Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "Peoplearewiththeirkids.Whatsgoingon?"

           "Justafamilyquarrel,"Jimsaid."Itsover.Wedidn’tknowweweresoloud."

           Theofficermadeanotationinhismemobook."Well,coolit,folks.Justkeepitdown."

           Aftertheyweregone,Jimgothiscoat."Allrightthen,Billy.IguessI’llhavetosaygood-by.I’monlyinLancasterforanothercoupleofdays,thenI’vegottogobacktothebase."AsJimandKathyleft,theirbrotherwasstillcrying.

           ThedoorslammedshutandTommylookedaround,startled.Hishandwasbleeding.Hepickedthepiecesofglassoutofhispalmandwashedthecuts,wonderingwhereKathyandJimhadgoneandwhytheplacewassuchamess.HehadworkedsohardonthatChristmastree,andlookatitnow.Allthepresentsheandtheothershadmadewiththeirownhands—notasingleonebought.HehadapaintingupstairsforJim—aseascapeheknewJimwouldlove—andhe’dwantedtogiveittohim.

           Hepickedupthefallentreeandtriedtomadeitlookdecentagain,butmostoftheornamentswerebusted.IthadbeensuchabeautifulChristmastree.HejusthadtimetoarrangeMarlene’spresentbeforeshearrived.HehadtakenitonhisowntocallhertocomeoverforChristmasEve.

           Marlenewasshockedatthemessintheapartment."Whathappened?"

           "Idon’treallyknow,"Tommysaid,"andtotellyouthetruthsIdon’tgiveadamn.IjustknowIloveyou.