Коллекционер

           Iwassmiling,Iusedtosmilewhensheattackedmeasasortofdefence.

           "Don’tputonthatghastlysmile."

           There’snotmuchelseIcando.You’realwaysright.

           "ButIdon’twantalwaystoberight.TellmeI’mwrong!"

           Oh,you’reright,Isaid.Youknowyou’reright.

           "Oh,Ferdinand!"shesaid.Andthentwicemore,Ferdinand,Ferdinand,andshesortofprayedtoheavenandactedsomeoneingreatpain,soIhadtolaugh,butsuddenlyshewasallserious,orpretendingit.

           "It’snotalittlething.It’sterriblethatyoucan’ttreatmeasafriend.Forgetmysex.Justrelax."

           I’lltry,Isaid.Butthenshewouldn’tsitbymeagain.Sheleantagainstthewallreadinganotherbook.

           Anotherday,itwasdownstairs,shejustscreamed.Fornoreasonatall,Iwasfixingupapaintingshe’ddoneandwantedtoseeuponthewallandsuddenlysittingonthebedshescreamed,bloodcurdlingitwasandIjumpedroundanddroppedthetapeandshejustlaughed.

           What’sup,Isaid.

           "Ijustfeltlikeagoodscream,"shesaid.

           Shewasunpredictable.

           Shewasalwayscriticizingmywayofspeaking.OnedayIremembershesaid,"Youknowwhatyoudo?Youknowhowraintakesthecolouroutofeverything?That’swhatyoudototheEnglishlanguage.Youbluriteverytimeyouopenyourmouth."

           Thatisjustonesampleofmany,ofthewayshetreatedme.

           Anotherdayshegotroundmeonthesubjectofherparents.