It had been 2 years since Mr. Roberto had tasted a cup of coffee since he became ill and was under the care of his daughter Maria and his nurse.
Mary alleged that this drink was the cause of her father Roberto's altered state of nerves and lack of sleep that prevented him from recovering his state of health, therefore, he was totally forbidden to consume coffee. The nurse had strict orders not to offer it, not even to prepare it at home so that Mr. Roberto would not be tempted by the fragrance, however, when Mary was not there, she took advantage and prepared a cup for her and immediately poured cinnamon air freshener to dispel any evidence.
Mr. Roberto knew what the nurse was doing and more than once begged her for at least a sip, the woman was adamant because she did not want to have any problems with Mary, besides she really did not know if the coffee could cause her so much harm.
The nurse always left her purse in Mr. Roberto's room, who in an oversight checked it, knowing that she kept her instant coffee there, took an envelope and kept it under the books he had on his bedside table. That space was little touched and little cleaned, as he said he did not want them to take away the particular smell that books have.
When New Year's Eve arrived, the nurse finished her work and went home, but not before helping Mr. Roberto in the shower and then getting dressed. She put him in a very elegant jacket and left him sitting on the bed for a while, while she hid in the kitchen to savor her cup of coffee before Mary arrived.
Mr. Roberto took the opportunity to put the sachet of coffee in a pocket, he was convinced that he would have the perfect opportunity to consume it.
The nurse quickly tasted her coffee, poured cinnamon air freshener in the house, opened the windows so as not to leave any trails and waited for Mary's arrival so she could leave.
Mary arrived home with her fiancé and some friends to celebrate New Year's Eve, lovingly fetched her father from the bedroom and helped him walk to the living room to share stories and join in the celebration in some way.
Mary's fiancé was treating his father-in-law very well and was advising him to join some grandparents' club so he could find a girlfriend, he told him "nothing better than love to cure us of all evil"...
Mr. Roberto's eyes sparkled, he smiled and said he remembered how previously in his family, whoever wanted to find a partner would get under the table during the countdown to receive the new year and asked for help to do it, because although it was very difficult for him to move, he was not impeded for that either.
Mary indulged her father in almost everything she felt would not cause him harm, so she said indulgently, "It's okay, Dad, you'll welcome the new year under the table."
Between music, drinks, laughter and stories, time passed and Sr. Roberto was only attentive to the clock, at 5 minutes to 12:00 he asked for help to go under the table, his daughter asked him if he wanted something else, she, in her own way, tried to make him happy, he asked for a cup of hot water with some honey and to be left alone to receive the new year, to give him hugs afterwards, to toast them with his wine and take his time and after a while help him to get up, he said he wanted to concentrate well on his wishes.
Mary had consumed some wine and her body somehow felt the effects of this liquor, she was strangely happy and her father's request did not cause her any intrigue, she just felt it as a child's game.
The time came, Mr. Roberto was under the table, Mary brought him the cup of hot water with honey and left him alone as he requested.
I'm sure you already know, I'll tell you anyway, that Mr. Roberto took the opportunity to take the coffee sachet out of his pocket and added it to the water, he stirred it quickly with a pen that was hanging from his ear and felt in glory to have that delicious drink in his mouth again, he savored it with his eyes closed and with his tongue caressing his palate.
Mary entertained herself for a moment between hugs, wines and a passionate kiss with her fiancé, until the smell of coffee immediately reminded her of her father... She approached the table, raised the tablecloth and discovered him, Mr. Roberto opened his eyes with great surprise and with a fright, as if saying "oh, oh I've been discovered".
Mary didn't say a word, she looked at him as when a mother tells a misbehaved child with just a look "we'll talk at home"... Then she looked at him tenderly, she had already finished her cup of coffee, she took him by the hand and between her and her boyfriend helped him up, gave him a big hug and took him to his room, put him to bed and he fell asleep with a hint of a smile on his lips.
It is not known if Mr. Roberto found a girlfriend, nor if he received a scolding when he woke up, nor is it known if the nurse got into trouble... I only tell you as far as I know.