Pedro Páramo

by Juan Rulfo

—That’s strange. We were still young back then, of course. And she was just married. But we loved each other a lot. Your mother was so pretty, or rather so sweet, that it was a pleasure to love her. You couldn’t help but love her. So, she beat me to it, huh? But you can be sure I’ll catch up to her. No one knows better than I do just how far we are from Heaven, but I also know a shortcut. God willing, it’s about dying at a time of your own choosing rather than according to His time. Or, you might say, it’s about forcing His hand a bit early. Forgive me for speaking to you as family, it’s because I consider you my son. Yes, I often said: “Dolores’s boy should’ve been mine.” Later I’ll tell you why. For now, let’s just say I’m going to catch up to your mother on one of the roads that lead to eternity.