[Bonus chapter] To Be a Family

Benedito Goncalo Cruz Pereira 

"Você está animado para o seu aniversário?" José looked over to me as I swirled my whiskey on the rocks in my glass. (Are you excited for your birthday?)

I pursed my lips before I sighed, "Você sabe como as coisas sempre foram. Não posso deixer de ser um pouco reservado." (You know how things have always been. I can't help but be slightly reserved.)

He hummed and nodded, "Eu entendo." (I understand.)

Unlike Ronaldo, José had mostly grown up in the Netherlands because of his father then would often visit every few months. He did not know the conditions I grew up in until his family decided to move to Santos full time. By then we were preteens and he was old enough to make a conclusion on how my parents treated me growing up.