Цветы для Элджернона

           Ibrokethebackofit,rippedoutahandfulofpages,andflungthemandthebookacrosstheroomtothecornerwherethebrokenrecordswere.IletitlaythereanditstornwhitetongueswerelaughingbecauseIcouldn’tunderstandwhattheyweresaying.

           I’vegottotrytoholdontosomeofthethingsI’velearned.Please,God,don’ttakeitallaway.

           October10

           UsuallyatnightIgooutforwalks,wanderaroundthecity.Idon’tknowwhy.Toseefaces,Iguess.LastnightIcouldn’trememberwhereIlived.Apolicemantookmehome.Ihavethestrangefeelingthatthishasallhappenedtomebefore—alongtimeago.Idon’twanttowriteitdown,butIkeepremindingmyselfthatI’mtheonlyoneintheworldwhocandescribewhathappenswhenitgoesthisway.

           InsteadofwalkingIwasfloatingthroughspace,notclearandsharp,butwithagrayfilmovereverything.Iknowwhat’shappeningtome,butthereisnothingIcandoaboutit.Iwalk,orjuststandonthesidewalkandwatchpeoplegoby.Someofthemlookatme,andsomeofthemdon’tbutnobodysaysanythingtome—exceptonenightamancameupandaskedifIwantedagirl.Hetookmetoaplace.HewantedtendollarsfirstandIgaveittohim,buthenevercameback

           AndthenIrememberedwhatafoolIwas.

           October11

           WhenIcameintomyapartmentthismorn­ing,IfoundAlicethere,asleeponthecouch.