Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           OnJanuary18,Dorothywasawakenedbyacallfromthepolicedepartment.Johnny’sbodyhadbeenfoundinhisstationwagon,parkedoutsidethemotel,withahoseleadingfromthetailpipeintothebackwindow.He’dleftaneight-pagesuicidenoteattackingDorothyandgivinginstructionstopayafewpersonaldebtsfromtheinsurancemoney.

           WhenDorothytoldthechildrenthatJohnnyhadgonetoheaven,JimboandBillywenttothewindowandlookedupatthesky.

           Thefollowingweektheloansharkssaidshe’dbetterpayupJohnny’ssix-thousand-dollardebtorsomethingwouldhappentoherandthekids.Shefledwiththechildren,firsttothehomeofhersisterJoAnnBussyinKeyLargoandthenbacktoCircleville,Ohio.Thereshemetherex-husband,DickJonas,again.Afterafewdatesandpromisesthathewouldchange,sheremarriedhim.

           Billywasalmostfivewhenhewentintothekitchenonemorningandreachedontiptoetogetthedishtowelfromthecounter.Suddenlythecookiejarstandingonitcamecrashingtothefloor.Hetriedtoputthepiecestogether,buttheywouldn’tstick.Hearingsomeonecoming,hebegantrembling.Hedidn’twanttobepunished.Hedidn’twanttobehurt.

           Heknewhehaddonesomethingbad,buthedidn’twanttoknowwhatwasgoingtohappen,didn’twanttohearMommyscreamingathim.Heclosedhiseyesandwenttosleep...

           "Shawn"openedhiseyesandlookedaround.