Hugo celebrates his twelfth birthday with Mariana. She takes a few swallows from the bottle and announces, “Today you’ve finally reached maturity. Today you’re a man. But not like all other men. You, unlike them, will be a gentleman—generous and loyal to all those who love you. Remember, nature gave you the right height, a charming appearance, and a sensitive heart. Life, I feel, won’t be hard on you anymore. You like to observe, to think, to imagine. Without a doubt you’ll be an artist. It’s right for an artist to be handsome. One day Mariana will appear in your imagination, and you’ll want to paint her. You know her body and her soul. Don’t paint her as a miserable woman. I don’t want to be fixed in your memory in the image of a wretched woman. Remember, Mariana struggles like a lioness every night with wild men. Engrave Mariana in your memory as a fighting woman. Do you promise me?”In recent days Hugo has felt an agitation in his body, and when Mariana hugs him, the pleasure grows stronger.
