Сумерки

           But,tomygreatembarrassment,mystomachgrowled.I’dbeensointrigued,Ihadn’tevennoticedIwashungry.IrealizednowthatIwasravenous.

           "I’msorry,I’mkeepingyoufromdinner."

           "I’mfine,really."

           "I’veneverspentmuchtimearoundanyonewhoeatsfood.Iforget."

           "Iwanttostaywithyou."Itwaseasiertosayinthedarkness,knowingasIspokehowmyvoicewouldbetrayme,myhopelessaddictiontohim.

           "Can’tIcomein?"heasked.

           "Wouldyouliketo?"Icouldn’tpictureit,thisgodlikecreaturesittinginmyfather’sshabbykitchenchair.

           "Yes,ifit’sallright."Iheardthedoorclosequietly,andalmostsimultaneouslyhewasoutsidemydoor,openingitforme.

           "Veryhuman,"Icomplimentedhim.

           "It’sdefinitelyresurfacing."

           Hewalkedbesidemeinthenight,soquietlyIhadtopeekathimconstantlytobesurehewasstillthere.Inthedarknesshelookedmuchmorenormal.Stillpale,stilldreamlikeinhisbeauty,butnolongerthefantasticsparklingcreatureofoursunlitafternoon.

           Hereachedthedooraheadofmeandopeneditforme.Ipausedhalfwaythroughtheframe.

           "Thedoorwasunlocked?"

           "No,Iusedthekeyfromundertheeave."

           Isteppedinside,flickedontheporchlight,andturnedtolookathimwithmyeyebrowsraised.IwassureI’dneverusedthatkeyinfrontofhim.

           "Iwascuriousaboutyou."

           "Youspiedonme?"ButsomehowIcouldn’tinfusemyvoicewiththeproperoutrage.Iwasflattered.

           Hewasunrepentant.