Цветы для Элджернона

           Once—duringabakerydelivery—Charliehadnearlyfaintedwhenamiddle-agedwoman,justoutofthebath,amusedherselfbyopeningherbathrobeandexposingher­self.Hadheeverseenawomanwithoutclotheson?Didheknowhowtomakelove?Histerror—hiswhining—musthavefrightenedherbecausesheclutchedherrobetogetherandgavehimaquartertoforgetwhathadhappened.Shewasonlytestinghim,shewarned,toseeifhewasagoodboy.

           Hetriedtobegood,hetoldher,andnotlookatwomen,becausehismotherusedtobeathimwheneverthathappenedinhispants....

           NowhehadtheclearpictureofCharlie’smother,screamingathim,holdingaleatherbeltinherhand,andhisfathertryingtoholdherback."Enough,Rose!You’llkillhim!Leavehimalone!"Hismotherstrainingforwardtolashathim,justoutofreachnowsothatthebeltswishespasthisshoulderashewrithesandtwistsawayfromitonthefloor.

           "Lookathim!"Rosescreams."Hecan’tlearntoreadandwrite,butheknowsenoughtolookatagirlthatway.I’llbeatthatfilthoutofhismind."

           "Hecan’thelpitifhegetsanerection.It’snormal.Hedidn’tdoanything."

           "He’sgotnobusinesstothinkthatwayaboutgirls.Afriendofhissister’scomestothehouseandhestartsthink­inglikethat!I’llteachhimsoheneverforgets.Doyouhear?Ifyouevertouchagirl,I’llputyouawayinacage,likeananimal,fortherestofyourlife.Doyouhearme?..."

           Istillhearher.ButperhapsIhadbeenreleased