Цветы для Элджернона

           Youwereadifferentperson—liketheydowithmethod-acting—andyoukeptsayingyoucouldn’tplaywithmebecauseyourmotherwouldtakeawayyourpeanutsandputyouinacage."

           "Peanuts?"

           "Yeah!Sohelpme!"shelaughed,scratchingherhead."AndyoukeptsayingIcouldn’thaveyourpeanuts.Theweirdest.ButItellyou,thewayyoutalked!Likethosedimwitsonstreetcorners,whoworkthemselvesupbyjustlookingatagirl.Adifferentguycompletely.AtfirstIthoughtyouwerejustkiddingaround,butnowIthinkyou’recompulsiveorsomething.Allthisneatnessandwor­ryingabouteverything."

           Itdidn’tupsetme,althoughIwouldhaveexpecteditto.Somehow,gettingdrunkhadmomentarilybrokendowntheconsciousbarriersthatkepttheoldCharlieGor­donhiddendeepinmymind.AsIsuspectedallalong,hewasnotreallygone.Nothinginourmindsiseverreallygone.Theoperationhadcoveredhimoverwithaveneerofeducationandculture,butemotionallyhewasthere—watchingandwaiting.

           "Whatwashewaitingfor?

           "Youokaynow?"

           ItoldherIwasfine.

           ShegrabbedtheblanketIwaswrappedin,andpulledmebackintobed.BeforeIcouldstophersheslippedherarmsaroundmeandkissedme."Iwasscaredlastnight,Charlie.Ithoughtyouflipped.I’veheardaboutguyswhoareimpotent,howitsuddenlygetsthemandtheybecomemaniacs."

           "Howcomeyoustayed?"

           Sheshrugged."Well,youwerelikeascaredlittlekid.Iwassureyouwouldn’thurtme,butIthoughtyoumighthurtyourself.SoIfiguredI’dhangaround.Ifeltsosorry.