Зима тревоги нашей

           Perhapsshehadn’tbeenasleep.ShewasinEllen’sroom,sittingontheedgeofthebed.Thestreetlightmadeherplainenoughwithshadowsofleavesmovingonherface.Shewasarock,agreatgraniterocksetinatiderace.Itwastrue.Shewastoughasaboot,unmoving,unyielding,andsafe.

           "Willyoubecomingtobed,Ethan?"

           Soshehadbeenlisteningtoo.

           "Notnow,mydarlingdear."

           "Areyougoingoutagain?"

           "Yes—towalk."

           "Youneedyoursleep.It’sstillraining.Doyouhavetogo?"

           "Yes.There’saplace.Ihavetogothere."

           "Takeyourraincoat.Youforgotitbefore."

           "Yes,mydarling."

           Ididn’tkissherthen.Icouldn’twiththeballedandcoveredfigurebesideher.ButItouchedhershoulderandItouchedherfaceandshewastoughasaboot.

           Iwenttothebathroomforamomentforapackageofrazorblades.

           Iwasinthehall,reachingintheclosetforaraincoatasMarywished,whenIheardascuffleandascrambleandarushandEllenflungherselfatme,gruntingandsnuffling.Sheburiedherbleedingnoseagainstmybreastandpinnedmyelbowsdownwithencirclingarms.Andherwholelittlebodyshook.

           Itookherbytheforelockandpulledherheadupunderthehallnightlight.

           "Takemewithyou."

           "Silly,Ican’t.Butifyou’llcomeinthekitchen,I’llwashyourface."

           "Takemewithyou.You’renotcomingback."

           "Whatdoyoumean,skookum?OfcourseI’mcomingback.I’malwayscomingback.Yougouptobedandrest.Thenyou’llfeelbetter."