Цветы для Элджернона

           Ithoughtitwouldmakepeoplelikeme.IthoughtIwouldhavefriends.That’ssomethingtolaughat,isn’tit?"

           "There’smoretoitthanjusthavingahighI.Q."

           Thatmademeangry.ProbablybecauseIdidn’treallyunderstandwhatshewasdrivingat.Moreandmorethesedaysshedidn’tcomerightoutandsaywhatshemeant.Shehintedatthings.Shetalkedaroundthemandexpectedmetoknowwhatshewasthinking.AndIlistened,pre­tendingIunderstoodbutinsideIwasafraidshewouldseethatImissedthepointcompletely.

           "Ithinkit’stimeforyoutoleave."

           Herfaceturnedred."Notyet,Charlie.It’snottimeyet.Don’tsendmeaway."

           "You’remakingitharderforme.YoukeeppretendingIcandothingsandunderstandthingsthatarefarbeyondmenow.You’repushingme.Justlikemymother..."

           "That’snottrue!"

           "Everythingyoudosaysit.Thewayyoupickupandcleanupafterme,thewayyouleavebooksaroundthatyouthinkwillgetmeinterestedinreadingagain,thewayyoutalktomeaboutthenewstogetmethinking.Yousayitdoesn’tmatter,buteverythingyoudoshowshowmuchitmatters.Alwaystheschoolteacher.Idon’twanttogotoconcertsormuseumsorforeignfilmsordoanythingthat’sgoingtomakemestruggletothinkaboutlifeoraboutmyself."

           "Charlie—"

           "Justleavemealone.I’mnotmyself.I’mfallingapart,andIdon’twantyouhere."

           Thatmadehercry.Thisafternoonshepackedherbagsandleft.Theapartmentfeelsquietandemptynow.

           October25

           Deteriorationprogressing.