Мгла
After the Storm. Norton. A Trip to Town.
"Daddy,canIgodowntothelake?"
Hewastiredofthrowingbranches,andthethingtodowithalittleboywhenhe’stiredistolethimgodosomethingelse."Sure."
WewalkedbacktothehousetogetherandthenBillycutright,goingaroundthehouseandgivingthedownedwiresalargeberth.Iwentleft,intothegarage,togetmyMcCullough.AsIhadsuspected,Icouldalreadyheartheunpleasantsongofthechainsawupanddownthelake.
Itoppedupthetank,tookoffmyshirt,andwasstartingbackupthedrivewaywhenSteffcameout.Sheeyedthedownedtreeslyingacrossthedrivewaynervously.
"Howbadisit?"
"Icancutitup.Howbadisitinthere?"
"Well,Igottheglasscleanedup,butyou’regoingtohavetodosomethingaboutthattree,David.Wecan’thaveatreeinthelivingroom."
’No,"Isaid."Iguesswecan’t."
Welookedateachotherinthemorningsunlightandgotgiggling.IsettheMcCulloughdownonthecementareaway,andkissedher,holdingherbuttocksfirmly.
"Don’t,"shemurmured."Billy’s-"
Hecametearingaroundthecornerofthehousejustthen."Dad!Daddy!Y’oughtaseethe"
Steffysawthelivewiresandscreamedforhimtowatchout.Billy,whowasagooddistanceawayfromthem,pulledupshortandstaredathismotherasifshehadgonemad.
"I’mokay,Mom,"hesaidinthecarefultoneofvoiceyouusetoplacatetheveryoldandsenile.Hewalkedtowardsus,showingushowallrighthewas,andSteffbegantotrembleinmyarms.
"It’sallright,"Isaidinherear."Heknowsaboutthem."
