Building My Life

Chapter 20 Let's Go to the Party

Melissa has a jolt. “Aren't you inviting me to a party like this that we see in the movies? Where will be drinks, drugs, and sex?”

The two friends look at Melissa for a few seconds, as if they don't know what to do, or what to lie to her.

Finally, the two smile and assure her, “No! None of that, dear friend, what is it! It’s a safe party. There will be residents of Rainbow Garden and Saint Gabriel, it's a good start.”

Melissa smiles in excitement. They're not guys from Europe Garden, but it's worth it. The school bell is sounded and the three enter the rest of the students with the class.

Meanwhile, Uélton approaches Josias; the two have already finished the job and are being released by Romualdo.

"Rest for tomorrow, young people," He says this and walks away to join the adult masons.

Uélton is washing his hands with water coming out of a hose. "Anyway, the job is over. Are you up for a party today, Josias?"

Josias raises his eyebrows in surprise. The first day was strenuous, Uélton spent the whole day making jokes that he couldn't bear, but now he has the mood for parties?

"I do not know dude." Josias takes the hose to wash. "Today was a strenuous day."

"Oh, and you don't have any other clothes to go to, do you?" Uélton, without realizing it, makes a joke telling the truth. Josias hadn't even remembered that.

"To tell you the truth, I don't." Josias is sorry. "I never went to parties."

"Well, there will be one here in the favela, and your chick will probably go." Uélton smiles mischievously.

Josias smiles from the corner of his mouth. Seeing Melissa would never be too much for him. The problem would be what to wear. Uélton, realizing that his friend is thoughtful and inclined to accept, proposes, "My older brother must be your size, maybe he will borrow some clothes."

Josias, in another life, would have strongly refused. But, as he is now, he couldn't refuse. It’s better than showing up at the party wearing Teodoro's baggy clothes. "OK, I accept!"

"Great, go over to the house. I'll teach you where it is."

After Uélton teaches the address, Josias goes home. He informs Teodoro as if he were his father.

"I'm going to a party at night, Seu Teodoro. Is there a problem?" He stops at the counter.

"No problem, my boy." Teodoro smiles widely. "Are you going there with someone?"

"At the construction site there is a boy named Uélton and he invited me. I am going to his house and he is going to lend me some clothes."

"Ah, sure, son!" Teodoro chuckles, "My outdated clothes are not going to serve you to impress girls."

Josias shakes his head. "That's not what I meant..."

"Calm down, boy." Teodoro hands him the room key, "I understand, and it better be like this. Good fun. But, please, don't get in trouble. If the party falls on that side, come back here immediately."

Josias promises this and goes up to his room. When he takes the towel to bathe, he realizes that he will have to go to Uélton's house in the same clothes. Sweatpants have already been soiled with cement, and this time it won't be easy to wash. Maybe Uélton will take a step back.

And that is exactly what happens when Josias appears at Uélton's house. As he said, the friend's house is another one that was built close to the sidewalk. Everyone who passes by on the street sees Uélton's father lying on the couch watching television and sees Uélton's mother preparing dinner.

However, the rooms are at the back of the house, which is a good thing. In Uélton's room, he's shaking his head at Josias's look. "No, man, I'm going to lend you a towel and you take a shower."

"I already took it at Seu Teodoro's building!" Josias protests.

"Well then, you got dirty again just by putting back those clothes you used to work on the construction site." With the words, the actions: Uélton opens the drawer of his dresser and takes out a clean towel, handing it to Josias. Josias sighs as he surrenders and accepts the towel.

After taking a shower for the second time, Josias comes into his friend's room only wrapped in the towel, and Uélton is once again frowning. "What is it now?"

"Josias, I ended up seeing your brief." Uélton reacts as if he is touching a delicate point, "And I think you need to borrow one too."

Josias reacts negatively. Will he already wear another male's clothes, now underwear too?

"Negative, that's too much!" Josias makes a bold and unexpected decision. "I'll go commando, then! Iron your brother's pants and shirt, and excuse me to get dressed."