Цветы для Элджернона

           "Where’syoursenseofromance?"sheinsisted.Sheturnedontheradio,andadvancedtowardmemenacingly."I’mgoingtoteachyouthelateststeps."

           HowcanyougetannoyedatagirllikeFay?

           Atanyrate,I’mgladthatAlgernonisnolongeralone.

           June23

           Latelastnightthesoundoflaughterinthehallwayandatappingonmydoor.ItwasFayandaman.

           "Hi,Charlie,"shegiggledasshesawme."Leroy,meetCharlie.He’smyacross-the-hallneighbor.Awonderfulartist.Hedoessculpturewithalivingelement."

           Leroycaughtholdofherandkeptherfrombumpingintothewall.Helookedatmenervouslyandmumbledagreeting.

           "MetLeroyattheStardustBallroom,"sheexplained."He’saterrificdancer."Shestartedintoherapartmentandthenpulledhimback."Hey,"shegiggled,"whydon’tweinviteCharlieoverforadrinkandmakeitaparty?"

           Leroydidn’tthinkitwasagoodidea.

           Imanagedanapologyandpulledaway.Behindmycloseddoor,Iheardthemlaughingtheirwayintoherapartment,andthoughItriedtoread,thepictureskeptforcingtheirwayintomymind:abigwhitebed...whitecoolsheetsandthetwoofthemineachother’sarms.

           IwantedtophoneAlice,butIdidn’t.Whytormentmyself?Icouldn’tevenvisualizeAlice’sface.IcouldpictureFay,dressedorundressed,atwill,withhercrispblueeyesandherblondehairbraidedandcoiledaroundherheadlikeacrown.Faywasclear,butAlicewaswrappedinmist.