rush Trovaperdi said, almost to the builder having a mark of recognition for having taken.
- But there is so much to clean up. You'll be up all night -.
Trovaperdi, almost happy to distance itself from the danger of sleep traitor, and said again, forcefully: I do it willingly, just give me a bucket and a rag and see tomorrow. "
Pedro, before closing the local pulled out the bucket and rags to clean and addressing Trovaperdi, said: "I would not make it to work all night. I am old and I still have to get up early tomorrow. If you can clean up everything you'll be very grateful and think as a reward.
- There is no need, I already made a gift and then ... it's better if I do not sleep -.
Pedro did not understand the last words saluted affectionately Trovaperdi but before leaving, tired from the long day's work gone.
Trovaperdi worked hard until the first light of dawn. The work was actually very difficult because the ink had expanded by creating halos everywhere. Trovaperdi, however, worked and finally happy with his mind free of thoughts, he worked for the sake of it, for the pleasure to thank a person who had actually expressed a sincere and generous from the outset, despite its current condition.
About six o'clock in the morning, Pedro had returned to his bar and when he saw the work done by Trovaperdi was amazed.
- But you've really worked all night! - Pedro said - Wow, my bar looks new. Shines like never before "and Trovaperdi looked with eyes of admiration and gratitude.
- You'll be dead tired and hungry - he added - Come inside and we have breakfast together, "he said after opening the bar.
Trovaperdi, although tired, was happy for the first time after the series of mishaps and had breakfast with Pedro, enjoying the pleasant breakfast.
- These strudel is better than Mario, "said almost involuntarily - and Pedro Trovaperdi said, smiling: - Why were you at the Bar of Victory? Mario does not seem much like a cozy -.
Trovaperdi, smiled, sharing what had been said, but I refrain from responding.
Pedro and asked him to tell him something of his life.
- Oh, my life is confusing and full of challenging problems - responded in a generic way to avoid telling everything and be taken for mad.
- It may seem strange - Pedro said - but they all started out so when I asked this question - he smiled and thereby avoid the problems that plagued Trovaperdi at that moment, then said, - However, remember that all problems have a solution that directly or indirectly depends on our decisions or our way of acting -.
Trovaperdi stood amazed in hearing this, particularly because the speech could very well refer to his strange case.
- That this small and friendly person is actually right! - I think - What is happening to me could be the punishment for my dislike of Santino, the cheesy cigarettes, public transport full of people and especially towards people of color and homeless people.
Pedro, meanwhile, had changed the subject, as telling the story of life stirred his interlocutor: "What do you like? In what are you responsible? "He said looking at the face of Trovaperdi to see his reaction to the new topic of discussion.
Trovaperdi, Pedro smiled with pleasure and began to speak: - Mr Pedro, to what may seem strange but I'm responsible for financial and commercial - and Pedro, surprised: - Actually it is not common, "he stopped as a moment to reflect and then said: - So if I need some advice on the expansion of my business you would know give it to me? These trade--.
- Of course! ... Throughout my life I have attended people who had studied the matter and I'm passionate too - he said, as if to justify a skill that could well be called weird for a black man need to work to avoid starvation, as he was at that time.
- Well! You're just the person I needed. I few days I had to go in the important study of legal advice here in front of - he said, pointing
with wonder Trovaperdi, his old studio - - I had to ask for advice on how to expand my business. Many customers have asked me to bar products or services that I did not and now I wanted to know how to get soft loans to implement this project -.
Trovaperdi, as he had done with his clients, speak with precision, making note of existing regulations and circulars on the subject and eventually added - however, Mr Pedro to be honest, I suggest, however, to go in the studio she showed me because, while the presentation at Financial Banks or someone like me is not worth anything, that here in front of the Financial Studio has a considerable weight in order to achieve the result -.
Pedro, amazed at the power manifested, said: "You're amazing Richard! Thank you for your valuable advice. I confess, however, that I would never have expected a lot of professionalism, competence and honesty in your advice. " Then he stopped to think again, launching, from time to time, to Trovaperdi looks almost better to study what was going to propose and then said, "How would you like to become my partner if the operation is in port?".
Trovapersi, flattered by the proposal: - I? I just know Mr. Pedro. Why I do this proposal? -.
- I need people who devote themselves to work without complaining. The work you did with dedication and commitment during the night I had already hit. Then, I need a competent person like you in the commercial and financial to keep things under control. ... I would have great pleasure if I accepted -.
Trovaperdi, happy for the estimation guadagnatasi in such a short time, warmly thanked Pedro.
When the time came close, Pedro saw the signs of tiredness Trovaperdi for the great work continued throughout the night and asked him: "You have to rest a while" and without waiting for the obvious answer said, "No, because you might be to rest at my house a few hours. It would be also a reason for me to repay the valuable advice that you gave me. "
Trovaperdi accepted the invitation and once home he fell asleep without worrying about Pedro of his future and sleep without fear of what would have been able to steal again.