Цветы для Элджернона

           Adreamlastnighttriggeredoffase­quenceofmemories,litupawholesliceofthepastandtheimportantthingistogetitdownonpaperquicklybeforeIforgetitbecauseIseemtoforgetthingssoonernow.Ithastodowithmymother,andnow—morethanever—Iwanttounderstandher,toknowwhatshewaslikeandwhysheactedthewayshedid.Imustn’thateher.

           I’vegottocometotermswithherbeforeIseehersothatIwon’tactharshlyorfoolishly.

           September27

           Ishouldhavewrittenthisdownrightaway,becauseit’simportanttomakethisrecordcomplete.

           IwenttoseeRosethreedaysago.Finally,Iforcedmy­selftoborrowBurt’scaragain.Iwasafraid,andyetIknewIhadtogo.

           AtfirstwhenIgottoMarksStreetIthoughtIhadmadeamistake.Itwasn’tthewayIremembereditatall.Itwasafilthystreet.Vacantlotswheremanyofthehouseshadbeentorndown.Onthesidewalk,adiscardedrefrig­eratorwithitsfacerippedoff,andonthecurbanoldmat­tresswithwireintestineshangingoutofitsbelly.Somehouseshadboardedupwindows,andotherslookedmorelikepatched-upshantiesthanhomes.Iparkedthecarablockawayfromthehouseandwalked.

           TherewerenochildrenplayingonMarksStreet—notatalllikethementalpictureIhadbroughtwithmeofchil­dreneverywhere,andCharliewatchingthemthroughthefrontwindow(strangethatmostofmymemoriesofthestreetareframedbythewindow,withmealwaysinsidewatchingthechildrenplay).