May 26, Monday

Carlos is a year old today and we will celebrate—every night is a work night for the guys building the city. I made a cake and a big pot of café and bought some cola and orange soda. The workers stream into the cookhouse and admire the big cake on the table. Luiz holds Carlos and everyone sings “Happy Birthday” while clapping in time. I cut the cake and everyone thanks me as I put a piece in their hands. They sit around the long tables and Carlos stumbles around and greets everyone, holding on to the benches and the guys’ legs.

“Hey, little boy! What are you up to?’

“Hey, what mischief are you up to?”

Everyone laughs.

Luiz is talking with several guys at the table. “They’ve announced that the Palácio da Alvorada will be inaugurated the end of next month, the ‘Palace of Dawn.’ A new dawn for Brazil.”

Another guy chimes in, “A new dawn for us too. Because now we will move to build the first ministry building. The metal framework is up and it’s several stories tall.”

Luiz replies, “It’s hard to imagine this city will be ready to inaugurate by 1960, even working seven days a week.” The guys murmur in agreement. Everyone finishes their cake and says thank you and goodnight. Luiz and Carlos sit at the table as I tidy up.

“Eva, they are building houses in the Cidade Livre, the free city in the Núcleo Bandeirante area. We need a real home, even if it’s nothing fancy.”

“Luiz, that would be wonderful! How can we make it happen?”

“I’m making inquiries. You keep your ears open too, see if you can find anything out from the camp workers.”

“Luiz, I’ve been waiting to suggest this, but I want to get in touch with Dona Célia, the lady I met on the airplane. She works for the vice president’s wife, Dona Maria Thereza. She said she might have work for me.”

“That’s a good idea. But how will you contact her?”

“She gave me her card with a phone number. I’ll go tomorrow to the telephone office and see if I can make the call.”