Dancing Dream

Arriving in Rio de Janerio

"Que? Crinças?" said a voice that startled us awake. It was a man. "De onde você é? Onde é teu ma mai?"

Before we could answer any of his questions, we darted away and hid behind a few barrels by the docks. We peaked around to see where we were. It certainly looks like Rio de Janerio. I looked up and saw the statue of Jesus Christ de Redeemer. 

"Sure looks like it,"Duarte said. "That is the statue of Christ."

"Where to now?"

"I guess find a place to stay, or we can look for the dance school."

"I don't know. I'm really hungry."

"Hmm..."

Duarte looked around and saw a man selling apples for a centavo each. he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins.

"Where did you get those?"

"I found them around the orphanage growing up. I'll go get us each an apple."

He walked up and showed the man his coins. He took a few from Duarto's hand and let him pick a couple apples from the basket. 

As I watched him pick apples, the same man from earlier  popped up behind me.

"Garotinha? Você bem?" 

He took me by the arm and I screamed. Duarte and the apple seller, along with other people, looked at us. Duarte dropped the apples and ran to my aid.

"let her go!" he cried.

The man picked him up with his other arm, "I'll take you too."

"Let them go," said the apple salesman.

"Why? Do these kids belong to you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Now drop them."

"Fine," he said as he dropped us to the ground and walked off.

"Thank you," Duarte said. 

"No problem. What are your names and where are you from?"

"Well, I'm Duarte and this is Andressa. We're from an orphanage in São Paulo."

"Orphans?"

"Yes."

"Come with me. i don't live far. You too can stay in my spare room. I don't mind the company."

 I hugged him tightly.

"Es não problema. You don't talk very much do you, Andressa. Beautiful name by the way."

"She's just scared. It's our first time in Rio de Janerio."

"There's no need to be afraid. My name is James. Vamo ir to my casa."

He closed his shop and we left for his place. We followed him through crowed streets. I held his hand so I wouldn't get lost. Eventually we made a turn down  a dirt path that led to a beautiful little farm house surrounded by an apple orchard. 

We continued walking down the dirt path all the way to the house. James opened his mailbox and pulled out a key to unlock the door. Inside  as a small kitchen, a multi-purpose room that consisted of a living and dining room along with a shelf full of games and puzzles. To the left appeared to be the master bed, but we didn't see any other doors besides the back door and a closet door.

"If that's your room, "Duarte started. "Where's ours?"

"Follow me this way," James said.

He led us to a stair well near the kitchen. He walked on ahead of us to show that we were in no danger. He opened the door at the top to the attic space which had two twin beds, two dressers, a small table, a carpet and a window.

"This room is usually for my nephews when they stay for the summer, but I suppose you two can stay here for the time being."

"Thank you," Duarte said.

"No problem, I'll call you down when lunch is ready.