Close Up: The Odd Couple

For this week’s edition of Close Up, we’re going to focus on the Relationship between Laura (a former Coppolla) and Edson (a pot smoking Brazilian immigrant).

When I first arrived at Don Ramón de la Cruz 91, I was greeted by two figures both in bathrobes: Laura and Edson. It was at that point that Edson was introduced to me as a “friend” who would be staying at the apartment only until he found a place of his own. I soon began to notice that that was, however, not so much the case.

I began to get suspicious when Edson would refer to Laura’s family members with such familiarity and they to him. However, I told myself that the couldn’t possibly be a couple… He sleeps in a separate (and rather small) bedroom and they didn’t seem to have romantic interactions. As the weeks have progressed and we have all become a little more comfortable around one another, the two of them (mommy and daddy as I like to call them) have begun to let their guard down a little. Edson, for instance, has begun to call Laura “mi amor” and even has begun to give her little affectionate kisses on the forehead when I’m around.

It was about a week ago, after I had settled into my room to read a little bit (or a lot bit…) when I went back into the living/dining room to say “¡buenas noches!” when I saw the first sign that something more was going on. Mommy was sitting in daddy’s lap and he had his arms around her waist while they were watching the news or some nature documentary… Actually, now that I think about it, it was probably fútbol. Anyway, that’s when my suspicions began to reawaken.

Let’s jump forward a little ways…

This morning (Sunday October 14, 2007) I woke up around 10:30 and after waiting a little bit opened my door and wasn’t sure exactly where I heard her but I could hear mommy laughing a little bit… “Strange,” I thought, “it sounds like Edson is with her…” Then I looked straight in front of me at the bathroom door. Mommy and daddy were bathing together (Okay… kinda awkward) So I quietly re-closed my door and pretended that I hadn’t yet left my room. Well that didn’t work so well… When I heard the door to the bathroom open I waited a minute or two and then emerged from my room as well.

Laura and I greeted each other with our usual good mornings and then she proceeded to tell me that the two of them were showering together and that they were worried when they heard me that I had to go to the bathroom very badly… “No,” I assured her. That was the end of that… Or so I thought…

After breakfast the two of them went out of the living/dining room and I went into the kitchen to clean off my plates and my Coca-Cola Christmas tray when I heard more giggling coming from the bathroom (“These two are like horny teenagers,” I thought rather snootily to my self). I walked by to find Edson sitting on the toilet and Laura sitting on the edge of the tub while Edson gave her a pedicure of sorts. All the while Edson was explaining how the beaches in Rio (remember the guy is from Brazil) are divided between the “guapos” and the “feos” (the pretty people and the uglies). So long story short, I’m not sure what to make of their relationship. It sure doesn’t seem like daddy’s moving out anytime soon (or getting a job for that matter… Laura seems to be a pretty good sugar mama to him afterall…).

As the weeks and months continue we’ll continue to report on any developments or confessions regarding this extremely illusive couple. ‘Til next time.