Коллекционер

           Oneofthesaddest,Icouldn’thelpsaying.

           "No,it’snot.It’sthebeginningofanewlife.Andanewyou."Andshereachedoutherhandandtookmineandledmeupthesteps.

           Itwaspouringandshetookonebreathonlybeforeshewentintothekitchenandthroughthedining-roomintothelounge.

           "It’snice,"shesaid.

           Ithoughtyousaidthatwordmeantnothing,Isaid.

           "Somethingsarenice.CanIhaveaglassofsherry?"Ipouredusoneouteach.Well,westoodthere,shemademelaugh,shekeptonpretendingthattheroomwasfullofpeople,wavingatthem,andtellingmeaboutthem,andthemaboutmynewlife,andthensheputarecordonthegramophone,itwassoftmusic,andshelookedbeautiful.Shewassochanged,hereyesseemedalive,andwhatwiththeFrenchscentshehadthatfilledtheroomandthesherryandtheheatfromthefire,reallogs,ImanagedtoforgetwhatIhadtodolater.Ievensaidsomesillyjokes.Anywayshelaughed.

           Well,shehadasecondglassandthenwewentthroughtotheotherroomwhereI’dslippedmypresentinherplace,whichshesawatonce.

           "Forme?"

           Lookandsee,Isaid.Shetookoffthepaperandtherewasthisdarkblueleathercaseandshepressedthebuttonandshejustdidn’tsayanything.Shejuststaredatthem.

           "Aretheyreal?"Shewasawed,reallyawed.

           Ofcourse.They’reonlylittlestones,butthey’rehighquality.

           "They’refantastic,"shesaid.Thensheheldouttheboxtome."Ican’ttakethem.