Цветы для Элджернона

           Wewereintheprincipal’sofficeandtherewerealotofpeoplelookingembarrassed,buttheassistantprincipalwassmilingandturninghisheadsonoonewouldseeit.

           Theprincipalinmydreamhadalongbeard,andwasfloatingaroundtheroomandpointingatme."He’llhavetogotoaspecialschool.PuthimintotheWarrenStateHomeandTrainingSchool.Wecan’thavehimhere."

           DadwaspullingMomoutoftheprincipal’soffice,andshewasshoutingandcryingtoo.Ididn’tseeherface,butherbigredteardropskeptsplashingdownonme..Ђў.

           ThismorningIcouldrecallthedream,butnowthere’smorethanthat—Icanrememberthroughtheblur,backtowhenIwassixyearsoldanditallhappened.JustbeforeNormawasborn.IseeMom,athin,dark-hairedwomanwhotalkstoofastandusesherhandstoomuch.Asalwaysherfaceisblurred.Herhairisupinabun,andherhandgoestotouchit,patitsmooth,asifshehastomakesureit’sstillthere.Irememberthatshewasalwaysflutter­inglikeabig,whitebird—aroundmyfather,andhetooheavyandtiredtoescapeherpecking.

           IseeCharlie,standinginthecenterofthekitchen,playingwithhisspinner,brightcoloredbeadsandringsthreadedonastring.Heholdsthestringupinonehandturnstheringssotheywindandunwindinbrightspin­ningflashes.Hespendslonghourswatchinghisspinner.