Девять рассказов

           Idon’tknow,butitseemstome—"

           "Grownwoman!Youcrazy?She’sagrownchild,forChrissake!Listen,I’llbeshaving—listentothis—I’llbeshaving,andallofasuddenshe’llcallmefromwaythehelltheotherendoftheapartment.I’llgoseewhat’sthematter—rightinthemiddleofshaving,latherallovermygoddamface.Youknowwhatshe’llwant?She’llwanttoaskmeifIthinkshehasagoodmind.IsweartoGod.She’spathetic,Itellya.Iwatchherwhenshe’sasleep,andIknowwhatI’mtalkin’about.Believeme."

           "Well,that’ssomethingyouknowbetterthan—Imeanthat’soutofmyjurisdiction,"thegray-hairedmansaid."Thepointis,Goddamnit,youdon’tdoanythingatallconstructiveto—"

           "We’remismated,that’sall.That’sthewholesimplestory.We’rejustmismatedashell.Youknowwhatsheneeds?Sheneedssomebigsilentbastardtojustwalkoveronceinawhileandknockheroutcold—thengobackandfinishreadinghispaper.That’swhatsheneeds.I’mtoogoddamweakforher.Iknewitwhenwegotmarried—IsweartoGodIdid.Imeanyou’reasmartbastard,you’veneverbeenmarried,buteverynowandthen,beforeanybodygetsmarried,theygettheseflashesofwhatit’sgoingtobelikeafterthey’remarried.Iignored’em.Iignoredallmygoddamflashes.I’mweak.That’sthewholethinginanutshell."

           "You’renotweak.Youjustdon’tuseyourhead,"thegray-hairedmansaid,acceptingafreshlylightedcigarettefromthegirl.