Зима тревоги нашей

           Thenightcameandtheysanglouderanddancedandasitgotneartimetherewasashootingstar,shesaid,andeverybodyscreamed.Shecouldstillrememberthescreaming.Likewolves,shesaid,likehyenas,althoughshehadneverheardahyena.Thenthemomentcame.White-dressedmenandwomenandchildrenheldtheirbreaths.Themomentwentonandon.Thechildrengotblueintheface—andthenitpassed.Itwasdoneandtheywerecheatedoutoftheirdestruction.Inthedawntheycreptdownthehillandtriedtogetbacktheclothestheyhadgivenaway,andthepotsandpansandtheiroxandtheirass.AndIrememberknowinghowbadtheymusthavefelt.

           Ithinkwhatbroughtthatbackwasthejets—allthatenormouseffortandtimeandmoneytostockpileallthatdeath.Wouldwefeelcheatedifweneverusedit?Wecanshootrocketsintospacebutwecan’tcureangerordiscontent.

           MyMaryopenedhereyes."Ethan,"shesaid,"you’retalkinginyourmind.Idon’tknowwhatit’saboutbutit’sloud.Stopthinking,Ethan."

           Iwasgoingtosuggestthatshegiveupdrinkbutshelookedtoomiserable.Idon’talwaysknowwhennottojoke,butthistimeIsaid,"Head?"

           "Yes."

           "Stomach?"

           "Yes."

           "Allover?"

           "Allover."

           "I’llgetyousomething."

           "Getmeagrave."

           "Staydown."

           "Ican’t.I’vegottogetthechildrenofftoschool."

           "I’lldoit."

           "You’vegottogotowork."

           "I’lldoit,Itellyou."

           Afteramomentshesaid,"Ethan,Idon’tthinkIcangetup.Ifeeltoobad."