My sculpture of Nativity also had a small fountain, in which I had

put a mirror to mimic the water. That fountain was the most strange

element of my sculpture of Nativity, all the other clay figures, the cattle,

the Kings and Saint Joseph, Holy Mary and baby Jesus Christ, were the

traditional characters of Christmas. Above the house where Jesus was I

also put a small light. Some sand together with the moss completed that

image. This year everything was at the bedroom of little strawberry, I

knew that she adored those images and as she was sick this was the only

way for her to see them. She was also surrounded by small Christmas

gifts that were brought earlier by Santa and baby Jesus Christ, just to help

her to get better sooner. After leaving the factory where I was working, as

a production supervisor of a small production, I used to buy biscuits,

honey and some medicines. To see the other children playing on the street

and asking when would they receive the gifts, or even asking what had

happen to Jesus, would just enlarge my anxiety. But, the doctors assured

and went there running, opened the door and when I entered I saw the

boss taking her dress off. Very disturbed I attacked him: — You nasty

pig! — Then we reached a deal I would get promoted and I would shut

my mouth to avoid a scandal. It was a dirty business, I already knew

about other situations when the victims would continue working without

telling a word. Through this deal the closing of the factory would be

avoided and also the misery of many families… Since then the situation

finished and there were no more problems.

I thought to myself that the boss was also sick. Clearly he was not

aware of the meaning of the word dignity but, that situation had had as

consequence my approximation to Madalena. During Christmas all the

memories had a special meaning and also the fact that many victims did

suffer and stood shut because they wanted to guarantee the paycheque of

their families. Nevertheless, I still remember Madalena on the floor

surrounded by her own blood, grabbing her ripped dress. I think I'm going

to remember this forever. Then Raquel arrived, she brought a new dress

and took her home.

went away to study but, this Christmas, I was very distressed again,

because of her. Raquel told me that her situation was far more

complicated than the one her mother wanted to admit. And I was too far

away… I felt I should go to visit her and Raquel could go with me.