Цветы для Элджернона
PROGRESS REPORT 10
Donnerwantsyou."
Charliesmilesathimandgoesbacktothefloursacksinthecornernearthemixingmachines.Helikestoleanbackagainstthemwhilehesitsonthefloorcross-leggedandlooksatthepicturesinhiscomicbook.Ashestartstoturnthepages,hefeelslikecrying,buthedoesn’tknowwhy.Whatistheretofeelsadabout?Thefuzzycloudcomesandgoes,andnowhelooksforwardtothepleasureofthebrightlycoloredpicturesinthecomicbookthathehasgonethroughthirty,fortytimes.Heknowsallofthefiguresinthecomic—hehasaskedtheirnamesoverandoveragain(ofalmosteveryonehemeets)—andheunderstandsthatthestrangeformsoflettersandwordsinthewhiteballoonsabovethefiguresmeansthattheyaresayingsomething.Wouldheeverlearntoreadwhatwasintheballoons?Iftheygavehimenoughtime—iftheydidn’trushhimorpushhimtoofast—hewouldgetit.Butnobodyhastime.
CharliepullshislegsupandopensthecomicbooktothefirstpagewheretheBatmanandRobinareswingingupalongropetothesideofabuilding.Someday,hedecides,heisgoingtoread.Andthenhewillbeabletoreadthestory.Hefeelsahandonhisshoulderandhelooksup.ItisGimpyholdingoutthebrassdiscandchain,lettingitswingandtwirlaroundsothatitcatchesthelight.
"Here,"hesaysgruffly,tossingitintoCharlie’slap,andthenhelimpsaway....
Ineverthoughtaboutitbefore,butthatwasanicethingforhimtodo.
