Цветы для Элджернона

           Theex­citementthatcameovermewhenIkissedheragaincom­municateditself,andIwassureIcouldbenormalwithher.ShewasdifferentfromAlice.Shewasthekindofwomanwhohadbeenaround.

           Thenhervoicechanged,uncertain."Beforewego...Justonething..."Shestoodupandtookasteptowardmeinthesprayoflamplight,openinghercoat,andIcouldseetheshapeofherbodyasIhadnotimagineditallthetimeweweresittingnexttoeachotherintheshadows."Onlythefifthmonth,"shesaid."Itdoesn’tmakeanydifference.Youdon’tmind,doyou?"

           Standingtherewithhercoatopen,shewassuperim­posedasadoubleexposureonthepictureofthemiddle-agedwomanjustoutofthebathtub,holdingopenherbathrobeforCharlietosee.AndIwaited,asablasphemerwaitsforlightning.Ilookedaway.ItwasthelastthingIhadexpected,butthecoatwrappedtightlyaroundheronsuchahotnightshouldhavewarnedmethatsomethingwaswrong.

           "It’snotmyhusband’s,"sheassuredme."Iwasn’tlyingtoyouaboutwhatIsaidbefore.Ihaven’tseenhimforyears.ItwasasalesmanImetabouteightmonthsago.Iwaslivingwithhim.I’mnotgoingtoseehimanymore,butI’mgoingtokeepthebaby.We’vejustgottobecare­ful—notroughoranythinglikethat.Butotherwiseyoudon’thavetoworry."

           Hervoicerandownwhenshesawmyanger."That’sfilthy!"Ishouted."Yououghttobeashamedofyourself."

           Shedrewaway,wrappinghercoatquicklyaroundhertoprotectwhatlaywithin.