I will fill your Days with Life

13. Epilogue

FIVE YEARS LATER

It is quite possible that my hand fell asleep from writing the same words so many times. I feel a tingling that runs through my hands and up to my elbow. I try shaking it, hoping to get the blood circulating again, but there is no relief.

Right now, I am seriously thinking of designing a stamp that says: 'With love, Juliana Valdes' or 'Thanks for coming, Juliana Valdes'. Then I would just have to dip it in the ink and place it on the paper.

Ok... I know it is probably not the best idea and many of you may think that's have lost my humility over the years, it's not like I am a famous Hollywood actress. But until you have spent two hours, sitting in a chair, repetitively signing your signature thousands of times, you have no idea.

At the beginning the signature is perfect because it has been rehearsed so many times. But after an hour it becomes a scrawl like something on a prescription. And now... almost two hours later... it looks more like an indecipherable type of Egyptian hieroglyph that archaeologists would study.

Well, there is something I haven't lost over the years, my ability to exaggerate. And the truth is, I actually love it. And why hide it? The feeling of having all those people in front of me is a unique sensation. The people who come are always so enthusiastic, they want to give me hug, a kiss, take a photograph or are happy to leave with my doodle as a souvenir.

This book, for one reason or another reached their hands and hopefully their hearts. I can see it in their eyes when I look up and meet them with a smile. People of all ages, teenagers, adults, the elderly. Older or younger... it doesn't matter. They all come holding my story in their hands. A story that for some reason managed to capture them, in the same way that it conquered me five years ago.

"One more and you're done, Juliana." I hear my editor's voice warning me from behind. I look up for a moment and am surprised to see many people still in line. I try to shoot him a questioning look. Despite wanting to order a mechanical arm, I don't like the idea of ​​leaving all these readers without what they came for. But before my gaze reached Carlos, I was forced to stop abruptly on the person in front of me.

A girl of about fifteen, with light brown hair, an innocent smile and beautiful blue eyes, full of hope. She shyly offered me her copy of the novel with trembling hands, while I couldn't help but look at her fondly.

"You have very beautiful eyes." The statement was expelled before my brain could stop it. "You remind me of someone."

"Her?" She asked pointing to the book I had in my hands. I stared at the cover for a minute, as blue as the eyes in front of me, and ran my fingers across the letters that formed the title:

'I will fill your days with Life'

My attention snapped back to the blushing girl who was still waiting for an answer.

"Yeah." I accepted with a nostalgic sigh, "Her." The teenager gave me a shy smile and I continued to sign her copy.

'Always keep the hope that your eyes express.
Juliana Valdes'

I closed the cover and handed it to her, still smiling. "Thank you." Was the last thing she said before my editor broke in again.

"I am very sorry..." he spoke aloud to the dozens of people who were still waiting anxiously. "But our time ended for today."

The multiple whispers and sounds of disappointment echoed through the room. And I was forced to intervene.

"Thank you all very much for coming. I'm sorry I don't have more time to sign every copy. But I promise that we will meet again soon. I thank each and every one of you who have read this story and are here today. I hope it has touched your heart. Finally, you are all invited to attend the press conference that will take place shortly. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask."