Мгла
Further Discussion. Mrs. Carmody. Fortifications. What Happened to the Flat- Earth Society.
Whenfour-thirtycamearound,Iwassittingonapileofbagsatoneoftheloopholes,Billyatmyside.Wewerelookingoutintothemist.
Justbeyondthewindowwasaredbenchwherepeoplesometimeswaitedfortheirrideswiththeirgroceriesbesidethem.Beyondthatwastheparkinglot.Themistswirledslowly,thickandheavy.Therewasmoistureinit,buthowdullitseemed,andgloomyjustlookingatitmademefeelgutlessandlost.
"Daddy,doyouknowwhat’shappening?"Billyasked.
"No,hon,"Isaid.
Hefellsilentforabit,lookingathishands,whichlaylimplyinthelapofhisTuffskinjeans."Whydoesn’tsomebodycomeandrescueus?"heaskedfinally."TheStatePoliceortheFBIorsomeone?"
"Idon’tknow."
"DoyouthinkMom’sokay?"
"Billy,Ijustdon’tknow,"Isaid,andputanarmaroundhim.
"Iwantherawfulbad,"Billysaid,strugglingwithtears."I’msorryaboutthetimesIwasbadtoher."
"Billy,"Isaid,andhadtostop.Icouldtastesaltinmythroat,andmyvoicewantedtotremble.
"Willitbeover?"Billyasked."Daddy?Willit?"
"Idon’tknow,"Isaid,andheputhisfaceinthehollowofmyshoulderandIheldthebackofhishead,feltthedelicatecurveofhisskulljustunderthethickgrowthofhishair.Ifoundmyselfrememberingtheeveningofmyweddingday.WatchingStefftakeoffthesimplebrowndressshehadchangedintoaftertheceremony.Shehadhadabigpurplebruiseononehipfromrunningintothesideofadoorthedaybefore.
