Gabriell

Two days later, Gabriel packed all his belongings.

There wasn't much.

Some clothes, some old books, a notebook full of drawings, and a small box where she kept mementos from her childhood.

Before leaving, she walked through the shelter's corridors one last time.

He greeted the employees, thanked Dona Marta for everything she had done for him, and looked once more at the piano that had accompanied him for so many years.

He ran his hand over the keys and smiled.

Thank you for never leaving me alone.

Then she grabbed her suitcase and went to Helena's car.

During the trip, the two chatted for a while.

Helena described the house and said she had prepared a room especially for him.

Gabriel listened to everything in silence. It was still hard to believe that this was really happening.

After a few minutes, the car stopped in front of a beautiful two-story house with a garden full of flowers.

Gabriel stood looking out the window.

— Is it... here?

Helena smiled.

Yes. Welcome to your new home.

She opened the door and they both went inside.

Gabriel observed every detail of the house. Everything seemed so different from the place where he had lived for so many years.

Helena showed him the living room, the kitchen, and the backyard.

Then they went up the stairs.

She stopped in front of a white door.

This room is yours.

Gabriel entered slowly.

The room had a comfortable bed, a wardrobe, a desk, a bookshelf, and a window overlooking the garden.

There was a note on the bed.

"I hope you'll be very happy here. With love, Helena."

Gabriel ran his hand over the note and smiled emotionally.

For the first time in many years, he felt that this place could truly be called home.

But, while he was admiring the room, a door opened in the hallway.

That afternoon, Dona Marta called Gabriel to her office.

He knocked lightly on the door.

— Did you want to speak with me?

— Come in, Gabriel.

He went inside and noticed that Helena was there too. He was a little surprised.

Did something happen?

Dona Marta smiled.

Yes, it happened. Take a seat.

Gabriel pulled up a chair and waited.

Helena took a deep breath. Her heart was racing.

Gabriel... ever since the day I met you, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you.

He just stared at her, not understanding.

I know you've spent many years waiting for someone. I know life hasn't been easy... but I wanted to ask you a question.

Gabriel remained silent.

Would you agree to live with me?

For a few seconds, the boy was unable to say a single word.

He looked at Dona Marta, as if he expected her to say that it was just a joke.

But she just smiled.

That's true, Gabriel.

His eyes filled with tears.

— Ma'am... are you serious?

• I am.

Gabriel lowered his head.

A tear fell down her face.

Throughout his life, he had dreamed of hearing those words. But, after so many years, he had learned not to get his hopes up.

I... I don't know what to say...

Helena stood up, approached him, and took his hands.

— You don't need to say anything now. I just want you to know that if you accept, you'll have a home, a family... and you'll never have to face everything alone again.

Gabriel took a deep breath.

After a few seconds, he looked up.

• I accept.

Helena smiled, her face filled with emotion.

Without thinking twice, she hugged the boy.

At first, Gabriel remained motionless. He wasn't used to receiving hugs.

But, little by little, he reciprocated the gesture.

It was the first hug from his mother that he could remember.

At that moment, he realized that, after so many years, he had finally found a place he could call home.

But he didn't yet know that, upon arriving at that house, he would find someone who wasn't even a little bit there.

The following morning, Helena returned to the Hope Shelter.

Dona Marta smiled when she saw her enter.

I thought you would come back.

Helena gave a shy smile.

• Me too.

The two of them sat down in the principal's office.

For a few moments, Helena remained silent, trying to find the right words.

Then he took a deep breath.

— Mrs. Marta... I can't stop thinking about Gabriel.

The director placed her hands on the table.

— He's a good guy. Very polite, responsible, and always helps the staff here. But he's very reserved. He's suffered a lot in his life.

Helena listened attentively to everything.

I wanted to learn more about his story.

Dona Marta nodded.

Gabriel arrived here when he was only five years old. Since then, he's seen many friends find families. He was always happy for them... but when the door closed, he would go back to his room alone.

Helena felt her eyes fill with tears.

It must have been very difficult...

— Yes. Even so, he never lost his good heart.

After a few seconds of silence, Helena mustered her courage.

I want to take him home.

Dona Marta's eyes widened.

• He is sure?

— I do. I'm not doing this out of pity. Ever since I met him, I feel like he's been a part of my life in some way.

The director smiled, visibly moved.

— I'll talk to him. But let me tell you something... Gabriel never believes it when someone shows him affection. He always thinks the person is going to give up on him.

Helena replied firmly:

Then I'll prove that I won't give up.

At that very moment, Gabriel was walking down the hallway, unaware that behind the principal's door, his life was about to change forever.

The music has come to an end.

The boy slowly removed his hands from the keys and stared at the piano in silence, as if he hadn't noticed anyone at the door.

Dona Marta knocked lightly on the wood.

— Gabriel...

He raised his head.

Upon seeing the two of them, he stood up politely.

— Sorry. I didn't know anyone was here.

"No need to apologize," Helena said, smiling. "You play very well."

Gabriel simply lowered his eyes.

• Thanks.

Silence filled the room for a few seconds.

Helena realized that he was very shy.

How long have you been playing the piano?

— Since I was little. A volunteer at the shelter taught me. After he left, I continued learning on my own.

Helena smiled, amazed.

You are very talented.

Gabriel acknowledged them with a slight nod.

Then Helena asked the question that most piqued her curiosity.

— Mrs. Marta said you've lived here since you were five years old...

He took a deep breath before answering.

• Yes.

— And you never found a family?

Gabriel smiled sadly.

I don't think anyone has ever chosen me.

Those words touched Helena's heart deeply.

She imagined how many times that boy had seen other children leave with new families, while he remained there, waiting for someone who never arrived.

Before leaving, Helena extended her hand.

— It was a pleasure meeting you, Gabriel.

He gently shook her hand.

The pleasure was all mine.

When Helena left the room, she couldn't get that young man out of her head.

Inside the car, even before starting the engine, she looked out the window of the shelter and said softly to herself:

I'll be back.

And, for the first time in many years, she felt that the emptiness in her heart might be about to be filled.

Almost forty minutes later, Helena parked the car in front of the Hope Shelter. It was a large place with a well-kept garden. Some children were playing in the yard, while others were drawing while sitting on wooden benches. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by a gray-haired lady. Welcome. I'm Dona Marta, the director of the shelter. Nice to meet you. My name is Helena. The two started walking down the hallways. Dona Marta showed them the study rooms, the library, the kitchen, and the bedrooms. Helena greeted each child with a smile. Some ran to hug her. Others simply waved timidly. While they were talking, Dona Marta explained: — Here we welcome children and young people who have no family or nowhere to go. We do everything we can to make everyone feel at home. Helena was moved. As the tour was drawing to a close, a soft piano melody echoed down the hallway. She stopped immediately. Who's playing? Dona Marta smiled. Come with me. The two followed the sound to a room at the end of the corridor. Inside, a nineteen-year-old boy was sitting in front of an old piano. Her fingers glided across the keys with such delicacy that it seemed she was telling her own story without saying a single word. Helena remained standing in the doorway, too afraid to interrupt him. She just listened. And, for the first time in many years, he felt something different in his heart. As if, without realizing it, he had found exactly who he was looking for.

Helena always said that her daughter was the greatest gift God had given her.

When Lívia was born, her world gained color. She loved her with all her heart and would do anything to see her happy.

But there was one dream that never faded.

From a young age, Helena imagined she would have two children: a girl and a boy. Life, however, took a different turn. After Lívia's birth, doctors told her she could no longer get pregnant.

Shortly after, her husband died in an accident, leaving Helena a widow at a very young age.

She decided she would never have another relationship. She dedicated her entire life to her daughter, working hard so that Lívia would have a good home, a good education, and would never lack love.

The years passed quickly.

Now, Lívia was eighteen years old. She was beautiful, intelligent, and very attached to her mother. The two lived alone in a simple house, but one full of love.

Even so, every time Helena saw a mother walking with a young boy, she felt a slight sadness in her heart.

She didn't want to replace her daughter. Never.

She simply felt that there was still room in her heart to love a child.

For years, he tried to find a way to fulfill that dream, but he never succeeded.

Then, one Saturday morning, while having coffee and looking out the window, he made a decision.

She placed the cup on the table, took a deep breath, and said to herself:

Today I'm going to try one more time.

Without realizing it, that decision would change the lives of three people forever.

That same morning, Helena put on some simple clothes, grabbed her bag, and left the house. Before closing the door, Lívia asked: Mom, where are you going? Helena smiled. I'm going to visit a shelter. Livia frowned.

• Again? Yes. I just want to see the place. Livia didn't answer. She just watched her mother leave.