Мгла
After the Storm. Norton. A Trip to Town.
Hishead’sonprettystraight.Heforgetstopickuphisclothes,butheisn’tgoingtogoandsteponabunchoflivelines.He’sgotagood,healthydoseofself-interest."Itouchedacornerofhermouthanditobligedbyturningupinthebeginningofasmile."Better?"
"Youalwaysmakeitseembetter,"shesaid,andthatmademefeelgood.
FromthelakesideofthehouseBillywasyellingforustocomeandsee.
"Comeon,"Isaid."Let’sgolookatthedamage."
Shesnortedruefully."ifIwanttolookatdamage,Icangositinmylivingroom."
"Makealittlekidhappy,then."
Wewalkeddownthestonestepshandinhand.WehadjustreachedthefirstturninthemwhenBillycamefromtheotherdirectionatspeed,almostknockingusover.
"Takeiteasy,"Steffsaid,frowningalittle.Maybe,inhermind,shewasseeinghimskiddingintothatdeadlynestoflivewiresinsteadofthetwoofus.
"Yougottacomesee!"Billypanted."Theboathouseisallbashed!There’sadockontherocks...andtreesintheboatcove...JesusChrist!"
"BillyDrayton!"Steffthundered.
"Sorry,Ma-butyougotta-wow!"Hewasgoneagain.
"Havingspoken,thedoomsayerdeparts,"Isaid,andthatmadeSteffgiggleagain."Listen,afterIcutupthosetreesacrossthedriveway,I’llgobytheCentralMainePowerofficeonPortlandRoad.Tellthemwhatwegot.Okay?"
"Okay,"shesaidgratefully."Whendoyouthinkyoucango?"
Exceptforthebigtree-theonewiththemoldycorsetofmoss-itwouldhavebeenanhour’swork.
