Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Shawnlookedaroundandsawtheladywiththeblackdressandthestarchedwhitebibcomingtowardhimwiththeruler.Heknewhewasheretobepunishedforsomething.Butwhat?Shemovedhermouth,buthecouldn’thearwhatshewassaying.Hejustcringedandstaredatherred,angryface.Shegrabbedhislefthand,liftedherrulerandbroughtitdownonhispalmsilentlyoverandoveragain.

           Tearsrolleddownhischeeks,andagainhewonderedwhyhewasheretobepunishedforsomethinghehadn’tdone.Itwasn’tfair.

           WhenShawnleft,BillyopenedhiseyesandsawSisterStephenswalkingaway.Helookedathislefthandandsawtheredwelts,felttheburning.Hefeltsomethingonhisface,too,andtouchedhischeekwithhisrighthand.Tears?Jimboneverforgotthatalthoughhewasayearandfourmonthsolderthanhisbrother,itwasBillywho,attheageofseven,instigatedrunningawayfromhomethatsummer.Theywouldpacksomefood,Billytoldhim,andtakeaknifeandsomeclothes,andtheywouldgooffandhaveadventures.Theywouldcomebackrichandfamous.Impressedwithhisyoungerbrothersplanninganddetermination,Jimboagreedtogoalong.

           TheyslippedoutofthehousewiththeirpacksandhikedfromCirclevillethroughtheoutskirtsoftown,pastthebuilt-uparea,tothebigfieldovergrownwithclover.Billypointedtoastandoffiveorsixappletreesinthecenterofthefieldandsaidthatwaswherethey’dstopforalunchbreak.Jimbofollowed.