Девять рассказов

           Icouldgodownstairstothepool,andtheremightnotbeanywaterinit.Thismightbethedaytheychangethewaterorsomething.Whatmighthappen,though,Imightwalkuptotheedgeofit,justtohavealookatthebottom,forinstance,andmysistermightcomeupandsortofpushmein.Icouldfracturemyskullanddieinstantaneously."TeddylookedatNicholson."Thatcouldhappen,"hesaid."Mysister’sonlysix,andshehasn’tbeenahumanbeingforverymanylives,andshedoesn’tlikemeverymuch.Thatcouldhappen,allright.Whatwouldbesotragicaboutit,though?What’stheretobeafraidof,Imean?I’djustbedoingwhatIwassupposedtodo,that’sall,wouldn’tI?"

           Nicholsonsnortedmildly."Itmightnotbeatragedyfromyourpointofview,butitwouldcertainlybeasadeventforyourmotheranddad,"hesaid"Everconsiderthat?"

           "Yes,ofcourse,Ihave,"Teddysaid."Butthat’sonlybecausetheyhavenamesandemotionsforeverythingthathappens."Hehadbeenkeepinghishandstuckedunderhislegsagain.Hetookthemoutnow,puthisarmsuponthearmrests,andlookedatNicholson."YouknowSven?Themanthattakescareofthegym?"heasked.HewaitedtillhegotanodfromNicholson."Well,ifSvendreamedtonightthathisdogdied,he’dhaveavery,verybadnight’ssleep,becausehe’sveryfondofthatdog.Butwhenhewokeupinthemorning,everythingwouldbeallright.He’dknowitwasonlyadream."

           Nicholsonnodded.