She told him of ship voyages she had taken to places he had never heard of, and stories he knew were all untrue, were bad not-truths, even, but he nodded, and tried to convince himself to be convinced, tried to believe her, because he knew that the origin of the story is always an absence and he wanted to live among presences.
The passage reflects a conversation between two characters, where one shares fantastical tales of her travels to unknown places. Despite recognizing that her stories are likely fabrications, he listens intently, hoping to accept her narrative. His desire to believe her stems from a deeper longing for connection and presence in his life.
This reveals an important theme of the human condition: the yearning for authenticity and meaningful relationships. The character's struggle between truth and falsehood highlights how individuals often seek out connections, even if those connections are based on untruths, due to a fundamental need for companionship and understanding.
