Сумерки

           "Soyounevermetanyoneyouwanted?"heaskedinaserioustonethatmademewonderwhathewasthinkingabout.

           Iwasgrudginglyhonest."NotinPhoenix."

           Hislipspressedtogetherintoahardline.

           Wewereinthecafeteriaatthispoint.Thedayhadspedbyintheblurthatwasrapidlybecomingroutine.Itookadvantageofhisbriefpausetotakeabiteofmybagel.

           "Ishouldhaveletyoudriveyourselftoday,"heannounced,aproposofnothing,whileIchewed.

           "Why?"Idemanded.

           "I’mleavingwithAliceafterlunch."

           "Oh."Iblinked,bewilderedanddisappointed."That’sokay,it’snotthatfarofawalk."

           Hefrownedatmeimpatiently."I’mnotgoingtomakeyouwalkhome.We’llgogetyourtruckandleaveithereforyou."

           "Idon’thavemykeywithme,"Isighed."Ireallydon’tmindwalking."WhatImindedwaslosingmytimewithhim.

           Heshookhishead."Yourtruckwillbehere,andthekeywillbeintheignition-unlessyou’reafraidsomeonemightstealit."Helaughedatthethought.

           "Allright,"Iagreed,pursingmylips.IwasprettysuremykeywasinthepocketofapairofjeansIworeWednesday,underapileofclothesinthelaundryroom.Evenifhebrokeintomyhouse,orwhateverhewasplanning,he’dneverfindit.Heseemedtofeelthechallengeinmyconsent.Hesmirked,overconfident.

           "Sowhereareyougoing?"IaskedascasuallyasIcouldmanage.

           "Hunting,"heansweredgrimly."IfI’mgoingtobealonewithyoutomorrow,I’mgoingtotakewhateverprecautionsIcan."Hisfacegrewmorose...andpleading.