Коллекционер

           Shewantedsomeofthesherryweneverfinished(therewasstillhalfabottlethere)andIpoureditoutandshestoodbythelogfirelookingdownintoit,holdingoutherbarefeetturnbyturntowarmthem.Westoodtheredrinking;wedidn’tsayanythingbutshegavemeoneortwofunnylooks,likesheknewsomethingIdidn’tandthatmademenervous.

           Wellshehadanotherglass,anddrankitoffinaminuteandthenwantedanother.

           "Sitdown,"shesaid,soIsatdownonthesofawhereshepointed.Foramomentshewatchedmesittingthere.Thenshestoodinfrontofme,veryfunny,lookingdownatme,movingfromfoottofoot.Thenshecame,twist,bangshesatonmyknees.Ittookmerightbysurprise.Somehowshegotherarmsrightroundmyheadandthenextthingwasshewaskissingmeatthemouth.Thenlayingherheadonmyshoulder.

           "Don’tbesostiff,"shesaid.

           Iwaslikestunned.Itwasthelastthing.

           "Putyourarmroundme,"shesaid."There.Isn’tthatnice?AmIheavy?"Andsheleantherheadagainonmyshoulder,whileIhadmyhandonherwaist.ShewasallwarmandperfumedandIhavetosaythatherhousecoatwasopenverylowandfellaparttoabovetheknees,butshedidn’tseemtocare,shejuststretchedherlegsalongthesofa.

           What’sup?Isaid.

           "You’resounrelaxed.Justrelax.There’snothingtoworryabout."Well,Itried,shelaystill,butIknewtherewassomethingwronginthesituation.

           "Whydon’tyoukissme?"

           Iknewsomethingwasreallyonthen.