Neighbor Lines Flashcards
Anda con Dios
(knock)
Pasa
Cómo estás?
Ya ves.
I went down to the store, so I came to see you. We live so far apart!
It’s been twenty years since i’ve walked up to the top of the street.
You’re okay.
You think so?
Things happen. Two days ago they brought in the son of my neighbor, with both his arms cut off by the machine.
Rafael?
Yes. And there you have him. I often think that your son and mine are better where /they/ are, asleep, resting, without the risk of being made useless.
Calla. Todo eso son invenciones, pero no consuelos.
Ay!
Ay!
And your son?
He went out.
He finally bought the vineyard!
He got lucky
Now he’ll marry.
(gossiping) Hey
What is it?
Do you know the bride to be of my son?
A fine girl!
Yes, but…
But there’s no one who knows her well. She lives alone with her father, so far out there, a days walk from the closest house. But of good character. Accustomed to solitude.
And her mother?
I met her mother. Beautiful. Her face shone like a saints; but I never liked her. She didn’t love her husband.
Pero, cuántas cosas sabéis de las gentes!
Perdona. I didn’t want to offend, but it’s the truth. Now, if she was a decent person or not, no one has said. That hasn’t been spoken of. She was proud.
Always the same.
You asked me.
I just wish that no one knew them, neither the dead one nor the living one. They should be like two thistles that no one names, they just prick when necessary.
You’re right. Your son is worth a lot.
He is important, that’s why I am careful with him. I’ve heard that the girl had a boyfriend a while ago.
She was fifteen or so. He got married two years ago, with one of her cousins in fact. No one remembers they were together.
Then how do you remember?
What questions you ask me!
Everybody wants to be aware of what will hurt them. Who was the boyfriend?
…Leonardo
Which Leonardo?
…Leonardo de los Félix
De los felix!
Mujer what blame does Leonardo have for anything? He was 8 years old when everything happened.
It’s true… But I hear the name Felix and it’s the same. Felix, and it fills my mouth with mud. And I have to spit, tengo que escupir por no matar.
Repórtate. How does that help?
It doesn’t. Pero tú lo comprendes.
Don’t get in the way of your son’s happiness. Don’t say anything to him. You’re old. So am I. It is our place to be silent.
I won’t say anything.
(kiss, left cheek) Nada
Las cosas!
I’m leaving, soon my people will come in from the field.
What a hot day it is.
The kids who take water to the harvesters were burnt black. Adiós mujer.
Calla.
No puedo.
… from the soles of my feet, from my roots? and they will burn hotter than blood.
Come over to my house, don’t stay here.
Y estas cuatro paredes. Ay! Ay!
Be kind with yourself.
(bride appears)
Where are you going?
Who is it?
Don’t you recognize her?
(fight)
Por Dios!
