I See You Never

"I See You Never" is a short story by author Ray Bradbury. This story was originally published in 1947 by The New Yorker Magazine, Inc. It is included in the collection "A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories" (2005).

Plot summary

Mr. Ramirez, a native of Mexico City, travels by bus to Los Angeles via San Diego. For two years, he takes up residence at a rooming house run by Mrs. O'Brian. Mr. Ramirez is simple and hard-working individual who works at an airplane factory. One day, Mr. Ramirez appears outside Mrs. O'Brian's back porch, accompanied by two police officers. He informs her that he must now give up his room. He had been living there for thirty months — six months too long, adds one police officer, for he only had a temporary working visa. As Mr. Ramirez says goodbye for the last time, he exclaims, "Mrs. O'Brian, I see you never.."

Shortly thereafter, as Mrs. O'Brian resumes her unfinished meal, she suddenly stops and realizes for the first time that she will never see Mr. Ramirez again.