Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

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           "Doyouknowwhenyourpeoplefirstcameintoexistence?"Henoddedandleanedbacktothink."ChristenecamewhenIwasverylittle.Idon’trememberwhen.MostoftheotherscamewhenIwasabouteight,goingonnine.WhenChalmer...whenDaddyChal…"

           Hisspeechgrewhalting.

           "Ifitbothersyoutotalkaboutit,don’t."

           "That’sallright,"hesaid."Thedoctorssayitsimportantformetogetitoutofmysystem."

           Heclosedhiseyes."IrememberitwastheweekafterAprilFool’sDay.Iwasinfourthgrade.Hetookmedowntothefarmtohelphimgetthegardenreadyforplanting.HetookmeintothebamandtiedmetotheRototiller.Then...then..Tearscameintohiseyes,hisvoicethickened,becamehesitant,boyish.

           "Maybeyoushouldn’t—"

           "Hebeatme,"hesaid,rubbinghiswrists."Hestartedthemotor,andIthoughtitwasgoingtopullmeinandripmeapartwiththeblades.HesaidifItoldmymother,he’dburymeinthebam,andthenhe’dtellmymotherIranawaybecauseIhatedher."

           TearsrandownBilly’scheeksashespoke."Thenexttimeithappened,Ijustclosedmyeyesandwentaway.Iknownow,fromthethingsDrGeorgehelpedmerememberatHardingHospital,thatitwasDannywhowastiedtothemotor,anathenDavidcameatthattimetoacceptthepain."

           Thewriterfoundhimselftremblingwithanger