Сумерки

           "HehunguphisgunbeltandsteppedoutofhisbootsasIbustledaboutthekitchen.AsfarasIwasaware,he’dnevershotthegunonthejob.Buthekeptitready.WhenIcamehereasachild,hewouldalwaysremovethebulletsassoonashewalkedinthedoor.Iguessheconsideredmeoldenoughnownottoshootmyselfbyaccident,andnotdepressedenoughtoshootmyselfonpurpose.

           "What’sfordinner?"heaskedwarily.Mymotherwasanimaginativecook,andherexperimentsweren’talwaysedible.Iwassurprised,andsad,thatheseemedtorememberthatfarback.

           "Steakandpotatoes,"Ianswered,andhelookedrelieved.

           Heseemedtofeelawkwardstandinginthekitchendoingnothing;helumberedintothelivingroomtowatchTVwhileIworked.Wewerebothmorecomfortablethatway.Imadeasaladwhilethesteakscooked,andsetthetable.

           Icalledhiminwhendinnerwasready,andhesniffedappreciativelyashewalkedintotheroom.

           "Smellsgood,Bell."

           "Thanks."

           Weateinsilenceforafewminutes.Itwasn’tuncomfortable.Neitherofuswasbotheredbythequiet.Insomeways,wewerewellsuitedforlivingtogether.

           "So,howdidyoulikeschool?Haveyoumadeanyfriends?"heaskedashewastakingseconds.

           "Well,IhaveafewclasseswithagirlnamedJessica.Isitwithherfriendsatlunch.Andthere’sthisboy,Mike,who’sveryfriendly.Everybodyseemsprettynice."Withoneoutstandingexception.

           "ThatmustbeMikeNewton.Nicekid-nicefamily.Hisdadownsthesportinggoodsstorejustoutsideoftown.