“Nothing tonight.”
She looked confused.
“Tomorrow?”
“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
She remained still.
Then she asked:
“Why did you buy me?”
Joaquim hesitated.
“Because everyone else refused.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
He looked at her.
“You’re right.”
He thought for a moment.
“I noticed the way you watched the horses.”
Benedita’s expression changed.
“You noticed?”
“Yes.”
“They were frightened.”
“Most people didn’t notice that.”
“You did.”
“I noticed you did.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Benedita entered the room.
She closed the door.
Joaquim walked away.
He had no idea that the following morning would change everything.
The Horse Nobody Could Handle
At sunrise, Joaquim found Benedita standing beside the stable.
One of his strongest horses was pulling nervously against its reins.
Three workers had already tried to calm it.
None had succeeded.
Benedita watched from several meters away.
“What’s wrong with him?” Joaquim asked.
She didn’t answer immediately.
Then she said:
“He doesn’t trust the man holding the reins.”
The worker looked offended.
“I’ve handled horses for twenty years.”
Benedita looked at the animal.
“That doesn’t mean he trusts you.”
Joaquim raised a hand.
“Let her try.”
The worker reluctantly stepped away.
Benedita didn’t grab the reins.
She simply stood nearby.
The horse continued moving nervously.
She waited.
Then she took one slow step forward.
Another.
She stopped.
The horse stopped too.
After several seconds, it lowered its head.
Benedita extended her hand.
The animal approached.
Joaquim stared.
“How did you know?”
“I watched him.”
“That’s all?”
“That is usually enough.”
Joaquim smiled.
From that day forward, he began paying attention to what Benedita noticed.
And Benedita noticed almost everything.
