Коллекционер

           Sheexplainedwhohewas.

           Shewasquietalongtime.Ifeltlikegivingherthepad.Gettingherdownstairsandoutofit.Iwantedtoberightalone.

           "Whatkindofdoctortoldyouyoucouldneverdoit?"

           Justadoctor.(ItwastheliesItoldher.Ineversawanydoctor,ofcourse.)

           "Apsychiatrist?"

           Inthearmy,Isaid.Apsychiatrist.

           "Whatsortofdreamsdidyouhaveaboutme?"

           Allsorts.

           "Nosexyones?"

           Shewouldgoonlikethat.Neverleaveitalone.

           I’dbeholdingyou,Isaid.That’sall.Wewouldbesleepingsidebysidewiththewindandtherainoutsideorsomething.

           "Wouldyouliketotrythatnow?"

           Itwouldn’tdoanygood.

           "I’lldoitifyouwantto."

           Idon’twantto,Isaid.

           Iwishyouneverstarted,Isaid.

           Shewassilent,itseemedages.

           "WhydoyouthinkIdidit?Justtoescape?"

           Notlove,Isaid.

           "ShallItellyou?"Shestoodup."YoumustrealizethatI’vesacrificedallmyprinciplestonight.Oh,yes,toescape.Iwasthinkingofthat.ButIdowanttohelpyou.Youmustbelievethat.Totrytoshowyouthatsex—sexisjustanactivity,likeanythingelse.It’snotdirty,it’sjusttwopeopleplayingwitheachother’sbodies.Likedancing.Likeagame."SheseemedtothinkIoughttosaysomething,butIlethertalk."I’mdoingsomethingforyouI’veneverdoneforanyman.And—well,Ithinkyouowemesomething."

           Isawhergame,ofcourse.Shewasveryartfulatwrappingupwhatshemeantinalotofwords.