Сумерки

           Mybloodwaselectricinmyveins.

           CharliewasfinishingbreakfastwhenIcamedownstairs,andhepickeduponmymoodimmediately.

           "Nicedayout,"hecommented.

           "Yes,"Iagreedwithagrin.

           Hesmiledback,hisbrowneyescrinklingaroundtheedges.WhenCharliesmiled,itwaseasiertoseewhyheandmymotherhadjumpedtooquicklyintoanearlymarriage.Mostoftheyoungromantiche’dbeeninthosedayshadfadedbeforeI’dknownhim,asthecurlybrownhair-thesamecolor,ifnotthesametexture,asmine-haddwindled,slowlyrevealingmoreandmoreoftheshinyskinofhisforehead.ButwhenhesmiledIcouldseealittleofthemanwhohadrunawaywithRen¨¦ewhenshewasjusttwoyearsolderthanIwasnow.

           Iatebreakfastcheerily,watchingthedustmoatsstirringinthesunlightthatstreamedinthebackwindow.Charliecalledoutagoodbye,andIheardthecruiserpullawayfromthehouse.Ihesitatedonmywayoutthedoor,handonmyrainjacket.Itwouldbetemptingfatetoleaveithome.Withasigh,IfoldeditovermyarmandsteppedoutintothebrightestlightI’dseeninmonths.

           Bydintofmuchelbowgrease,Iwasabletogetbothwindowsinthetruckalmostcompletelyrolleddown.Iwasoneofthefirstonestoschool;Ihadn’tevencheckedtheclockinmyhurrytogetoutside.Iparkedandheadedtowardtheseldom-usedpicnicbenchesonthesouthsideofthecafeteria.Thebencheswerestillalittledamp,soIsatonmyjacket,gladtohaveauseforit.