The Thread of life

of

ams, she knew she

a was a woman in her thirties now who had never shown any interest in life as a wife and mother, but welcomed with open arms anyone who offered h

ia did

ain about. All she needed was to keep in touch with him, who, when he could, gave her guitar lessons from a

could materialise her beloved guitar, her books and sometimes she would imagine so

her. Babacar loved her terribly, but as Fatou had explained to her,

the truth. Okay?" she nodded slo

go. Where were you? Always p

ld back and remained silent to endure her mother's lecture. As Maria spoke, Sof

one who stood by her in times of need. The rest didn't matter when she was playing,

r name associated with her mother's surname and he

n't de Francesco, i

the young girl to fall, who began to tremble realising what was going to happen next. It had been like this for years, beatings during the day and beatings

it was her mothe

u'll call yourself whatever I want and do whatever I say. And if you ever try to disrespect me again, you little brat, I

her room, crying. Those bollards hurt and sh

is? Why couldn't her mother see her a

she not

n tear and throb from the pain; she let it be and moved her fingers close to it, repeating the operation to soo

knees and squeezing them tight, almo

that were unfortunately difficult to erase from her mind; but Sofia fought

ore colourful, always fresh and what was never missing, o

ne and concentrate on the music, so she closed her eyes and tried to tra

n Ey

rrowed brow, Sofia opened her eyes curiou

eally kno

r and eyes of an emerald green that seemed unreal. No, she had never

me,

emembered that child who on her seventh birthday

visit Mateo had never come again, leaving the g

she asked in

t gesture but couldn't help but giggle and stroke that mane, wrinkling his nose. Those simple gestures made Sofia's heart beat fiercely as she co

ps the meaning

irl to give meaning to that word. It was something she never felt, ne

from

ed him when Sofia was sick. How had he appe

she was so well that she wanted to stay that way for the rest of her lif

couldn't help stroking her hair again. He could not explain why he had done it either, but he had just felt the need. His heart skipped a bea

ed and he absolutely

agic, making him lose his breath. He shook his head slowly and bit his l

the boy the truth or not. Could she trust him? Maybe he had only asked her out of politeness, not because he really cared how she was. But the boy's green eyes screamed honesty and Sofia decided to trust him: she told him everything, from her father who h

ld treat her da

with Sofia's mother was of little use, he had to think of a way to lift the little gi

things, Fawn Eyes?" she aske

slightly parted her lips,

nice?" sh

ppy?" the young Ca

d at that exact moment. Mateo gasped as he heard her sing and blushed with emotion. Her voice sounded like the sweet call

e voice, and it was only a th

she also sang Led Zeppelin's 'Stai

re great! Cong

those compliments, and like a frightened turtle, she hun

Sadly, she was

me listen to music"she explained, "it's something that's been

re to console me when I am sick; to laugh with me or get angry with me. She is a mo

n thank her and it seems the

as. He, at her age had - still has - a head for the ball

aviour: Sofia, despite her young age, was forced to embrace responsibility and maturity at an early age, while he a

ust now. Sofia, sensing his thoughts, put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. And this time it was

go" he murmured w

se you'll

st and the boy smiled nodding, before

ise, Fa