Ema Arantes.
Punta Arenas, December 30th, 2010, 10:30 a.m. (11 days and 12 hours before)...

     ... After completing the first stage of its voyage, a total of twenty-four days and four hours, aimed at research and testing, the ship Professor W. Besnard landed in Punta Arenas to refuel and prepare for the second part of its mission: to anchor in Martel Cove, Antarctica, in front of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station, owned by the Brazilian Navy.

     From the port of Muelle Mardones, I watched Professor Besnard depart and disappear over the horizon, leaving me behind for a well-deserved vacation. It would be ten days, the end of which would coincide with Carlos Eduardo's arrival in the city. Our schedule from then on consisted of going to the Ferraz Station, hitching a ride on a FAB¹ plane. Our research would take place on dry land until the end of the austral summer.

     Captain Ribeiro, given that the refurbishment and the new equipment had been fully approved, also landed in Punta Arenas for a vacation. He wasn't the effective captain of the Besnard, he worked more on land and having accompanied the renovations, his presence on the ship was necessary during the test voyage. From now on, however, Captain Jarbas would resume his post as commander.

     "Will I see you again, Doctor?"

     I saw him for the first time in plain clothes — and outside of his military duties, which had not been possible before due to the professional nature of the trip. I said to him:

     "Well, who knows? Too bad you're going on a cruise just tomorrow and right on New Year's Eve... And I'll be alone at this end of the world..."

     "When is your husband arriving?"

     "In ten days."

     He said, jokingly:

     "I think it's very wrong to leave such a beautiful woman alone, in the middle of New Year's Eve and so far away. The cruise ship will be staying nearby during New Year's Eve..."

     The commander was a handsome and charming man, the opposite of Carlos Eduardo: older than me, intelligent and kind. If he was also good in bed, he'd be the perfect man. But perhaps it would be better to restrain the thought that was forming in my mind:

     "Wouldn't be a good idea..."

     Ribeiro asked, again in a joking tone:

     "Wouldn't be a good idea... Leaving a beautiful woman alone? Or spend New Year's Eve together on the cruise ship?"

     I laughed. Ribeiro's company had been a relief during those days, given the hardships he had been going through with Carlos. I answered:

     "Of couse both!"

     He continued:

     "Well, if you agree that it's not a good idea to leave you alone, there's no way you won't get on that cruise, is there?"

     I chuckled. Ribeiro was very spirited, but I didn't want to get any hopes up:

     "Nice try! But it's better not... I meant: neither one thing nor the other."

     "Well that's a shame."

     He had told me about his plans for the vacation and the crazy things he wanted to do.

     Embarking on that cruise, then disembarking in Antarctica and camping somewhere in the middle of nowhere, with only penguins for company.

     "It's a dream I've had since I was eighteen. I've always been a fan of Amyr Klink. I love his books. But it will only be a few days. Then I take a lift back to the Besnard."

     "Yes, the ship will be in Martel Cove. Well, it's time to say goodbye. Good luck... Thank you for your company... And I'd like to apologize if anything I've done has displeased you. Take care, ok?"

     We exchanged a few more words and I said goodbye to Ribeiro, kissing his cheek. The feel of his stubble on my skin almost made me accept the New Year's Eve invitation. Watching him walk away, I thought he would be a good match. Again, I curbed the action of my hormones: 'Ema Arantes, control yourself'!
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¹ FAB: Brazilian Air Force.