Цветы для Элджернона

           Andothertimestherewouldbetendernessandholding-closelikeawarmbath,andhandsstrokingmyhairandbrow,andthewordscarvedabovethecathedralofmychildhood:

           He’slikealltheotherchildren.

           He’sagoodboy.

           Iseebackthroughthedissolvingphotograph,myselfandfatherleaningoverabassinet.He’sholdingmebythehandandsaying,"Theresheis.Youmustn’ttouchherbe­causeshe’sverylittle,butwhenshegetsbiggeryou’llhaveasistertoplaywith."

           Iseemymotherinthehugebednearby,bleachedandpasty,armslimpontheorchid-figuredcomforter,raisingherheadanxiously."Watchhim,Matt—"

           Thatwasbeforeshehadchangedtowardsme,andnowIrealizeitwasbecauseshehadnowayofknowingyetifNormawouldbelikemeornot.Itwaslateron,whenshewassureherprayershadbeenanswered,andNormashowedallsignsofnormalintelligence,thatmymother’svoicebegantosounddifferent.Notonlyhervoice,buthertouch,herlook,herverypresence—allchanged.Itwasasifhermagneticpoleshadreversedandwheretheyhadonceattractednowrepelled.IseenowthatwhenNormafloweredinourgardenIbecameaweed,allowedtoexistonlywhereIwouldnotbeseen,incornersanddarkplaces.

           Seeingherfaceinthenewspaper,Isuddenlyhatedher.Itwouldhavebeenbetterifshehadignoredthedoc­torsandteachersandotherswhoweresoinahurrytocon­vinceherthatIwasamoron,turningherawayfrommesothatshegavemelesslovewhenIneededmore.