Сумерки

           FirstaweddingpictureofCharlieandmymominLasVegas,thenoneofthethreeofusinthehospitalafterIwasborn,takenbyahelpfulnurse,followedbytheprocessionofmyschoolpicturesuptolastyear’s.Thosewereembarrassingtolookat-IwouldhavetoseewhatIcoulddotogetCharlietoputthemsomewhereelse,atleastwhileIwaslivinghere.

           Itwasimpossible,beinginthishouse,nottorealizethatCharliehadnevergottenovermymom.Itmademeuncomfortable.

           Ididn’twanttobetooearlytoschool,butIcouldn’tstayinthehouseanymore.Idonnedmyjacket-whichhadthefeelofabiohazardsuit-andheadedoutintotherain.

           Itwasjustdrizzlingstill,notenoughtosoakmethroughimmediatelyasIreachedforthehousekeythatwasalwayshiddenundertheeavesbythedoor,andlockedup.Thesloshingofmynewwaterproofbootswasunnerving.ImissedthenormalcrunchofgravelasIwalked.Icouldn’tpauseandadmiremytruckagainasIwanted;Iwasinahurrytogetoutofthemistywetthatswirledaroundmyheadandclungtomyhairundermyhood.

           Insidethetruck,itwasniceanddry.EitherBillyorCharliehadobviouslycleaneditup,butthetanupholsteredseatsstillsmelledfaintlyoftobacco,gasoline,andpeppermint.Theenginestartedquickly,tomyrelief,butloudly,roaringtolifeandthenidlingattopvolume.Well,atruckthisoldwasboundtohaveaflaw.Theantiqueradioworked,aplusthatIhadn’texpected.

           Findingtheschoolwasn’tdifficult,thoughI’dneverbeentherebefore.