LAFORET, Carmen

Nada / Nothing

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I felt a wretched, useless sadness there by myself. The truth is I didn’t know anyone and felt out of touch. It seemed as if a pile of illustrations that I'd arranged in the shape of a castle to pass the time had fallen at a single gust, as if it were a children’s game. Illustrations of Pons buying carnations for me, Pons promising me ideal summer vacations, Pons leading me by the hand, out of my house and toward happiness

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I went down the stairs slowly. I felt a strong emotion. I remembered the terrible expectation, the longing for life when I had climbed them for the first time. I was leaving now without having known any of the things I had confusedly hoped for: life in its plenitude, deep interests, love. I was taking nothing from the house on Calle Aribau

…..
I remembered the terrible expectation, the longing for life when I climbed [the stairs] for the first time. I was leaving now without having known any of the things I had confusedly hoped for: life in its plenitude, joy, deep interests, love. I was taking nothing from the house on Calle de Aribau. At least, that's what I thought then.

…..