THE FATHER-IN-LAW

 MARIA, FROM CRATO TO THE WORLD

In 1945, Mrs Nenzinha and her four children were waiting for a steamboat in Petrolina, Pernambuco state, to cross the São Francisco River to Juazeiro in Bahia. Her husband, Mr. Joaquim Passos, was waiting for the family, unaware that their daughter had run away.

Maria was not happy, she had been forced to leave a groom she was in love with. He´s an Indian half-breed rich farmer, tall, strong, black hair running down to his shoulders.  The family left without even saying goodbye to the Indigenous man. Her mother, Mrs. Nenzinha, had commanded her to pack without explaining their sudden departure, besides they would meet mr Joaquim. Her mother just warned her they were leaving that very day.

In the first moment mr Joaquim, Maria's father, had accepted Zé Bento as a suitor. The groom had already separated a white horse and had it saddled especially for Maria. Joaquim looked down on Zé Bento’s mixed heritage, though. Perhaps feeling slighted by the financial independence his daughter’s suitor represented. In that moment Joaquim struggle to survive after the seven-year drought that stripped them of his own assets. I can´t say for sure but the fact is that one night Joaquim ran away to Bahia without giving any explanation or warning to his children. He just ordered his wife to follow him as soon as possible.

Two weeks later Mrs. Nenzinha left quietly, as they used to say. She sold their few remaining possessions and departed without saying goodbye to anyone. Maria was inconsolable since she had no explanation on why she wouldn´t marry Zeh Bento anymore.

In Ceará at that time, courtship was seen as a mundane ritual; interactions between young people consisted of nothing more than stolen glances during Sunday Mass. Men asked for a girl’s hand only through her father. Maria, for example, had never spoken to Zé Bento directly. Her contact with him was just serving coffee when the groom visited his parents' house on Sundays.  If she lingered in the living room, her father would growl clearing his throat and she ran to the kitchen or wherever else, but she could not stay in there.

Such was the scenario, Maria angry with her father, waiting for the steamboat in Petrolina harbor. In 1937, according to Brazil's northeastern way, she had to swallow hard and do her parents' will. However, she promised herself that she would run away during the trip with the first one who wanted her. She would never reach Bahia state.

Angry mood and the devil´s help, as she herself used to say decades later. Very beautiful 18 years of age, blonde, green eyes, shiny hair around the waist, the Ceara´s born girl did not need much time to get a suitor. In fact, Luis Severino noticed her on the second day and fell in love.

The family had to wait for 5 days for the return of the single steamboat that served as a crossing through the São Francisco River. Everyone depended on a single steamboat, people, animals, goods, and everything else that needed to pass from one territory to another.

The family stayed in a boarding house, and Maria thought she was in luck, 5 days was all she needed to achieve her goal, escape!

THE SCAPE

While the family waits for the steamboat in the boarding house, Luis saw her and falls head over heels in love. He´s from Pernambuco, 26 years old, blue eyes, and short. He was a skilled merchant with a modest fortune, including a house, a commercial property, employees, and savings, which was quite significant. As a trader at the port, he purchased goods that arrived on the steamboat and resold them in the city.  He was a respected man, well-known and well-liked in Petrolina.

Talking to a girl at that time in the northeast of Brazil was almost a crime, but he managed to send a message and talk to Maria for a few moments. Luis immediately proposed to her, to which she replied that her mother would never agree without the presence of her father, who was in Bahia. Anyway, her father would hardly agree to their marriage, since he didn´t know Luis, adding, “My father will kill you!”  She had a revenge plan and then tried to paint her parents as uncompromisingly as possible.

Then he proposed, “Run away with me! we cheat the priest, I´ll give him good money, he´d agree to perform the wedding." At that time people used to say “throw a stone at the priest” meaning making up a story and giving some money to the vicar, who would make the wedding without many questions or the presence of parents or guardians.

She agreed, not because she liked him, but out of revenge against her parents who fled from her fiancé. She was in love with the man who had been left behind and whose fate she did not know. They agreed that the next night they would run away when everyone in the boarding house was asleep. After her mother slept, she packed her stuff in a suitcase and lay down on a hammock to wait for the agreed time, midnight.

She dozed off but "something" shook the hammock, a very strange event according to Maria. She woke up and went out to see if Luis had arrived, and there he was. Maria took the suitcase and left in the darkness, her heart leaping with fear, excitement for the unknown, but satisfaction for carrying out her revenge.

Luis was a mature man 26 years old, of course, he tried to approach and kiss her. But Mara was an indomitable beast! She jumped up and threatened him with a knife she had hidden in her clothes declaring, “You do not touch me! Dare if you can!” Luis freaks out, “No Maria, you can trust me, I won't try anything to you! I'm going to take you to a friend's house, he's a police officer, and you stay with his wife until the wedding. I assure you you´re safe.”

Maria pondered, she was already ruined, if someone had woken up and missed her, nothing would save her from taking a beating or worse. She had no choice and agreed to go to Mrs. Mariinha's house. There, she was greeted with affection by the woman. The couple were already aware of Luis' intentions and had prepared to receive the bride. Notice that he was a wealthy and well-connected man, single living alone in the city.

Maria stayed under the protection of the deputy and his wife. It is noteworthy, that on the night that Maria fled her father, Joaquim dreamed of killing her with an axe, as she learned years later. Misteries! 

Meanwhile, her mother wakes up at the boarding house and does not find her daughter. She searched the neighborhood as Maria was hiding in the house of Mrs. Mariinha and the deputy, terrified to realize what she had done to the family and herself, Maria wouldn´t dare head out. Mrs Nenzinha looks for her for a couple of days, unsuccessfully.  The steamboat arrives and she has to leave with the remaining children, Josefa, Luis, and Juciê (baptismal name of João Passos). Before taking the steamboat she sends a telegram to her husband in the following terms, "I'll be with you in 3 days. Maria fled.”

Maria didn´t have a birth certificate, and Luis Severino spent a lot of money to fix all documents.  He paid the priest, the deputy, at the notary's office, and who knows how many others and managed to perform the wedding. Finally, they went to live in Luis' house, a large corner house.

THE FATHER-IN-LAW

Luis´ family lived far away, they only learned of the marriage days after the fact. Almost two months after the wedding, Luis' father went to visit his son and daughter-in-law.

Maria afraid of what her father-in-law might think after such an awkward marriage, decides to treat him very carefully. Maria had already realized that her husband, Luis, was a little crazy, very impatient, and demeaning. Rich northeastern male, accustomed to commanding and being obeyed, he was always complaining about anything. Maria was quiet, after all, she had never left her parents' house, and now she depended exclusively on her husband. She felt sad, already regretting running away.

Deciding to behave as courteous and polite as possible, she welcomed her husband's father and made everything she knew in the kitchen. Luis brought home special products for the occasion, meats, string beans, wine, etc... As she cooks, Luis decides to serve wine to his father and starts looking for the corkscrew. As not finding it, he gets more and more annoyed accusing her of having lost the corkscrew.

He calls her, bubonic plague and other typical northeastern profanities. She´s ashamed of her father-in-law, feeling deeply humiliated, but silent. Maria and her father-in-law don't say a word. Luis, enraged, threatens to hit her with a whip. The whip he used to beat horses was hanging on a nail behind the door.

At this point, her blood had already risen. Besides being ashamed, she was furious thinking to herself, “I'm going to kill this rude guy, damn bastard!”

As he picks up the whip, she takes his shotgun, which was in a corner of the kitchen, and starts aiming right in the middle of his eyes! Maria had decided she was going to shoot, not anywhere else, but right between his eyes. As she holds the shotgun and sharpens her aim, her father-in-law finally reacts. Jumps underneath the weapon and pushes it up just, as she pulls the trigger. The bullet hits the ceiling.

Maria was out of her mind ruminating that she wouldn´t get beaten by that wretched man, hell no! Luis was wide-eyed, pale, and out of action, staring at her as if seeing her for the first time. So the speechless father-in-law, who hadn´t moved a finger to calm his son down, declares, “My son! Let´s take the pace! You didn´t marry a woman, you married a warrior in a skirt.

Luis was scared to death, he took his jacket and hat and there they both went to a destination unknown to Maria.

SUIT AND TIE

She was devastated, by herself in the world after that event, her fate was uncertain. But she thought practically, “There's a lot of food in here, I'm going to lunch, I'm hungry.  There's enough to feed me for a long time. I won't starve, screw him. He´s come back whenever he wants.”

It's been five days, Luis didn´t show up. She began to feel free for the first time in her life, with no one to command her! “Oh boy, this is a good life!” On the fifth day, she decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, but she was too embarrassed to go out in the daytime. She felt shame and fear of the neighbors. And more, right-handed women did not walk the streets alone. Then she decides to head out at night. Put on his clothes, suit, and shoes, tied up her hair, and fit his hat over it.

At night in the dark, she looks like a man. She put a knife on the strap and left determined to breathe freely. As the only activity available women and children used to sit in the backyards, talking under the moonlight. While hanging around she listens to them saying, "Here comes a man!" After all, a man was a respected figure at that time and land. Maria feeling happy and free, starts whistling and walking like a male, stomping, determined.

THE RETURN

Well... after fifteen days Luis comes back home suspicious, he doesn't even mention the shot event. He asks her how is everything, she replies that all is fine. So they start their marital life. He behaves politely, after all, he has not married any woman. Besides being beautiful, she was as brave as a beast. According to her, he never threatened to hit her again. He was nervous, used to cursing, but more restrained.

What about the father-in-law? He visited them with Luis' siblings months later, but never visited the house frequently, nor did he show appreciation for Maria in the 6 years they lived together until Luis' death. Maria was 24 years old when she became a widow. She had four children, only the last one survived. But that's another story.

Marcia Rodrigues – São Paulo – SP
Brasil - 2024

© Todos os direitos reservados. Não autorizada a reprodução. 

Marcia Rodrigues

Mas por favor compartilhe se achar bom!

Zeh and the grass

Decades ago, I heard a story that deeply moved me. It was about a man named Zeh, a small-scale farmer from northeastern Brazil.

Zeh was tired of working hard but never making enough money. He owned a small piece of land, planting and harvesting, but the money was little. There was never enough to save some and fulfill his dream: to have a small transport business. "As a truck driver, oh! Yes! I'll make good money," he thought. 

He felt a lump in his throat every time he looked at his wife and children. The pain of their family poverty weighed heavily on him. His children went barefoot and often didn't have enough food to eat, and his wife didn't even have a new dress to wear to church. As the years went by, he worked harder and harder, but he could only manage to support the newly arrived children. Do you know what free entertainment is like for poor people, right?

Zeh used to watch the news on his old television. It wasn't very old, considering there were no TV sets in his city until 1954. The news frequently discussed a highly sought-after herb that people paid a substantial amount of money for. It was a forbidden herb. The question was, what about all that money? There was a lot of it. Just look at that! It was something desired by many. The police were involved in apprehending those who dealt with it.

Zeh pondered, "Well, someone plants, someone sells... and people chase it more fervently than salvation!" Another harvest came in, adding to Zeh's burdens. Tired of it all, he began to contemplate planting that forbidden herb, believing it could bring him a significant amount of money.

Like many people in the countryside, Zé began discussing his plans with friends and relatives. He expressed his intentions to grow that herb, saying, "Oh, I’ll plant it, then I’ll go into town, sell it, and buy myself a truck." His loved ones warned him, "Zé, don’t ruin your life! You’re going to end up in jail. Please, stop this madness."

Despite the risks, he spent months contemplating his decision and ultimately chose to take a chance. He researched everything he could about the process, selected a plot of land far away from his house in the middle of the bush, and got to work. He carefully prepared the land, purchased the seeds, and began the planting.

It didn't take long for him to grow a large volume of green bushes. At the right time, he harvested the crop and patiently waited for the fermentation and drying process to take place. Finally, it was ready, and he filled two large suitcases with the merchandise. He thought to himself, "Now I can buy my truck with God's help. I'm going to Salvador to sell this cargo."

Zeh needed to take a ferry to reach Salvador, the capital of Bahia State. While on the ferry, there was supervision, but he was determined to continue. He brought his bags on board, and that’s when the police arrived. The officers began checking people's luggage. Zeh thought, "Now what??" His heart raced, and his blood ran cold. Despite his anxiety, he decided, "Go big or go home."

Zeh was increasingly terrified as the police approached him. However, they knew he was a farmer and considered him an honest man. The sergeant asked friendly, “What’s going on, Zeh? What’s in those suitcases?” Believing he was in trouble, Zeh blurted out, “It’s grass!!” The officers burst into laughter and said, “Oh, this crazy Zeh! Grass? Sure, buddy, I believe you, mad dog!” With that, they left without checking his bags. Zeh's heart raced even faster. He had gone through a tremendous amount of trouble but had ultimately achieved his goal.

The merchandise already had a specific destination. He sold it and collected his sweaty money without any trouble. When he returned to his town, he bought his dream truck. Zeh never planted that stuff again—absolutely not! He never intended to become a criminal.

He lived a long and happy life driving his truck through dusty roads. Life was better as a transporter driver. Zeh shared this adventurous story many times  while laughing with friends.

Marcia Rodrigues – São Paulo – SP
Brasil - 2024

© Todos os direitos reservados. Não autorizada a reprodução. 

Marcia Rodrigues

Mas por favor compartilhe se achar bom!

THE WEREWOLF

Joaquim Passos was a man who liked to have fun. In the 1920´s, he owned an expansive farm in Crato, Ceará, nestled at the foot of the Araripe mountain range in the heart of the Cariri region, famously known as the land of "Padre Cícero," a revered priest in the northeast.

Joaquim worked diligently but made it a priority to enjoy life, particularly through dancing "forró," a vibrant traditional northeast dance. As the grandson of Dutch immigrants with striking deep blue eyes, he married the beautiful Maria Suares when she was just 13 and he was 26. Their marriage was flourishing, and Joaquim regularly took Maria out to dance whenever the opportunity arose. 

The farm was vast, and settlers resided on the land to manage the plantations of corn, beans, cassava, and rice for trade. They engaged in animal husbandry and other forms of subsistence agriculture to support their families. During harvest season, Joaquim hired twice as many itinerant workers, providing them with the best accommodations available. He ensured a steady supply of food by ordering the butchering of cattle, pigs, and chickens every week to feed everyone. Joaquim earned the respect and admiration of his workers for being a fair boss who valued hard work, a quality instilled in him by his ancestors.

One Saturday night, Joaquim invites Maria to a "forró" party. They had to move on horseback for many leagues away, until they reached the best known "forró" in the center of Juazeiro city. Maria, a little afraid, reminded him that, in addition to being already dark night, there were comments about a werewolf prowling the neighborhood. Besides they were going to leave alone the children Luís, Josefa and Maria, all small kids. But Joaquim stood firm, determined to have a great time dancing with his wife. He reminded Maria that it was a full moon night, he was well armed and they were riding his favorite horse-strong and fast. Nothing would make him give up from the party that night!

“Let´s go, woman! Get ready! Pick up the pace!”

Maria dressed up... she was a beautiful half-breed with bright green eyes, granddaughter of a Dutchman married to an Indian, brave as a puma! Joachim was brave, but when she dug into him those deep green eyes and pursed her lips in anger, he knew he must give in for the sake of his own skin.

Anyone trembled at the sound of her voice: “do it as I say now! This is it!". The person would obbey or the armageddon comes, just like that.

It should be said in passing that Maria was 12 years old when Joaquim Passos fell in love with her, but she was a girl, she did not think about dating. Joaquim was 25 years old already. He was a determined guy, rich, who used to being obeyed. Maria's brothers saw an incredible oportunity there, due the man was the richest in the city. So they take the decisions by themselves, since their father was deceased. They insisted on having the wedding, but she wouldn't budge. Finally, a year later, pressure from the family caused Maria to accept the marriage. However, when she was 13 years old, she had her eye on another boy who fell in love with her.

She did not want the Dutchman.. so she agreed with the young man that they would go to the church on the day scheduled for her wedding with Joaquim, and would deceive the priest: instead of marrying the Dutchman, she would marry the other. But it didn't work out.. the brothers noticed some deception there, and prevented the boy from attending the church. So she really joined Joaquim, at least they would leave her alone.

He, Joaquim, totally in love.. she with hatred of him. As a good indigenous, stamped her foot and did not let him get near her bed for a long time. The girl was not mature enough, but she already learned that she had to defend herself and impose her will at any cost. A situation that explains her marked courage.

Her brothers used to visit them so much, that basically began to live on the farm of the new couple. They exploited Joaquim as much as they could, wearing even his suits  to go to the whorehouse.

As Maria refused a marital life, Joaquim use to attend the whorehouse a lot, making demonstrations of opulence: he wrapped cigarettes in Cr$50 bills, providing drinks for everyone. He would come back very late, drunk on top of the horse, sometimes alone… other times his brothers-in-law would bring him. Maria cursed and had him thrown into a guest room, as she get angrier every day!

But time passes and settles everything... including the marriage of the two of them. Maria starts to accept her husband, becomes attached to him and the marriage ends up being consummated. The events that I now reveal occur exactly at this moment in their lives: three small children and she is already more cordate, starting to like her husband. They were, I would say, still on their honeymoon.

Back to the story. Finally, the two of them take the Juazeiro road towards the center, on Joaquim's best horse... a black pure blood, big and snorting, with fur and mane shining in the moonlight. Maria is on the back, because she refused to go on her own horse. She was afraid the werewolf would attack her horse. The immense moon in the sky illuminates the entire plain below the Serra do Araripe, valleys and prairies.

The horse advances until it impales, next to a small freshwater well, and refuses to continue. The “cacimbas” were springs with crystal clear drinkable water, where the people found shade and rest under the trees, as it was a humid place. Joaquim tries to get the animal to continue and hits it with spurs mercilessly, but the animal rears up and tries to get back on the road.

In this fight Joaquim gets off his horse to pull him by the stirrup and at that moment, a very large wolf comes out of the trees. Maria starts screaming. Joaquim pulls the friendly machete, with whom he had total intimacy, and throws himself in the direction of the wolf. The fight is fierce.. the wolf dodges and Joaquim attacks it mercilessly, the wolf returns the blow and Joaquim jumps with the machete in his hand.

A few minutes of fierce fighting, when Joaquim manages to stick the machete into the wolf's thigh. The animal jumps howling, but the end of the sound is a human moan. Joachim wants to chase him because his blood was hot from the fight, the adrenaline had dominated his mind. He just wanted to kill the animal, maybe find out if it was a real animal or something else. Maria shouts:  “Quim, for God's sake, leave it, Quim! Don't leave me alone!!"

Joaquim realizes the woman's fear and returns, climbs on the horse, turns around the animal and returns to the farm. He fascinated by the scene, the blood running hard from the effort and pleasure of the fight. After all, he had beaten an unknown animal, like a wolf, but only God knew what the hell was that. She, scared to death. That night's outing was over.

The day next Joaquim heads out by the farm, looking for someone injured, and learns that a young man had cut himself by accident, precisely in the thigh. The farmer goes there to know the details.. the injured guy was a strong young man, son of the settlers, showing off an ugly cut on his thigh. Joaquim talks to the family trying to understand what happened, asks if they need any help and leaves wishing the best to the guy.

But his head boils in whirlwinds. He needs to figure out what to do, after all there was a werewolf on his farm and others were in danger. He went back home and talks to Maria, who is more terrified than before. Joaquim thinks about arresting the guy until he founds out what to do. Anyway, as long as the guy was injured, no harm could be done during that full moon.

The next day, Joaquim goes to the family´s home willing to reveal what he knew and take action. He certainly wouldn't leave his and other families at the werewolf's mercy. But he finds the house empty:  the family had fled during the night. As much as Joaquim looked for them, he was never able to find the werewolf's family again, nor heard other stories of wolves in the vicinity. I believe the werewolf knew that Joaquim was fiercer than himself and by now was ready to fight, so he choosed just disappear into the backlands.

Remains the story that my grandmother use to tell in the nights to the children, grandchildren, settlers, relatives and friends. When her sons were grown and wanted to go party, (of course I'm talking about the males) she wouldn't let them go at all, especially if it was a full moon night. And if they insisted, she would beat them with a horse whip. They use to fleed out by window after she slept, returning before she awoke. After all, no one dared to disagree with Mrs. Nenzinha. 

This and other Maria Alves and Joaquim Passos's stories were told to me by my mother. Her blue-green eyes shone and her excitement grew as she shared these past events in the backlands of Ceará. These were my loveliest moments with her. I kept all the stories, promising myself that I would write the family´s exciting and full-of-adventures history. In addition, all descendants would feel part of a personal adventure, knowing that they came from brave, honest, and adventurous people who challenged their own destiny to bring us here. 

Maria Suares (Mrs. Nenzinha) and Joaquim Passos

 

 

Luiz Gonzaga - playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4OT3bJxjiE 

Despite being from Pernambuco, Luiz Gonzaga ran away from home as a young man and went to Juazeiro do Norte in Ceará. A great accordionist and poet, he soon conquered Ceará and the northeast with his irreverent music and poetry, becoming known as the king of the "baião", king of the accordion. He was the favorite singer of Maria Leandro, my mother, when she sang was usually some Luiz Gonzaga´s song.

NOTES:

Forró: according to the Encyclopedia of Brazilian Music (1998), the word is a derivation of the African term "forrobodó", synonymous of party, drag-foot or party. This definition is the most accepted among scholars in the area. The reference is to popular balls in the late 19th century. At that time it was necessary to wet the floors for not to raise too much dust, as there was no coating.

 

Part of the book "ESTÓRIAS NORDESTINAS" by Marcia Rodrigues

 

Marcia Rodrigues – São Paulo – SP

Brazil, 2015.

 

© Copyright - All rights reserved. Reproduction not authorized.

ZÉ E AS MALAS

Há décadas atrás, ouvi essa estória que me tocou muito. Era sobre um homem do campo, pequeno agricultor nordestino.

Zé estava cansado de trabalhar e não ter dinheiro. Tinha uma terrinha, plantava, colhia.. mas o dinheiro era pouco, nunca sobrava pra juntar e realizar seu sonho, que era comprar um caminhão e ter uma pequena transportadora. "Como caminhoneiro,  aí sim! vou ter mais dinheiro" pensava ele. Sempre que olhava pra mulher e as crianças sentia um nó na garganta. Aquela pobreza lhe era muito penosa. Os filhos descalços, a comida mal dava pra todos, a mulher não tinha um vestido novo nem pra ir à missa.

Os anos passavam, ele se esforçando cada vez mais.. e só dava pra sustentar os filhos que chegavam, afinal diversão de pobre é fazer mais filhos. Zé via as notícias na tv de tubo, que só não era mais antiga porque os aparelhos só chegaram na cidade por volta de 1954. Falavam muito da tal erva pela qual pagavam muito dinheiro! era proibida, mas.. e aquela dinherama toda?

“Vejam só.. essa peste muita gente quer, a polícia pega aqui e acolá, mas o povo compra o que aparecer! e os caras que vendem ficam muito ricos, minha gente!” Zé caraminholava: "oras, alguém planta, outro vende.. e o povo corre atrás mais que da salvação!"

Mais uma colheita e o aperto junto. Zé cansou daquilo, começou a pensar em plantar a erva proibida, mas que dava muito dinheiro. Como qualquer pessoa do campo, gente simples, comentou com amigos e parentes. Zé começou a falar pro povo que tava querendo plantar a tal erva. "Ah, vou plantar, depois vou à cidade, vendo e compro meu caminhão." Os amigos o aconselhavam: “Zé.. não estrague tua vida! Isso dá cadeia, Zé, pare com essa loucura.”

Ele ponderou por meses e decidiu se arriscar. Pegou informação sobre a erva onde possível. Decidiu pela gleba onde plantar, bem longe da casa, no meio do mato. Preparou a terra, comprou as sementes e cuidou. Não demorou pra ter grande quantidade.. no tempo certo colheu, preparou e esperou pela fermentação. Então prensou o tal mato e encheu duas malas grandes com a mercadoria. Pensou consigo mesmo: "agora eu compro meu caminhão, seja o que Deus quiser. Vou à Salvador vender essa carga."

Oras, Zé tinha que atravessar de balsa para chegar à capital, Salvador. E na balsa tinha fiscalização, mas ele estava decidido. Embarcou com as malas, nisso chega a polícia abrindo as bagagens do povo. Zé cada vez mais apavorado.. mas homem que é homem vai até o fim nas suas decisões. "Que se dane! Se pegarem, é o meu fim, mas que se dane!"

Os polícias se aproximam dele, o conheciam, sabiam que era agricultor e honesto. O sargento pergunta: "e aí Zé? O que tem nessas malas??" 

Zé pensa que tava lascado, mesmo, e responde: “é m@conh@!!"  Os polícias começam a dar risada comentando: “Ah esse Zé, vou te contar, viu! m@conh@? Eu acredito, cabra doido!” E se vão sem abrir as malas. O coração de Zé pulou loucamente! ele passou pelo maior apuro, mas conseguiu seu intento.

A mercadoria já tinha destino certo. Ele vendeu, pegou seu dinheiro realmente suado e transpirado, voltou pra sua cidade e comprou o sonhado caminhão. E viveu muito e feliz dirigindo seu caminhão pelas estradas poeirentas. A vida era muito melhor como caminhoneiro, um pequeno transportador. Zé contava a aventura rindo com os amigos. Nunca mais Zé plantou aquilo! Deus o livre, não era sua intenção se tornar um criminoso!

Marcia Rodrigues – São Paulo – SP
Brasil - 2024

© Todos os direitos reservados. Não autorizada a reprodução. 

Marcia Rodrigues

Mas por favor compartilhe se achar bom!

O Sogro

MARIA, DO CRATO PARA O MUNDO

Nos idos de 1945, Dona Nenzinha e os 4 filhos esperavam o vapor em Petrolina (Pernambuco), para fazer a travessia do Rio São Francisco até Juazeiro na Bahia, onde estava o marido, seu Joaquim Passos, quando a filha Maria fugiu. 

Maria não estava feliz.. tinha sido obrigada a largar o noivo que amava, um mestiço de índio, fazendeiro rico, grande, forte, cabelo preto escorrido até os ombros,  aparência indígena mesmo,  sem sequer se despedir dele. A mãe, dona Nenzinha, apenas ordenou, no mesmo dia da viagem, que fizessem as malas pois estavam de partida para encontrar o pai.

A princípio seu Joaquim, pai de Maria, tinha aceito Zé Bento como pretendente. O noivo já tinha separado um cavalo branco e mandado fazer a sela especialmente pra Maria. Mas seu Joaquim não gostava muito da aparência do caboclo, e talvez se sentisse um pouco humilhado pela superioridade financeira do genro, já que ele próprio tinha perdido todo o patrimônio na sêca de 7 anos do Ceará (outro capítulo deste livro). Enfim.. uma noite seu Joaquim fugiu pra Bahia sem dar qualquer explicação nem aviso aos filhos. Apenas ordenou que a mulher o seguisse. Duas semanas depois dona Nenzinha partiu na surdina, como se dizia por lá, ou seja, sem se despedir de ninguém, sem aviso, depois de vender o pouco que tinham. 

Maria ficou inconsolável. Não recebeu qualquer explicação do porque a família estava abandonando o Ceará, nem porque ela não iria mais se casar. Naquela época especialmente no Ceará, namoros se resumiam a alguns olhares na missa de domingo. Quando o rapaz decidia ir em frente, devia pedir a moça em casamento ao pai. Maria, por exemplo, nunca tinha falado com Zé Bento, seu contato com ele se resumia a servir o café quando o noivo visitava a casa dos pais no domingo. Caso ela se demorasse na sala, o pai dava uma rosnada limpando a garganta e ela sumia pra cozinha ou pra onde quisesse, mas não podia continuar na sala.

Este é o cenário: Maria revoltada com o pai, esperando o "vapor" em Petrolina, mas em 1946, no nordeste brasileiro, ela tinha que engolir em sêco e fazer a vontade dos pais. No entanto, ela prometeu a sí mesma que fugiria no caminho com o primeiro que a quisesse e que jamais chegaria à Bahia. Gênio forte e o cão ajuda, como ela mesma costumava dizer décadas depois. Muito bonita nos seus 18 anos de idade, loira, olhos verdes, cabelo brilhante pela cintura, a cearense do Crato não precisou de muito tempo pra arrumar pretendente. Na verdade Luis Severino a notou no segundo dia e se apaixonou.

A família devia aguardar por 5 dias a volta do único barco à vapor que servia de travessia pelo São Francisco, de Petrolina à Bahia. Todos dependiam do 'vapor": o povo, animais,  mercadorias e tudo mais que precisasse passar do território pernambucano ao baiano, e vice-versa.  A família se hospedou numa pensão e Maria pensou que estava com sorte, 5 dias era tempo suficiente pra ela conseguir seu intento: fugir! 

O NOIVO

Enquanto a família aguardava o "vapor" na pensão, Luis a vê e se apaixona perdidamente. Ele pernambucano já com 26 anos, olhos azuis, baixinho, bom comerciante, já tinha uma pequena fortuna: casa, ponto comercial, empregados, dinheiro.. não era pouca coisa. Luis negociava alí no porto tudo que podia, comprava o que chegasse no "vapor" e revendia na cidade. Era conhecido e bem quisto em Petrolina.

Falar com uma moça naquela época no nordeste brasileiro, era quase um crime, mas ele deu um jeito de mandar um recado e falar com Maria por alguns momentos. E a pediu  em casamento, ao que ela retrucou que jamais a mãe concordaria sem a presença do pai que estava na Bahia, e que o pai dificilmente concordaria com o casamento deles. “Meu pai te mata!” disse Maria, que já tinha um plano. Não pretendia chegar do outro lado do Rio São Francisco, então tratou de pintar os pais da forma mais intransigente possível. 

Então ele propôs: "foge comigo! a gente "joga uma pedra no padre", e ele faz o casamento." Jogar uma pedra no padre significava  inventar uma estória e dar algum dinheiro ao vigário, que faria o casamento sem muitas perguntas nem a presença dos pais ou responsáveis. Ela concordou, não porque estivesse apaixonada, mas por vingança contra os pais. Ela amava o caboclo que tinha ficado pra trás e do qual ela não sabia o destino. Combinaram que na noite seguinte fugiriam, quando todos na pensão estivessem dormindo. Depois que a mãe dormiu, ela arrumou o pouco que tinha numa mala e se deitou na rede pra esperar a hora combinada. Cochilou mas "algo" balançou a rede, evento bem estranho segundo Maria... ela acordou e saiu pra ver se Luis tinha chegado e lá estava ele. Ela pegou a mala e partiram na escuridão, coração aos pulos, de mêdo, excitação pelo desconhecido e satisfação por realizar sua vingança.

Luis já era homem vivido, 26 anos.. claro que ele tentou se aproximar dela e beijá-la. Mas Maria era uma fera indomável, pulou e o ameaçou com uma faca que levara escondida nas roupas: "em mim você não toca! vem pra vê!".  Ele se apavora: "não Maria, pode confiar, não vou fazer nada a você!  Vou levá-la até a casa de amigos, ele é delegado de polícia e você fica com a esposa dele até o casamento. Eu garanto, não vou lhe fazer mal."  

Ela já estava arruinada, se alguém tivesse acordado e dado por sua falta, nada a livraria de tomar uma surra ou coisa pior. Não tinha opção, aceitou ir até a casa de dona Mariinha. Lá chegando foi recebida com carinho pela mulher. O casal já estava avisado das intenções de Luis e tinham se preparado para receber a noiva. Percebam que ele era homem rico e bem relacionado, era solteiro, vivia sozinho na cidade.  Maria  ficou sob a proteção do delegado e de sua mulher. Interessante é que seu Joaquim nesta noite em que Maria fugiu, sonhou que a matava com um machado, segundo ela soube anos depois.

Enquanto isso dona Nezinha acorda na pensão e não encontra a filha.. procura na vizinhança mas Maria estava escondida na casa de dona Mariinha e seu marido delegado, aterrorizada por perceber o que tinha feito com a família e consigo mesma, não se atrevia a por a cara na rua. A mãe a procura por mais 2 dias, sem sucesso, o vapor chega e ela tem que partir com os filhos restantes, Josefa, Luis e Juciê (nome de batismo de João Passos). Então manda um telegrama pro marido, nos seguintes termos: "Chego em 3 dias. Maria fugiu." 

O SOGRO

Luis Severino gastou um bom dinheiro pra conseguir uma certidão de nascimento pra Maria, que nem isso tinha. Pagou pro padre, pro delegado, no cartório e sabe-se lá pra quantos mais, e conseguiu realizar o casamento. Lá se foram morar na casa de Luis, uma casa grande de esquina. A família dele morava longe, só ficaram sabendo do casamento dias depois do fato consumado. Então o pai de Luis vai até a casa do filho quase dois meses depois para conhecer a nora. Ela muito temerosa do que o sogro pudesse pensar após um casamento desastrado daqueles, o trata com muito cuidado. 

Maria já tinha percebido que o marido, Luis, era meio doido, muito nervoso. Macho nordestino rico, acostumado a mandar e ser obedecido, tava sempre reclamando por qualquer coisa. Maria ficava quieta, afinal nunca tinha saído da casa dos pais, só conhecida a convivência com a família, e agora dependia exclusivamente do marido. Sentia-se triste, já estava arrependida de ter fugido. Mas foi cordata e educada principalmente para receber o pai do marido, fez tudo que sabia na cozinha. Ele trouxe  carnes, feijão de corda, vinho.. ela cozinhando e Luis procurando o saca-rolhas.

Nada de encontrar e ele ficando cada vez mais irritado, começa a acusá-la de ter perdido o saca-rolhas. Xinga ela de peste bubônica e outros palavrões típicos do nordeste. Ela com vergonha do sogro assistindo tudo aquilo, fica calada, ela e o sogro não dão um pio. Mas Luis se exalta cada vez mais e ameaça dar nela com um chicote de bater em cavalos. O chicote estava num prego atrás da porta e Luis enfurecido pega a peça declarando que vai dar uma surra em Maria. Nessas alturas o sangue dela já tinha subido, além de envergonhada, estava furiosa pensando: “eu vou matar esse sujeito estúpido, desgraçado!” 

Enquanto ele pega o chicote, ela pega a espingarda dele que estava num canto da cozinha e começa a mirar bem no meio dos olhos dele! Maria tinha decidido que ia atirar bem no meio dos olhos. Enquanto ela aponta a arma e aguça a mira, o sogro finalmente reage, vai por baixo e empurra a espingarda pra cima bem no momento que ela puxa o gatilho. O tiro pega no teto. Maria já estava completamente fora de sí pensando que apanhar daquele infeliz, ela não ia mesmo. Luis está de olhos arregalados, completamente pálido e sem ação, olhando pra ela como se a visse pela primeira vez.

Então, o sogro, que até o momento não tinha dito uma palavra sequer pra acalmar o filho, declara: "meu fio! vamu simbora pruque ocê num casou com uma mulé, ocê si casô foi com uma lampiona!"  (lampiona: referência ao cangaceiro Lampião). Luis estava assustado, pegou o paletó e o chapéu, e lá se foram os dois com destino desconhecido por Maria.

TERNO E GRAVATA

Ela ficou arrasada.. sozinha no mundo, sem saber qual seria seu destino depois daquilo. Mas pensou de maneira prática: “tem muita comida aqui, vou almoçar, tô cum fome. Aqui tem o suficiente pra eu comer por um bom tempo. Com fome não vou ficar, ele que se dane e volte quando quiser.” 

Passaram-se dois, três, 5 dias e nada de Luis aparecer. Ela começou a se sentir livre pela primeira vez na vida, ninguém pra lhe mandar! oras, isso é que é vida! pensou. 

No quinto dia ela decide dar um passeio pela vizinhança, mas estava com vergonha de sair de dia. Vergonha e medo dos vizinhos. E outra, mulher direita não andava sozinha nas ruas. Decide, então, sair de noite. Veste as roupas dele, o terno, sapatos, prende o cabelo e encaixa o chapéu na cabeça. De noite no escuro, parece um homem. Poe uma faca na cinta e sai decidida a respirar em liberdade. Enquanto caminha sem destino certo, escuta as pessoas da vizinhança, mulheres e crianças que ficavam sentadas nos quintais conversando sob a luz da lua, dizerem: "lá vem um homem!". Afinal um homem era figura muito respeitada naquela época e paragens. Ela se sentiu feliz e livre, assobiando e andando como um macho, pisando firme, determinada.

A VOLTA

Bem.. depois de quinze dias Luis volta pra casa desconfiado, nem toca no assunto do tiro. Pergunta se está tudo bem, ela diz que sim e iniciam então sua vida em comum. Ele mais comedido afinal não tinha casado com uma mulher qualquer, além de bonita ela era brava como a gota serena! 

Segundo ela, ele nunca mais ameaçou agredí-la, era nervoso, xingava, mas bem mais comedido. E o sogro?  voltou a visitar a casa deles com os outros irmãos de Luis, meses depois. Nunca frequentou a casa do filho, nem demonstrou apreço por Maria nos 6 anos que viveram juntos até a morte de Luis. Maria tinha 24 anos quando ficou viúva, teve 4 filhos, só a última sobreviveu. Mas isso é outra estória.

 

Petrolina, por volta de 1940

Parte do livro ESTÓRIAS NORDESTINAS

Marcia Rodrigues – São Paulo – SP

Brasil - 2015

© Todos os direitos reservados. Não autorizada a reprodução. 

Marcia Rodrigues

Mas se gostar, compartilhe por favor.

Adeus à Sibipiruna

Acordar, especialmente nos fins de semana, quando o barulho do trânsito diminuía, era uma delícia! Eu costumava ficar alguns minutos ouvindo os passarinhos - dezenas deles - cantando e interagindo na imensa sibipiruna. Sua beleza imponente em seus mais de 20 metros de altura, galhos fortes e fartos, folhas verde-escuro, atraíam muitos tipos de pássaros: periquitos, coleiros, sanhaços, laranjinhas, bentevis... todos tinham um bom galho pra pousar e cantar a plenos pulmões, naquele gigantesco "condomínio verde"!

Eu costumava dizer que os vizinhos estavam irritados, porque os periquitos pareciam discutir entre sí. Sempre havia um piando num tom mais alto, como se estivesse reclamando de alguma coisa.  Mas no geral, eles cantavam, conversavam e celebravam, provavelmente por ter aquela bela casa!

Mês após mês eu registrei as mudanças na querida sibipiruna, admirando sua beleza imponente e imaginando todas as coisas que ela havia testemunhado, em sua muda contemplação. Eram mais de 100 anos de existência. O Belenzinho tem 124 anos.

Mas chegou o momento do adeus: semana passada (26 de junho a 2 de julho de 2016) chegaram os homens do setor de poda e remoção de árvores, e começaram a cortar os galhos. Foram 6 dias cortando galhos. Só, então, ficamos sabendo da "doença" da sibipiruna, e do risco que seu tamanho gigantesco representava para o local. Durante a semana assistimos, muitos de nós com lágrimas nos olhos, a derrubada do melhor dos seres da vizinhança. Melhor, sim, porque enquanto humanos todos temos defeitos, ao contrário das árvores que fazem seu trabalho silencioso e eficaz, sem uma queixa. 

Só nos restou a despedida e o agradecimento por tantos anos de bom trabalho gratuito. Não posso deixar de considerar que se nós, humanos, tivéssemos prestado mais atenção nela, se tivéssemos pedido ajuda para um profissional.. enfim.. talvez ela não ficasse tão doente. Mas só a admiramos e contamos com ela, como se fosse eterna.

Adeus querida árvore.. eterna gratidão pela tua existência! sua ausência revela as casas germinadas, feias e tristes.. e um buraco, que mais parece uma ferida aberta, na calçada.

Marcia Rodrigues – São Paulo – SP
Brasil - 2016

© Todos os direitos reservados. Não autorizada a reprodução. 

Marcia Rodrigues

Mas por favor compartilhe se achar bom!