Сумерки

           ItwasonlyintheearlyhoursofthemorningthatIfinallysankintoanexhausted,dreamlesssleep.

           WhenIwokeIwasstilltired,butedgyaswell.Ipulledonmybrownturtleneckandtheinescapablejeans,sighingasIdaydreamedofspaghettistrapsandshorts.Breakfastwastheusual,quieteventIexpected.Charliefriedeggsforhimself;Ihadmybowlofcereal.IwonderedifhehadforgottenaboutthisSaturday.Heansweredmyunspokenquestionashestooduptotakehisplatetothesink.

           "AboutthisSaturday..."hebegan,walkingacrossthekitchenandturningonthefaucet.

           Icringed."Yes,Dad?"

           "AreyoustillsetongoingtoSeattle?"heasked.

           "Thatwastheplan."Igrimaced,wishinghehadn’tbroughtitupsoIwouldn’thavetocomposecarefulhalf-truths.

           Hesqueezedsomedishsoapontohisplateandswirleditaroundwiththebrush."Andyou’resureyoucan’tmakeitbackintimeforthedance?"

           "I’mnotgoingtothedance,Dad."Iglared.

           "Didn’tanyoneaskyou?"heasked,tryingtohidehisconcernbyfocusingonrinsingtheplate.

           Isidesteppedtheminefield."It’sagirl’schoice."

           "Oh."Hefrownedashedriedhisplate.

           Isympathizedwithhim.Itmustbeahardthing,tobeafather;livinginfearthatyourdaughterwouldmeetaboysheliked,butalsohavingtoworryifshedidn’t.Howghastlyitwouldbe,Ithought,shuddering,ifCharliehadeventheslightestinklingofexactlywhatIdidlike.

           Charlieleftthen,withagoodbyewave,andIwentupstairstobrushmyteethandgathermybooks.