Сумерки

           "No!"Iscreamed,wrenchinguprightoutofmybed.

           MysuddenmovementcausedtheheadphonestopulltheCDplayeroffthebedsidetable,anditclatteredtothewoodenfloor.

           Mylightwasstillon,andIwassittingfullydressedonthebed,withmyshoeson.Iglanced,disoriented,attheclockonmydresser.Itwasfive-thirtyinthemorning.

           Igroaned,fellback,androlledoverontomyface,kickingoffmyboots.Iwastoouncomfortabletogetanywherenearsleep,though.Irolledbackoverandunbuttonedmyjeans,yankingthemoffawkwardlyasItriedtostayhorizontal.Icouldfeelthebraidinmyhair,anuncomfortableridgealongthebackofmyskull.Iturnedontomysideandrippedtherubberbandout,quicklycombingthroughtheplaitswithmyfingers.Ipulledthepillowbackovermyeyes.

           Itwasallnouse,ofcourse.MysubconscioushaddredgedupexactlytheimagesI’dbeentryingsodesperatelytoavoid.Iwasgoingtohavetofacethemnow.

           Isatup,andmyheadspunforaminuteasthebloodfloweddownward.Firstthingsfirst,Ithoughttomyself,happytoputitoffaslongaspossible.Igrabbedmybathroombag.

           Theshowerdidn’tlastnearlyaslongasIhopeditwould,though.Eventakingthetimetoblow-drymyhair,Iwassoonoutofthingstodointhebathroom.Wrappedinatowel,Icrossedbacktomyroom.Icouldn’ttellifCharliewasstillasleep,orifhehadalreadyleft.Iwenttolookoutmywindow,andthecruiserwasgone.Fishingagain.

           Idressedslowlyinmymostcomfysweatsandthenmademybed-somethingIneverdid.