By Antonio di Benedetto (1922–86), from Nest in the Bones, a collection of his stories that was published this month by Archipelago Books. Di Benedetto was an Argentine journalist and the author of Zama (New York Review Books). Translated from the Spanish by Martina Broner.

On my regular route, from the office to my room, from my room to the office, I go through the pedestrian tunnel that opens up at Goya, sneaks under Calle Doctor Esquerdo, and emerges in front of the honey shop. Around the corner, on the street lined with what once were gaslights, is where…