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Frank remembered with crystal clarity the day his father boarded the ship to South America.
The day was radiant, and every word from his father carried an infectious optimism.
Eustakio handed a modest sum of money to his wife, then climbed the ladder to board the ship, disappearing beneath the deck's canopy.
Each month, a letter arrived from Eustakio, and Frank eagerly awaited them.
Through his father's vivid descriptions, Frank imagined the vast ocean, the dense rainforests, and the vibrant cultures of South America. Eustakio faced challenges—the hardships of the journey, the unfamiliarity of the language—but nothing was strong enough to break his indomitable spirit.
At home, however, life grew increasingly difficult. Frank's mother, Nelka, became more and more strained with each passing day.
The cost of living began to rise, and she was forced to make sacrifices, giving up one thing to afford another. Some days there was no meat on the table; on others, there was no charcoal to heat the stove.
Despite this, Frank proudly shared stories of his father's adventures with his schoolmates.
But then, one day, a different kind of letter arrived—a letter bearing the seal of the Polish government.
The letter stated that Eustakio had gone missing deep in the rainforests of Brazil.
To Frank's sadness, Nelka did not show any surprise. Her face remained stoic, as if she had been expecting this news all along
