It was striking that she waded in fully clothed—outfit and all—just as she always does.
Sunglasses, a black blouse, a black jacket, a long black skirt, and black high heels went into the water right along with her.
While some found it odd, others weren't surprised, as Danuzia is known for always bathing fully clothed—even in the shower and the bathtub...
"Judge, Dona Cícera’s family has brought more documents," he says.
Suely listens. She looks him in the eye. She isn't the kind of distant judge who bangs a gavel. She is the Suely who founded a local mediation project: before issuing a ruling, she tries to get people talking.
"Valdenes, schedule a meeting with both families here in the office. No robes, no fear. I want them to look each other in the eye—barefoot, if need be. Justice doesn't require high heels."
Why outside the courthouse?
Because Suely believes that people are afraid inside the courthouse. And when people are afraid, no one tells the truth.
In her office, people walk in—and if they wish, they take off their shoes at the door, have a cup of coffee, and tell their true stories.
Valdenes acts as the bridge. He is poor, a local, and known by everyone. He translates "legalese" into the language of the marketplace.
"She’s a judge, but she’s one of us," he tells the neighbors.
Not long ago, Margarete rejected Waldo, who was in love with her.
One day, however, while walking down a street in Berlin, she was annoyed to see Waldo kissing Karola.
It is hard to tell what she really wants.
Waldo is now happy with Karola, whereas Margarete is going through a rough patch with Jordan, her boyfriend.
Margarete slipped away from the two of them without even being noticed.
On a lovely night in Goldenville, Brielle got permission from her parents to go out with friends.
At one point, finding herself by a pool, Brielle couldn't resist and jumped in, much to her friends' surprise.
Not even the chilly Pennsylvania night deterred her.
When she got home, still wet, she got a scolding from her mother...
"When are you going to stop looking like an alien?"
"I love being bald, and I’m going to stay this way."
Just then, Rute, Samuel, and Alice appeared and came to Dina's defense.
Rute said:
"Isaías, do you still want to date me acting like this? Humiliating your own sweet cousin?"
"Stay out of this, Rute!
Samuel was about to hit Isaías, but Alice held him back. Samuel said:
"Let me smash that jerk's face in!"
"It’s not worth it!"
A teacher spotted them and took them to the principal's office. Sister Alcineia herself, the school principal, scolded Isaías and threatened him with suspension.
The year was 1915, in Germany.
Inalda, a young Jewish visual artist from Wittenberg, left her country due to World War I.
She chose Brazil, where she spent the rest of her life in what is now known as Lagoa da Italianinha.
Even so, Inalda continued to love Germany. She suffered from afar as she witnessed the dictatorship and, subsequently, the division of her country.
Wearing a black top and jeans, and barefoot, she sleeps on the streets of Lagoa da Italianinha. She has neither family nor a home.
One of her favorite pastimes is bathing in the town square's fountain. She pays no mind to the disapproving stares or the mockery.
The day arrived for the birthday of the most famous twin sisters in Lagoa da Italianinha: Wellia, who works in advertising, and Maria Luísa—...
