Цветы для Элджернона

           Idiscov­eredthatmyspeechwasbecomingslurred,andtherewasalightnessinmyhead."Thatcan’tberight,canit?"Iin­sisted."Imean,whatdoyouthink?Doyouthinkthat’s...that’sright?"

           Strausscameoverandtookmyarm.

           "Charlie,maybeyou’dbetterliedownawhile.You’vehadtoomuchtodrink."

           "Whyy’alllookingatmelikethat?WhatdidIsaywrong?DidIsaysomethingwrong?Idin’tmeantosayanythingthatwasn’tright."

           Iheardthewordsthickinmymouth,asifmyfacehadbeenshotfullofnovocaine.Iwasdrunk—completelyoutofcontrol.Atthatmoment,almostwiththeflickofaswitch,Iwaswatchingthescenefromthediningroomdoorway,andIcouldseemyselfastheotherCharlie—therenearthesideboard,drinkinhand,eyeswideandfrightened.

           "Ialwaystrytodotherightthings.Mymotheralwaystaughtmetobenicetopeoplebecauseshesaidthatwayyouwon’tgetintotroubleandyou’llalwayshavelotsoffriends."

           Icouldseebythewayhewastwitchingandwrithingthathehadtogettothebathroom.Oh,myGod,notthereinfrontofthem."Excuseme,please,"hesaid,"Igottogo..."Somehow,inthatdrunkenstupor,Imanagedtoturnhimawayfromthemandheadhimtowardthebathroom.

           Hemadeitintime,andafterafewsecondsIwasagainincontrol.Irestedmycheekagainstthewall,andthenwashedmyfacewithcoolwater.Stillgroggy,butIknewIwasgoingtobeallright.

           That’swhenIsawCharliewatchingmefromthemirrorbehindthewashbasin.