Molecule

Chapter 3: Disease

The honeymoon days passed like a three-minute song. When you realize it, the music has already ended, and you put it on repeat... Unfortunately, there is no 'repeat' function in life, not the same day, nor the same occasions. Life simply wasn't meant to rewind or go back. Life only moves in one direction: forward.

On the trip back, we talked about our routines from then on, about work and where our next trip would be.

"Paris! I've always wanted to visit that place!" I suggest, very excited.

"Of course! It must be magnificent! But why don't we explore more of our Brazil before going abroad? We hardly know anything about our 'inner beauty'!" Ezra suggests, raising a valid point.

"Yeah, you're right. I know very little about our country. I think I've only been to the Iguaçu Falls in Foz, the beaches of the Paraná coast, and Ilha do Mel. I think that's it," I reply, delving into my memories to see if there were any other tourist spots I was forgetting.

"And what about the Lençóis Maranhenses? The Xingó Canyon?! The Amazon Rainforest? The Blue Lake Grotto?! The pools of Maragogi?! No?" he asks, sounding as indignant as if I were the only one who had never been to those places.

"Oh, Ezra... Do you already know all these places?! Am I the only one who doesn't travel in this life?!" I say, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Of course not, love! I barely leave São José dos Campos! I hardly know the state of São Paulo and Paraná! I just read about these destinations on dozens of websites..." he comments, laughing. "After all, we're coming back from our honeymoon, remember?!"

Oh, right! I was starting to think you were the 'tourism master'! I say, letting go of my annoyance.

"Love, what do you think of the name Thomas?" he asks, thoughtfully.

"Why? Are you pregnant? Because I'm not!" I say sarcastically, then I place my left hand on his neck, caressing it as I watch him drive. "I like it."

"What? My neck?" he asks, confused.

"No, my love. The name. Thomas. I like it," I respond affectionately, with pauses. "But what if it's a girl?! Have you thought about that?"

"What? Are you actually pregnant?!" he says, looking at me completely astonished.

"No, Ezra! Not yet! But since you brought it up... Now I want to continue the conversation!" I say patiently.

"Ah, yes!" I notice great relief on his face. "I haven't thought of a female name yet..."

"I have! I'm thinking of Amanda or Laura... What do you think?" I ask him with a big smile.

"Laura?! Amanda?! Seriously?" he retorts in such a dismissive way that I myself reconsider the names.

"You don't like them? Well, I do, okay?!" I immediately remove my hand from his neck.

"If I like one of those names, will you keep caressing me?"

"You and your irresistible charm, huh?" I reply as I return my hand to caress him.

I think for a moment.

"And Evelyn? What do you think?"

"I like Evelin... but with an 'i,' not with a 'y'..." he responds after a brief pause.

"Not with an 'i'! With a 'y,' it's much cooler! Just imagine the detail on the wedding invitation? It will add that extra touch..." I speak enchanted by our agreement on the name.

"The baby isn't even born yet, and you're already planning her wedding?!"

"Oh, I just thought about it, that's all, sweetheart! But it can be Evelin with an 'i' too. I'm okay with that!"