Цветы для Элджернона

           Itwasn’tveryhard—justabump—butMomandDadcamerunningdownbecauseyouwerescreaming,andyousaidIwastryingtokillyou.

           "SheblamedMattfornotwatchingme,forleavingusalonetogether,andshebeatmewithastrapuntilIwasnearlyunconscious.Doyourememberit?Diditreallyhappenthatway?"

           Normawasfascinatedbymydescriptionofthemem­ory,asifitawakenedsleepingimages."It’sallsovague.Youknow,Ithoughtthatwasmydream.Irememberuswear­ingthelampshades,andjumpingupanddownonthemattresses."Shestaredoutofthewindow."Ihatedyoube­causetheyfussedoveryouallthetime.Theyneverspankedyoufornotdoingyourhomeworkright,orfornotbring­inghomethebestmarks.Youskippedclassesmostofthetimeandplayedgames,andIhadtogotothehardclassesinschool.Oh,howIhatedyou.Inschooltheotherchil­drenscribbledpicturesontheblackboard,aboywithaduncecaponhishead,andtheywroteNorma’sBrotherunderit.Andtheyscribbledthingsonthesidewalkintheschoolyard—Moron’sSisterandDummyGordonFamily.

           AndthenonedaywhenIwasn’tinvitedtoEmilyRaskin’sbirthdayparty,Iknewitwasbecauseofyou.Andwhenwewereplayingthereinthebasementwiththoselampshadesonourheads,Ihadtogeteven."Shestartedtocry."SoIliedandsaidyouhurtme.Oh,Charlie,whatafoolIwas—whataspoiledbrat.I’msoashamed—"

           "Don’tblameyourself.Itmusthavebeenhardtofacetheotherkids.Forme,thiskitchenwasmyworld—andthatroomthere.