August 5, Monday

August comes too quickly and I must go back to school. I also have to go to the private tutor every Monday. Senhor Julio lives near the church, and I have to go there by myself after school so he can help me learn to read. Today is my first day. I still get to go to Dona Francisca’s once a week, and I will now go on Saturday, but only if I have all my homework and chores done by Friday night. I will work hard all week to be sure I can cook on Saturday.

Daniel and I walk to school. Senhora Rocha is at the front gate greeting everyone on this first day back. I’m happy to see all my friends and talk about Festa Junina. Teacher makes me sit in the front of the class like before, but she doesn’t seem quite as mean. She doesn’t make me read aloud today. After school, Daniel walks home and I go in the opposite direction to Senhor Julio’s house.

“Oi in the house!”

Senhor Julio comes to the gate. “You may enter, young lady.”

This is another house completely different from anything I’ve ever seen, dark, with walls covered with books. It smells musty and dust dances in the light coming through the one open window. There is a small table and chair next to the bookcase.

“You may be seated.”

I sit on the chair and look down at my hands, folded in my lap.

“Young lady, please give me your undivided attention!” Senhor Julio has a ruler in his hand and raps it on the table.

I look up. “Yes, Senhor Julio!”

“Your father informs me you are unable to read. I have also spoken with Senhora Rocha and she provided me the results of your end-of-year examination. We will begin today with the basics. You must work hard or I cannot be bothered to teach you. Do you understand?”

He glares at me over smudged glasses that sit low on his nose. His eyebrows are long and stick out in all directions. He has hair coming out of his nose and I try not to look. He squints at me and frowns.

“Well, I am awaiting a response!”

“Yes, Senhor Julio.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I do understand.”

“Very well, then. Let us begin.”

He places a sheet of paper in front of me and tells me to write the alphabet, in both big and small letters. I can do the alphabet, even if my writing isn’t pretty. He goes into his kitchen for a few minutes while I draw the letters on the paper.

“Well, have you completed your task?”

I look up from the paper. “I think so, Senhor Julio.”

“You have either done it or you have not. Don’t equivocate! Show me.”

He picks up the paper and sighs a bit. “You will have to do much better than this. Here is another piece of paper; write it again but do it properly.”

It is hard but I try to make the letters more pretty and line them up better. He seems to accept this one but doesn’t say anything. He hands me a book, the one children use in the first year to begin reading.

“Please read, begin on the first page.”

I can do this because I have heard it many times. So I read the story, turning the pages as I look at the pictures. He corrects me a couple of times. Then he asks me to read it silently. I look at the pictures and remember the story, and I know some of the words.

He smacks his palm with the ruler.

“Very well. That is enough for today. Your assignment is to read this book and to write the alphabet as I have instructed you, but do it properly. Bring me a faithfully executed page next Monday.”

I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I know I must do my homework.

“Yes, Senhor Julio.”

“Very well, then, our session for today is concluded. You may let yourself out.”

“Thank you, Senhor Julio.” I am glad to get out of the darkness and into the sunshine, hurrying to get home.