Человек в высоком замке

           "Keeriiist!"hesaid,thenslappedFrinkontheback,grinned,openedthetruckdoor,pickedupthewickerhamperandsteppedfromthetruck."I’llletyouputthedimeinthemeter,"hesaid,startingoffdownthesidewalk.

           Inaninstanthehaddisappearedamongtheotherpedestrians.

           Juliana,Frinkthought.AreyouasaloneasIam?Hegotoutofthetruckandputadimeintheparkingmeter.

           Fear,hethought.Thiswholejewelryventure.Whatifitshouldfail?Whatifitshouldfail?Thatwashowtheoracleputit.Wailing,tears,beatingthepot.

           Manfacesthedarkeningshadowsofhislife.Hispassagetothegrave.Ifshewerehereitwouldnotbesobad.Notbadatall.

           I’mscared,herealized.SupposeEddoesn’tsellathing.Supposetheylaughatus.

           Whatthen?

           Onasheetonthefloorofthefrontroomofherapartment,JulianalayholdingJoeCinnadellaagainsther.Theroomwaswarmandstuffywithmidafternoonsunlight.Herbodyandthebodyofthemaninherarmsweredampwithperspiration.Adrop,rollingdownJoe’sforehead,clungamomenttohischeekbone,thenfelltoherthroat.

           "You’restilldripping,"shemurmured.

           Hesaidnothing.Hisbreathing,long,slow,regular…liketheocean,shethought.We’renothingbutwaterinside.

           "Howwasit?"sheasked.

           Hemumbledthatithadbeenokay.

           Ithoughtso,Julianathought.Icantell.Nowwebothhavetogetup,pullourselvestogether.Oristhatbad?Signofsubconsciousdisapproval?

           Hestirred.

           "Areyougettingup?"Shegrippedhimtightwithbothherarms."Don’t.