Цветы для Элджернона

           LikethismorningjustafterIwokeup,Iwaslayinginbedwithmyeyesopen.ItwaslikeabigholeopenedupinthewallsofmymindandIcanjustwalkthrough.Ithinkitsfarback...alongtimeagowhenIfirststartedworkingatDonner’sBakery.Iseethestreetwherethebakeryis.Fuzzyatfirstandthenitgetspatchywithsomethingssorealtheyarerightherenowinfrontofme,andotherthingsstayblurred,andI’mnotsure....

           Alittleoldmanwithababycarriagemadeintoapushcartwithacharcoalburner,andthesmellofroast­ingchestnuts,andsnowontheground.Ayoungfellow,skinnywithwideeyesandascaredlookonhisfacelook­ingupatthestoresign.Whatdoesitsay?Blurredlettersinawaythatdon’tmakesense.Iknownowthatthesignsaysdonner’sbakery,butlookingbackinmymemoryatthesignIcan’treadthewordsthroughhiseyes.Noneofthesignsmakesense.Ithinkthatfellowwiththescaredlookonhisfaceisme.

           Brightneonlights.Christmastreesandsidewalkpeddlers.Peoplebundledincoatswithcollarsupandscarvesaroundtheirnecks.Buthehasnogloves.Hishandsarecoldandheputsdownaheavybundleofbrownpaperbags.He’sstoppingtowatchthelittlemechanicaltoysthatthepeddlerwindsup—thetumblingbear,thedogjump­ing,thesealspinningaballonitsnose.Tumbling,jump­ing,spinning.Ifhehadallthosetoysforhimselfhewouldbethehappiestpersonintheworld.