Зима тревоги нашей

           Sheisaleaner,leansonme,breathesonmetoo,butherbreathissweetlikeacow’sbreath.She’satoucher,too.

           Ellenleanedonthearmofmychairandherthinlittleshouldertouchedmine.Sheranonepinkfingerdownmycoatsleeveandontothehairsonmywristandittickled.Theblondhairsonherarmshonelikegolddustunderthelamp.Adeviousone,sheis,butthenIguessallgirl-girl-girlsare.

           "Nailpolish,"Isaid.

           "Mamaletsmeifit’sonlypink.Yournailsarerough."

           "Aren’tthey?"

           "Butthey’reclean."

           "Iscrubbedthem."

           "IhatedirtynailslikeAllen’s."

           "MaybeyoujusthateAllenlock,stock,andbobtail."

           "Ido."

           "Goodforyou.Whydon’tyoukillhim?"

           "You’resilly."Shecrawledherfingersbehindmyear.She’sprobablymakingsomeboykidsverynervousalready.

           "Ihearyouareworkingonyouressay."

           "Stinkertoldyou."

           "Isitgood?"

           "Oh,yes!Verygood.I’llletyoureaditwhenit’sdone."

           "Honored.Iseeyou’redressedfortheoccasion."

           "Thisoldthing?I’msavingmynewdressfortomorrow."

           "Goodidea.There’llbeboys."

           "Ihateboys.Idohateboys."

           "Iknowyoudo.Hostilityisyourmotto.Idon’tlike’emmuchmyself.Nowleanoffmeaminute.Iwanttoreadthepaper."

           Sheflouncedlikea1920smoviestarandinstantlytookherrevenge."Whenareyougoingtoberich?"

           Yes,she’llgivesomemanabadtime.Myinstinctwastograbherandpaddleherbutthat’sexactlywhatshewanted.Idobelieveshehadeyeshadowon.