Коллекционер

           Evencuff-links.

           He’swhatpeoplecalla"niceyoungman."

           Absolutelysexless(helooks).

           Hehasawayofstandingwithhishandsbyhissideorbehindhisback,asifhedoesn’tknowwhatonearthtodowiththem.Respectfullywaitingformetogivemyorders.

           Fish-eyes.Theywatch.That’sall.Noexpression.

           Hemakesmefeelcapricious.Likeadissatisfiedrichcustomer(he’samaleassistantinadraper’s).

           It’shisline.Themock-humble.Ever-so-sorry.

           Isitandeatmymealsandreadabookandhewatchesme.IfItellhimtogo,hegoes.

           He’sbeensecretlywatchingmefornearlytwoyears.Helovesmedesperately,hewasverylonely,heknewIwouldalwaysbe"above"him.Itwasawful,hespokesoawkwardly,healwayshastosaythingsinaroundaboutway,healwayshastojustifyhimselfatthesametime.Isatandlistened.Icouldn’tlookathim.

           Itwashisheart.Sickedupalloverthehideoustangerinecarpet.Wejustsattherewhenhehadfinished.WhenliegotuptogoItriedtotellhimthatIunderstood,thatIwouldn’tsayanythingifhewouldtakemehome,buthebackedawayout.Itriedtolookveryunderstanding,verysympathetic,butitseemedtofrightenhim.

           ThenextmorningItriedagain,Ifoundoutwhathisnamewas(vilecoincidence!),Iwasveryreasonable,Ilookedupathimandappealed,butonceagainitjustfrightenedhim.

           AtlunchItoldhimIcouldseehewasashamedofwhathewasdoing,andthatitwasn’ttoolate.