ully clothed. I didn't know anything else about myself until the next

nfused. He came over, and I didn't even look out to give him an excuse; I just wanted to be

ight colors of the tapestries. Nevertheless, I covered my face with the sheet again. Thoughts began to invade me: you left him alon

n't assume bad things w

und. The house was in disarray

rything was in disarray. Nothing seemed to be missing. I went down to the other two leve

my grandfat

or the jewel Grandfa

ng things back in their places, went to the riad whe

Fatima," he gre

for me," I replie

terday. I waited lik

e into my house?" "H

h. Why did you co

on more than

the real

ight. I don't understand why you're

ver, I was afraid of missing the point. I was excited, in

s something that's never happened to me before. This is the secon

't you thin

nyone in my pla

stranger, a me

g through to make my life a

that way. I thought we were

er, and he asked me to se

me. If you want, I

ow if it's

decide, I

ibrary, and I won't let you in except during the hours posted on the door. I'm not go

erstand. Join me for

ka

sorting out in my head. I suppose something similar was happening with Alfonso. Whatever his intention was, he had already shielded me. If h

hing," he commented,

I'm lis

ays. You'll be free until

ow, what's

re, to wa

h you when I can, okay? I have som

set with me. I want you to go ba

just nervous. I'll get ov

e first Fatima, the founder, the guide, the woman who had left us the responsibility of protecting knowledge and

gs my mother left behind;

gs. Of them, I only took the keys to the library. I remember wanting to store her things

s, connecting with the family energy, remembe

liked best," I said, leaving a trai

lay, and I lit a san

ou, Mother? Is it a jewel? H

er blankets and began carryi

now. Although I'm a small woma

eeks as I smelled her sce

use, Mom. Tell me what they're

en the bell rang. I remain