Цветы для Элджернона

           Thefather,MatthewGordon,whoisnotlivingwithhiswifeanddaughter,nowoperatesabarber­shopintheBronx.

           Istaredatthenewsstoryforawhile,andthenIturnedbackandlookedatthepictureagain.HowcanIdescribethem?

           Ican’tsayIrememberRose’sface.Althoughtherecentphotographisaclearone,Istillseeitthroughthegauzeofchildhood.Iknewher,andIdidn’tknowher.Hadwepassedonthestreet,Iwouldnothaverecognizedher,butnow,knowingsheismymother,Icanmakeoutthefaintdetails—yes!

           Thin,drawnintoexaggeratedlines.Sharpnoseandchin.AndIcanalmosthearherchatterandbird-screech.Hairdoneupinabun,severely.Piercingmewithherdarkeyes.IwanthertotakemeintoherarmsandtellmeIamagoodboy,andatthesametimeIwanttoturnawaytoavoidaslap.Herpicturemakesmetremble.

           AndNorma—thin-facedtoo.Featuresnotsosharp,pretty,butverymuchlikemymother.Herhairworndowntohershoulderssoftensher.Thetwoofthemaresit­tingonthelivingroomcouch.

           ItwasRose’sfacethatbroughtbackthefrighteningmemories.Shewastwopeopletome,andIneverhadanywayofknowingwhichshewouldbe.Perhapsshewouldre­vealittoothersbyagestureofhand,araisedeyebrow,afrown—mysisterknewthestormwarnings,andshewouldalwaysbeoutofrangewhenevermymother’stemperflared—butitalwayscaughtmeunawares.Iwouldcometoherforcomforting,andherangerwouldbreakoverme.