Сумерки

           GympassedquicklyasIwatchedMike’sone-manbadmintonshow.Hedidn’tspeaktometoday,eitherinresponsetomyvacantexpressionorbecausehewasstillangryaboutoursquabbleyesterday.Somewhere,inacornerofmymind,Ifeltbadaboutthat.ButIcouldn’tconcentrateonhim.

           Ihurriedtochangeafterward,illatease,knowingthefasterImoved,thesoonerIwouldbewithEdward.Thepressuremadememoreclumsythanusual,buteventuallyImadeitoutthedoor,feelingthesamereleasewhenIsawhimstandingthere,awidesmileautomaticallyspreadingacrossmyface.Hesmiledinreactionbeforelaunchingintomorecross-examination.

           Hisquestionsweredifferentnow,though,notaseasilyanswered.HewantedtoknowwhatImissedabouthome,insistingondescriptionsofanythinghewasn’tfamiliarwith.WesatinfrontofCharlie’shouseforhours,astheskydarkenedandrainplummetedaroundusinasuddendeluge.

           Itriedtodescribeimpossiblethingslikethescentofcreosote-bitter,slightlyresinous,butstillpleasant-thehigh,keeningsoundofthecicadasinJuly,thefeatherybarrennessofthetrees,theverysizeofthesky,extendingwhite-bluefromhorizontohorizon,barelyinterruptedbythelowmountainscoveredwithpurplevolcanicrock.