They grew up together, sharing games, outings, homework and vacations;
with barely a year apart, and the logical fights and reconciliations between brothers continued, as time went by and their circumstances.
They finished high school, and graduated in the same career, Veterinary Medicine.
It was no surprise to anyone: since they were children they could spend hours studying insects, searching for them with a magnifying glass in the most remote places.
They got married almost at the same time and got married almost at the same time.
The profession led them to leave the city and move to the Interior.
He moved in first, with his wife and his newborn baby.
Months later she and her husband would follow.
In the new destination she would become the mother of three children.
The cousins would repeat the close and endearing relationship of their parents.
Far from their family of origin, the bond between the elders intensified: two nearby houses with open doors, barbecues, long after-dinner meals, mutual accompaniment, confidences and complicities now transferred to the new generation.
Until, suddenly, protective as she had always been, a comment from her about some negligence on the part of his wife broke the relationship that seemed indestructible.
Neither the good offices of the parents nor the attempts at rapprochement tried by the rest of the siblings managed to unite what a misunderstanding had separated.
Years passed.
Almost timidly, he extended an invitation to her daughter's communion.
She accepted.
This time, the family photo once again included the two brothers.
No one predicts how the story will continue.
“But it's a start,” says the excited father, who finally managed to sleep for a whole night.