Бойцовский клуб

           Thenwecansplittheweek,Isay. Marlacanhavebonedisease,brainparasites,andtuberculosis. I’llkeeptesticularcancer,bloodparasites,andorganicbraindementia. 

           Marlasays, "Whataboutascendingbowelcancers?" 

           Thegirlhasdoneherhomework. 

           We’llsplitbowelcancer. ShegetsitthefirstandthirdSundayofeverymonth. 

           "No,"Marlasays. No,shewantsitall. Thecancers,theparasites. Marla’seyesnarrow. Sheneverdreamedshecouldfeelsomarvelous. Sheactuallyfeltalive. Herskinwasclearingup. Allherlife,sheneversawadeadperson. Therewasnorealsenseoflifebecauseshehadnothingtocontrastitwith. Oh,butnowtherewasdyinganddeathandlossandgrief. Weepingandshuddering,terrorandremorse. Nowthatsheknowswherewe’reallgoing,Marlafeelseverymomentofherlife. 

           No,shewasn’tleavinganygroup. 

           "Notandgobacktothewaylifefeltbefore,"Marlasays. "Iusedtoworkinafuneralhometofeelgoodaboutmyself,justthefactIwasbreathing. SowhatifIcouldn’tgetajobinmyfield." 

           Thengobacktoyourfuneralhome,Isay. 

           "Funeralsarenothingcomparedtothis,"Marlasays. "Funeralsareallabstractceremony. Here,youhavearealexperienceofdeath." 

           Couplesaroundthetwoofusaredryingtheirtears,sniffing,pattingeachotheronthebackandlettinggo.