Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Billylookedatherruefullyandsaid,"You’rekindofyoungtobereadingthenewspapers,aren’tyou?".

           Wandalookedatthelandscapehewasworkingon."That’sreallygood*Billy,"shesaid."Youknow,I’dliketoownoneofyourpaintings.Idon’thavemuchmoney,butifyou’dpaintmeadeer,justasmallpicture,I’dbegladtopayforit."

           "I’llworkonsomething,"hesaid."ButfirstI’dliketodoaportraitofMisty.".

           HebeganpaintingMisty,pleasedthatWandalikedhiswork.Shewasdown-to-earth,easiertotalktothanmostoftheDthers.Heknewshewasdivorced,hadnochildren,jindthatshelivedinatrailernearherfamilyinthesmallAppalachiantownwhereshe’dbeenborn.Shewasrugged,atoughyoungwomanwithadimpledsmileandprobingeyes.

           Hewasthinkingaboutheroneafternoonwhilehejoggedaroundthebuildingwhenshepulledupinherpickuptruck,asharpnewfour-wheeldrive.

           "You’vegottoletmedrivethatsomeday,"hesaid,jogginginplaceasshegotoutofthetruck.

           "Noway,Billy."

           HesawtheCBantennaandthecallnumberonthebackwindow."Ididn’tknowyouwereaCBer."

           "Yep,"shesaid,lockingupandturningtowalkintothehospital.

           "What’syourhandle?"heasked,followingherinside.

           "Deerslayer."

           "That’sastrangehandleforawoman.