Коллекционер

           Mustbeforty—whatcouldheseeinher?Thenalongtimeafterthat,itwasMay,andI’dbeenthenightbefore,buthewasout(orinbedwithsomeone?)andthateveninghewasinandalone,andwetalkedsometime(hewastellingmeaboutJohnMinton)andthenheputonanIndianrecordandwewerequiet.Buthedidn’tshuthiseyesthattime,hewaslookingatmeandIwasembarrassed.Whentheragaendedtherewasasilence.Isaid,shallIturnit?buthesaid,no.Hewasintheshadow,Icouldn’tseehimverywell.

           Suddenlyhesaid,Wouldyouliketocometobed?

           Isaid,noIwouldn’t.HecaughtmebysurpriseandIsoundedfoolish.Frightened.

           Hesaid,hiseyesstillonme,tenyearsagoIwouldhavemarriedyou.Youwouldhavebeenmyseconddisastrousmarriage.

           Itwasn’treallyasurprise.Ithadbeenwaitingforweeks.

           Hecameandstoodbyme.You’resure?

           Isaid,Ihaven’tcomehereforthat.Atall.

           Itseemedsounlikehim.Socrude.Ithinknow,Iknownow,hewasbeingkind.Deliberatelyobviousandcrude.Justashesometimesletsmebeathimatchess.

           HewenttomakeTurkishcoffeeandhesaidthroughthedoor,you’remisleading.Iwentandstoodinthekitchendoor,whilehewatchedthevriki.Helookedbackatme.Icouldswearyouwantitsometimes.

           Howoldareyou?Isaid.

           Icouldbeyourfather.Isthatwhatyoumean?

           Ihatepromiscuity,Isaid.Ididn’tmeanthat.

           Hehadhisbackturnedtome.Ifeltangrywithhim,heseemedsoirresponsible.