Conduct

 At times, it was necessary to stop and reread the manual in search of clarification for a last-minute question, like a stone halting the progress of their studies. Books spread out across the table, focused, pencils scratching the pages with calculations. Leônidas wasn’t used to spending so many hours studying, but the pressure from his mother regarding that opportunity made the discouragement suddenly fade.

 With Phillipe’s support, he worked through the practice tests that pushed him to study harder to achieve good results on the exams. They complemented each other. Amid adversity, camaraderie became the glue that strengthened their partnership. Phillipe had taught him the tricks. Through him, he had delved deeper into reading; he wanted to develop quick thinking. If a persistent doubt arose, they waited until Ulisses was available to help them.

 In the projects they could work on together, inspired by the fascination they might generate, they applied themselves — like the one in which they were tasked with building a model of a human cell. Phillipe was very creative and skillful with art. The presentation was satisfying and well-praised. Rachel came by later to see what they had done, clearly proud of what she saw.

 Even when their time wasn’t filled with formal commitments, the bicycle workshop filled the gaps. Often, Leônidas would sit while Phillipe worked on a repair. The noise of the tools lingered in his thoughts. It was intriguing and extraordinary the way Phillipe managed everything. Leônidas still hadn’t given up hope of negotiating for the yellow model, because with the prosthesis, he was capable of riding a bike.

 Sometimes, Leônidas spent so much time at that house that Ulisses would invite him to stay for dinner. They were separated only by the hours of sleep in which each returned to their own home. But early in the morning, when they woke up, they’d meet on the way to their responsibilities. They shared lunch breaks and volunteered together. And on weekends, they found excuses to see each other, usually some kind of outing or similar plan.

 And if, at first, there had been a wall of unfounded ideas between them, little by little they settled into a space where they could simply be themselves.

 Ulisses recalled that, at the end of the previous year, he had to insist relentlessly for Phillipe to go back to school. Phillipe would lock himself in at night. In the morning, no matter how hard he tried to get him out of the room, it was pointless. He shouted in frustration at Phillipe’s stubbornness, which made him late for work. He knew he couldn’t give up on Phillipe’s education. If he surrendered, the damage would be irreversible.

 Ulisses knew that the issue wasn’t a lack of intelligence. Phillipe learned easily and never clashed with authority. The problem was that integrating socially was unpleasant for him. Whenever he got worked up, he responded just as intensely.

 When he felt incapable, Phillipe would secretly take Ulisses’s keys and hide them to keep them from leaving the house. He would deliberately spit out the medication he was supposed to take, out of defiance. In many situations, Ulisses had to keep him at home, unsupervised. He always knew he was being tested and had to alternate between a firm hand and moments of leniency.

 There were times when Phillipe made progress, aware of his responsibilities, cooperative and obedient, convincing himself of the importance of his actions in building a healthy routine. However, when determined to regress, there was little to bargain with to pull him out of his disinterest and aggressiveness.

 The emotional component was still very much a part of him. Perhaps it was his greatest strength — yet also his greatest weakness. Since Ulisses was the adult who had taken on the responsibility of guiding him, others didn’t see the effort and exhaustion required to keep Phillipe from giving up.

 Stubbornness subverted dialogue. Out of pride, even when it hurt him, he stuck to his decisions — even when they were wrong. Helpful and full of goodwill, his actions were at times unpredictable, yet full of beauty. When he refused, it was a storm. When he committed, the impossible seemed within reach.

 He had never been able to express how he truly felt — not honestly — because it was involuntary. Every time Ulisses saw him suffer, his heart sank with pain.

 When circumstances were favorable, Ulisses could rest, overwhelmed by that powerful feeling that only being a guardian could bring.

 He witnessed nights when Phillipe, overcome by anxiety, could barely sleep. And yet, on the nights when Ulisses lost sleep or his appetite, the boy remained unaffected. It seemed unfair, but Ulisses didn’t confront him. Remaining silent, at times, was the greatest act of respect and care in his role as a parent.

 During those days, he made a phone call, suspicious that Phillipe’s appearance of calm was hiding something still beyond his control — something that fell short of his expectations. Everywhere he looked, he saw signs of a proactive Phillipe: respectful, dedicated, measured, and at the same time, wise.

 That day, when he found Phillipe sitting on the bench before returning to school, he feared that the same headaches — caused by his behavior — would return with full force. But he was mistaken.

 For three weeks, not a single incident occurred. There was no need to push him to do what was expected. On most days, he woke up and got ready without needing to be reminded.

 Ulisses knew Phillipe wasn’t fully content and still had traumas he hadn’t overcome. On the other hand, he was making a voluntary effort toward what mattered to him. His friendship with Leônidas was the anchor that grounded him in these activities. Nothing mattered more than the boy’s presence, for he led Phillipe back to virtue. That only deepened the suspicion that Denner had been a bad influence on his behavior.

 He preferred to be cautious with words of praise, as out of mischief or pride, Phillipe might act out just for the thrill of subversion — or for fear of embracing the family he truly belonged to. He was now more trustworthy, as there was little reason to lie, and even less reason to be punished. Still, Ulisses rejoiced in seeing that Phillipe had found his desire to return to school.