Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "I’mtheoldest.I’llgofirst.Then,ifit’ssafe,youcanswingacrossafterme."

           Jimbopulledtherope,backeduptogetarunningstartandswungout.Threequartersofthewayacross,hefellanddroppedintomud,whichstartedsuckinghimdown.

           "Quicksand!"Jimboshouted.

           Billymovedfast.Hefoundalargestickandthrewitacrosstohim.Shimmyingupthetree,Billyclimbedoutonabranch,downtherope,andpulledhisbrothertosafety.Whentheywereonthebank,Jimbolaybackandlookedathim.

           Billysaidnothing,butJimboputhisarmaroundhiskidbrother’sshoulder."Yousavedmylife,Bill.Ioweyou."UnlikeBillyandJimbo,KathylovedCatholicshoolandadmiredthesisters.Shewas,shedecided,definitelygoingtobeanunwhenshegrewup.SheadoredthememoryofherfatherandtriedtofindoutallshecouldaboutJohnnyMorrison.Hermotherhadtoldthechildrenthattheirfatherhadbeenill,wastakentothehospital,andhaddied.Nowthatshewasfiveandinschool,whatevershedid,Kathyaskedherselffirst,"IsthatwhatDaddyJohnnywouldwantmetodo?"Itwassomethingshewouldcontinueintoadulthood.DorothysavedsomemoneyfromhersingingengagementsandboughtpartinterestintheTopHatBar.Shemetahandsome,fast-talkingyoungmanwhohadawonderfulideaaboutthetwoofthemopeningasupperclubinFlorida.Theyhadtomovefast,heexplained.SheshouldtakethechildrentoFloridatolookoveracoupleofplaces.