Цветы для Элджернона

           AboutanhourlaterIheardshoutingfromFay’sapart­ment,thenherscreamandthesoundofthingsbeingthrown,butasIstartedoutofbedtoseeifsheneededhelp,Iheardthedoorslam—Leroycursingasheleft.Then,afewminutesafterward,Iheardatappingonmylivingroomwindow.Itwasopen,andFayslippedinandsatontheledge,ablacksilkkimonorevealinglovelylegs.

           "Hi,"shewhispered,"gotacigareet?"

           Ihandedheroneandsheslippeddownfromthewin­dowledgetothecouch."Whew!"shesighed,"Icanusu­allytakecareofmyself,butthere’sonetypethat’ssohungryit’sallyoucandotoholdthemoff."

           "Oh,"Isaid,"youbroughthimupheretoholdhimoffi"

           Shecaughtmytoneandlookedupsharply."Youdon’tapprove?"

           "WhoamItodisapprove?Butifyoupickupaguyinapublicdancehallyou’vegottoexpectadvances.Hehadtherighttomakeapassatyou."

           Sheshookherhead."IgototheStardustBallroombecauseIliketodance,andIdon’tseethatbecauseIletaguybringmehomeI’vegottogotobedwithhim.Youdon’tthinkIwenttobedwithhim,doyou?"

           Myimageofthetwoofthemineachothersarmspoppedlikesoapbubbles.

           "Nowifyouweretheguy,"shesaid,"itwouldbedifferent."

           "Whatisthatsupposedtomean?"

           "Justwhatitsoundslike.Ifyouaskedme,I’dgotobedwithyou."

           Itriedtokeepmycomposure."Thanks,"Isaid."I’llkeepthatinmind.CanIgetyouacupofcoffee?"

           "Charlie,Ican’tfigureyouout.Mostmenlikemeornot,andIknowitrightaway.Butyouseemafraidofme.