little bird | a.p

ONE

The hot Rio sun beamed on my tanned skin. I let out a breath and wiped the sweat from my forehead, while probably staining it with grease. My blonde, messy bun ticked my shoulder as I finished tightening the last part of the undercarriage of the car with my wrench.

"Aye, Maria," My Pai called to me. "I am running to the market, do you want anything?"

His rosey cheeks and sweet demeanour always put me as ease. "No, Pai Pai, I'll go for you." I said and put down my wrench.

"Oh, stay safe, my girl." He squeezed my hand.

"Always, Pai Pai."  I walked past him and out of the shop to our small house that was connected.

Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror, I noticed the car grease on my cheek and forehead and wiped it off with water. I changed from my jumpsuit to cargo pants and a tank top.

I swiftly walked out of our house and to the market, after waiving goodbye to my Pai. Since he goes once a day, I knew exactly what to get him. The people in my community do not see me different because of my looks. Since I grew up here, they know me as one of them. I mean, I am Brazilian, I just don't look it because of my mom.

I shook the thought from my head and walked on. I waved to a few people I recognised until I reached the market. Tons of fresh, colourful fruit filled my view. Buzzing people smiling and selling goods. I grabbed a burlap sack from the stand and started to shop. I picked 2 mangos and put them into my bag, and filled the rest of the sack with water, nuts, and other things. 

After my time at the market, I walked across the street to a small smoothie shack. I sat down at a small table and watched the people around me. I smiled at two boys who kicked a soccer ball back and forth. I noticed a man sitting alone at a table across from me. He seemed to be reading the news paper and circling things. Job hunting maybe. His chiseled face stood out to me. His larger hands grasped the marker he was holding, making it look so small.

My order was called and I quickly ran to grab it. I turned back to my table and sipped my smoothie. The man across from me got up from his seat, gave me a small glance and turned to exit the shack. When he did, I noticed money fall from his pocket onto the floor. He didn't seem to notice.

I immediately got up and grabbed the cash, and went after him.

"Uh, excuse me?" I called out to him. He stopped walking and turned towards me. His demeanour was very stern, but I could tell he was polite. A look of surprise took over his face. "You dropped this." I said and held out the money for him.  His figure towered over me. He must've been at least six-five.

"You- you speak Portuguese?" He asked me with his deep voice.

I knew he would be surprised since I haven't seen him as a local here. "Yes, I was born here." I waved the money to him again.

"Thank you." He said and grabbed it gently from me, making our fingers touch. "You live around here?" He put the money in his back pocket.

I furrowed my eye brows and he seemed to notice. "No, no, I mean are you local to here." He waved his hands. "I just moved to his area and am looking for work." He sheepishly put his hand on the back of his neck.

"Aye.." I felt relieved. "My Pai is looking for someone for his tire shop." I said.

His face lit up. "Can you connect me?" He asked.

I could tell he was desperate. He must have family at home who rely on him. He was about my age and probably the man of his household.

"Follow me." Waved my arm and sipped my smoothie.

He walked along side me and listened to me as I gave him a small tour of my village. "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you my name." He spoke out. "I am Alex." He blushed at his own impoliteness.

"Oh, I am Maria!" I smiled at him.

I could feel a strange connection between us. He was handsome and very polite, not to mention tall and in shape. It seemed he liked me, too. There was something in me that hoped we would be hired. We walked about a mile until we reached the shop.

"Pai Pai!" I called out into the seemingly empty shop. I grew suspicious as it was quiet. "Pai?" I called again.

Alex accompanied my side. "Is no one here?" He asked me.

I shook my head. "There were workers here. My Pai is always out here in the shop."

I slowly walked around the shop until a clanking noise rang out. Alex grabbed my arm and pushed me behind him. A man jumped out from the corner with a metal pole ready to swing. I jumped and sent my mangos rolling on the ground.

As the man swung the pipe, Alex caught it and punched the man, knocking him out cold. He tumbled to the floor. Another man jumped out and landed a punch to Alex's face. He grunted in response but quickly recovered. I covered my eyes as Alex beat the man senseless. The shop was quiet again.

Just then, another man came running out but this time it was my Pai. Alex drew his fist back to swing but I jumped up and pulled his arm down. "No! My Pai!" I said to him.

My Pai yelled in fear at the big man. I let go of Alex's arm and ran hugged my Pai. "What happened?" I asked him. The men ran away, grunting and limping.

"These guys came in here yelling at my workers and demanded money!" He hugged my back but let me go. "Are you alright, my Maria?"

I nodded my head. My Pai looked up at Alex with a questioning face. Alex looked to me.

"Aye!" I announced. "Pai, this is Alex. Alex, this is my Pai."  They shook hands. "I met Alex at the smoothie hut and he is looking for work."

My Pai eyed him. "My name is Bernardo." He shook Alex's massive hand. "How did you know how to fight those men?" He asked him.

Alex took a small glance at me. "I learned boxing to protect."

My heart raced a little. I knew my Pai didn't like fighting. I wanted him to like Alex.

My Pai looked at me. "Mari, talk with me in the other room." I turned to Alex. "We'll be back." I hushed to him. He gave me a look I couldn't quite read. He was almost pleading.

"Pai?" I asked to my father for an explanation.

"Maria.. how could I hire him? He will cause trouble!" He yelled but in a hush tone. 

"Pai, he saved you and your shop." I pleaded. "He pushed me back so I didn't get hurt. He's good."

He held his face in his hand and looked at the ground to think. I looked back through the window at Alex. He stood in the shop with his hands in his pockets.

"Okay, Maria. I trust you." My Pai said.

I smiled at him, almost with excitement. Was I excited? I kissed my Pai on the cheek and ran back into the shop. I grabbed Alex's arm. "Alex! You are hired!" I smiled at him.

"Thank you." Alex said. I looked back over to my Pai and he smiled softly at me. I knew he would like him. "I can start training you tomorrow."