Сумерки

           "Well,you’retoogoodforthemall,anyway.Waittillyougettocollegetostartlooking."Everyfather’sdream,thathisdaughterwillbeoutofthehousebeforethehormoneskickin.

           "Soundslikeagoodideatome,"IagreedasIheadedupthestairs.

           "’Night,honey,"hecalledafterme.Nodoubthewouldbelisteningcarefullyallevening,waitingformetotrytosneakout.

           "Seeyouinthemorning,Dad."Seeyoucreepingintomyroomtonightatmidnighttocheckonme.

           IworkedtomakemytreadsoundslowandtiredasIwalkedupthestairstomyroom.Ishutthedoorloudenoughforhimtohear,andthensprintedonmytiptoestothewindow.Ithrewitopenandleanedoutintothenight.Myeyesscannedthedarkness,theimpenetrableshadowsofthetrees.

           "Edward?"Iwhispered,feelingcompletelyidiotic.

           Thequiet,laughingresponsecamefrombehindme."Yes?"

           Iwhirled,onehandflyingtomythroatinsurprise.

           Helay,smilinghugely,acrossmybed,hishandsbehindhishead,hisfeetdanglingofftheend,thepictureofease.

           "Oh!"Ibreathed,sinkingunsteadilytothefloor.

           "I’msorry."Hepressedhislipstogether,tryingtohidehisamusement.

           "Justgivemeaminutetorestartmyheart."

           Hesatupslowly,soasnottostartlemeagain.Thenheleanedforwardandreachedoutwithhislongarmstopickmeup,grippingthetopsofmyarmslikeIwasatoddler.Hesatmeonthebedbesidehim.

           "Whydon’tyousitwithme,"hesuggested,puttingacoldhandonmine."How’stheheart?"

           "Youtellme-I’msureyouhearitbetterthanIdo."