Сумерки

           Hewasnearlyasgracefulandjustasfast-yetEmmettcouldneverbecomparedtoagazelle.

           "Areyoureadyforsomeball?"Edwardasked,hiseyeseager,bright.

           Itriedtosoundappropriatelyenthusiastic."Goteam!"

           Hesnickeredand,aftermussingmyhair,boundedoffaftertheothertwo.Hisrunwasmoreaggressive,acheetahratherthanagazelle,andhequicklyovertookthem.Thegraceandpowertookmybreathaway.

           "Shallwegodown?"Esmeaskedinhersoft,melodicvoice,andIrealizedIwasstaringopenmouthedafterhim.Iquicklyreassembledmyexpressionandnodded.Esmekeptafewfeetbetweenus,andIwonderedifshewasstillbeingcarefulnottofrightenme.Shematchedherstridetominewithoutseemingimpatientatthepace.

           "Youdon’tplaywiththem?"Iaskedshyly.

           "No,Iprefertoreferee-Ilikekeepingthemhonest,"sheexplained.

           "Dotheyliketocheat,then?"

           "Ohyes-youshouldheartheargumentstheygetinto!Actually,Ihopeyoudon’t,youwouldthinktheywereraisedbyapackofwolves."

           "Yousoundlikemymom,"Ilaughed,surprised.

           Shelaughed,too."Well,Idothinkofthemasmychildreninmostways.Inevercouldgetovermymotheringinstincts-didEdwardtellyouIhadlostachild?"

           "No,"Imurmured,stunned,scramblingtounderstandwhatlifetimeshewasremembering.

           "Yes,myfirstandonlybaby.Hediedjustafewdaysafterhewasborn,thepoortinything,"shesighed."Itbrokemyheart-that’swhyIjumpedoffthecliff,youknow,"sheaddedmatter-of-factly.

           "Edwardjustsaidyouf-fell,"Istammered.