"I never really knew my parents," Amelie said. "None of us do. How can we, in this world? They were always patient with me, and I think perhaps they loved me in their own strange way, but I never really saw them , did I? I only saw the facade that the very old create to show to the very young. We can’t love each other simply and directly; there’s too much distance between our hearts. The situation isn’t humane, it’s not natural. It hurts!"