March 25, Sunday

“Can you believe it will be two years since Jaxi opened?” I lean my head on Michael’s shoulder. “And Meia-Lua opens in a couple of weeks.”

“It is unbelievable. It doesn’t feel like two years have passed.” We are sitting on the beach across the street from Jaxi and it’s past midnight. There’s a sliver of moon starting to peek above the ocean.

Michael points to the horizon. “Look, the moon is in my right hand. The waning crescent.”

We sit quietly for a few minutes, then Michael takes my hand. “Eva, will you marry me? I made a life commitment a long time ago, so a certificate won’t change that. But if you’re not ready, it’s okay.”

I pull him toward me for a fierce kiss. “I should have been the one to ask you. I hate to talk about the legal stuff, but now that Luiz is officially declared . . . And it’s unlikely you’ll have a problem with immigration, but it would be good to make sure. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. So yes, let’s get married.” We kiss and lie back on the sand.

He wraps me in his arms. “One more thing. Let’s keep it simple. I know the Brazilians will want to put on a party, and I’ve seen how celebrations just get bigger and bigger. And all the politicians would compete to give us the biggest gift. I’ll only tell my mom and dad and sisters in the States. This is for us, not anyone else.”

“We need two witnesses, what do you think about Kai and Carlos? It will take us a few weeks to gather all the documents, and we can plan for when Carlos can come up from São Paulo.”

“Eva, that’s perfect. I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

We sit together watching the moon climb higher in the sky. I feel a glow of wonder and gratitude that life has brought me to this place, with Michael.

“Shall we go in? It’s getting late.” He holds out his hand to me.

“I’ll just stay here a few more minutes, okay?”

“Of course, my love.” He kisses me on the forehead and I’m alone on the beach.

I look up at the luminous slice of moon suspended above the water, the echoes of her light in the waves lapping at the sand. “Luiz, I know you’re out there. Gone from this earth but always with me. I love Michael, Luiz. You would like him. I think you would approve, and I know you would want me to be happy. Please give me a sign.”

Just seconds later a fiery meteor streaks across the sky and falls below the horizon. Tears stream down my face, happiness and peace and sweet sadness all jumbled up.

“Thank you, Luiz. Thank you. I love you.”