CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

GREAT SOBRIETY

Disturbing dreams filled Túlio's sleep all night long. As he hadn't been sleeping well for days, even though he was drunk and feeling very sick and tired, he slept at least two hours that time. It felt so real to have loved Cloe again. To feel her skin in his hands, feel her kisses, her response. Before opening his eyes to a monstrous headache, as he already felt it lurking, behind his eyes were only pain and dryness. His head throbbed and spun. He imagined that if he opened his eyes and focused them, the pain would explode. Why was he doing this to himself? He thought despondently.

His mouth was bitter, his throat so dry that it gave him the impression that his tongue had doubled in size and lay thick and sticky in his mouth. Was it really a dream? Were they okay again, Cloe and him? Had she forgiven him for being damn insensitive? Had she forgiven him for so many cruelties he had been doing to her? The feeling in his body was that they had made love hours ago and that