Зима тревоги нашей

           MarythoughtitwouldbenicetospendSundaynightinoneoftheguesthouses.

           EllenwantedtogointoNewYork,stayatahotel,andspendtwodaysinTimesSquare.Allendidn’twanttogoatall,anyplace.That’soneofhiswaysofgettingattentionandprovingthatheexists.

           Thehouseboiledwithemotion—Elleninslow,dripping,juicytears,Marytiredandflushedwithfrustration,Allensittingsullenandwithdrawnwithhislittleradioblastinginhisear,athumpingwhiningsongofloveandlossinavoiceofsub-hysteria."Youpromisedtobetrue,andthenyoutookandthrew,mylovin’lonelyheartrightonthefloor."

           "I’maboutreadytogiveup,"Marysaid.

           "They’rejusttryingtohelp."

           "Theyseemtogooutoftheirwaytobedifficult."

           "Inevergettodoanything."Ellensniffled.

           InthelivingroomAllenturnedupthevolume."...mylovin’lonelyheartrightonthefloor."

           "Couldn’twelocktheminthecellarandgooffbyourselves,carotene,dear."

           "Youknow,atthispointIwishwecould."Shehadtoraisehervoicetobeheardoverthepoundingroarofthelovin’lonelyheart.

           Withoutwarningaragecameupinme.Iturnedandstrodetowardthelivingroomtotearmysontoshredsandthrowhislonelylovin’corpseonthefloorandtrampleit.AsIwentlopingthroughthedoorthemusicstopped."Weinterruptthisprogramtobringyouaspecialbulletin.