Цветы для Элджернона

           Mystomachwaschurning.Oh,God,don’tletmefaintnow.Don’tletmelookridiculousinfrontofhim.

           "Water...somewater,please..."Notsomuchforthedrinkastomakehimturnaway.Ididn’twanthimtoseemelikethisafteralltheseyears.Bythetimehereturnedwithaglass,Ifeltalittlebetter.

           "Here,drinkthis.Restaminute.You’llbeokay."HestaredatmeasIsippedthecoolwater,andIcouldseehimstrugglingwithhalf-forgottenmemories."DoIreallyknowyoufromsomewhere?"

           "No...I’mokay.I’llleaveinaminute."

           HowcouldItellhim?"WhatwasIsupposedtosay?Here,lookatme,I’mCharlie,thesonyouwroteoffthebooks?NotthatIblameyouforit,buthereIam,allfixedupbetterthanever.Testme.Askmequestions.Ispeaktwentylanguages,livinganddead;I’mamathematicalwhiz,andI’mwritingapianoconcertothatwillmakethemremembermelongafterI’mgone.

           HowcouldItellhim?

           HowabsurdIwassittinginhisshop,waitingforhimtopatmeontheheadandsay,"Goodboy."Iwantedhisapproval,theoldglowofsatisfactionthatcametohisfacewhenIlearnedtotiemyownshoelacesandbuttonmysweater.Ihadcomehereforthatlookinhisface,butIknewIwouldn’tgetit.

           "Youwantmetocalladoctor?"

           Iwasn’thisson.ThatwasanotherCharlie.Intelli­genceandknowledgehadchangedme,andhewouldre­sentme—astheothersfromthebakeryresentedme—becausemygrowthdiminishedhim.Ididn’twantthat.

           "I’mokay,"Isaid."Sorrytobeanuisance."Igotupandtestedmylegs.