Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Heclimbeduptotheroof,cutaholeintheskylight,reachedinandunlockeditand,usingthenylonropefastenedtoabracket,sliddownthelineintothebuilding.Itremindedhimofthetimeshe’dgonemountainclimbingwithJimyearsago.

           WiththemodelnumbersArthurhadsupplied,Ragensearchedthewarehousefornearlyanhourbeforehefoundwhathewanted—apairoflegbracesforafour-year-oldchild,andasmallcollapsiblewheelchair.Heunlockedawindow,loweredthebracesandwheelchairtotheground,andclimbedout.ThenheputeverythingintothecaranddrovebacktoColumbus.

           ItwasmorningwhenhepulleduptoNancy’shouseandknockedonthedoor."IhavesomethingforlittleNancy,"hesaidtotheoldlady,whopeeredathimthroughthewindow.Hebroughtthewheelchairupfromthecar,openeditandshowedthemhowitworked.ThenheshowedNancyhowtoputonthelegbraces.

           "Itvilltakelongtimetolearnusethem,"hesaid,"butitisimportanttovalk.".

           Theoldladybegantocry."Iwon’tnevergetthemoneytopayyouforthemthings."

           "Isnotnecessarytopay.Iscontributionfromrichmedical-supplycompanytoneedychild."

           "CanImakeyousomebreakfast?"

           "Vouldlikecoffee."

           "What’syourname?"Nancyaskedashergrandmotherleftforthekitchen.

           "CallmeUncleRagen,"hesaid.

           Shehuggedhim.