Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "NotthesameJohnnyMorrisonshefeltsosecureaboutthatshe’dwarnwould-bemashers,"Hey,lookout,I’mJohnnyMorrison’sgirl."

           Atthirty-six,blindinhislefteye,stockyandbuiltlikeafighter,Johnnywasmorelikeafathertoher,shethought.

           "Youshouldn’tsmokesomuch,"shesaid.

           Hesfubbedacigaretteoutintheashtrayandjammedhishandsintohispockets."Idon’tfeellikedoingtheshowtonight."

           "You’vemissedtoomanythismonth,Johnny."

           Hissharpglancecutherwords.Heopenedhismouthtosaysomething,andshebracedherselfforawisecrackjustasthedoctorcameintothereceptionroom."Mr.andMrs.Morrison,Ithinkyourbaby’sgoingtobeallright.Hehasagrowthblockinghisesophagus.Wecangetitundercontrol.Hisconditionisstable.Youtwocangohomenow,andwe’llcallyouifthere’sanychange."

           ***

           Billysurvived.Forthefirstyear,hewasinandoutofhospitalsinMiami.WhenDorothyandJohnnyhadout-of-townbookingstogether,BillyandJimbowereleftwithMimiorinachildrenscarecenter.

           Dorothybecamepregnant,forthethirdtime,ayearafterBillywasbom.JohnnysuggestedanabortioninCuba.Sherefused,shetoldherchildrenyearslater,becauseitwasamortalsin.KathyJowasbomonNewYearsEve,December31,1956.MeetingthemedicalexpensesoverwhelmedJohnny.