Зима тревоги нашей

           I’llwait."

           Idashedforthetoilet,closedthedoor,andpulledthechaintomakearushofwater.Ihadn’tswitchedonthelight.Isatthereinthedark.Myquakingstomachplayedalong.InamomentIreallyhadtogo,andIdid,andslowlythebeatingpressureinmesubsided.Iaddedaby-lawtotheMorphycode.Incaseofaccident,changeyourplan—instantly.

           IthashappenedtomebeforethatincrisisorgreatdangerIhavesteppedoutandapartandasaninterestedstrangerwatchedmyself,mymovementsandmymind,butimmunetotheemotionsofthethingobserved.Sittingintheblackness,Isawtheotherpersonfoldhisperfectplanandputitinaboxandclosethelidandshovethethingnotonlyoutofsightbutoutofthought.ImeanthatbythetimeIstoodupinthedarknessandzippedandsmoothedandlaidmyhandontheflimsyplywooddoor,Iwasagroceryclerkpreparedforabusyday.Itwasnosecretiveness.Itwasreallyso.Iwonderedwhattheyoungmanwanted,butonlywiththepaleapprehensionthatcomesfromalow-gradefearofcops.

           "Sorrytokeepyouwaiting,"Isaid."Can’trememberwhatIatetocausethat."

           "There’savirusgoingaround,"hesaid."Mywifehaditlastweek."

           "Well,thisviruscarriedagun.Inearlygotcaughtshort.WhatcanIdoforyou?"

           Heseemedembarrassed,apologetic,almostshy."Aguydoesfunnythings,"hesaid.

           Iovercameanimpulsetosay,Ittakesallkinds—andI’mgladIdidbecausehisnextwordswere,"Inmybusinessyoumeetallkinds.