Мгла
After the Storm. Norton. A Trip to Town.
It’salittleleftoverfromthestorm,that’sall.Twofrontsmeeting.Somethingalongthatline."
"David,areyousure?"
Ilaughedandhauledmyarmaroundherneck."No,actually,I’mbullshittinglikecrazy.IfIwassure,I’dbedoingtheweatheronthesix-o’clocknews.Goonandmakeyourshoppinglist."
Shegavemeonemoredoubtfulglance,lookedatthefogbankforamomentortwowiththeflatofherhandhelduptoshadehereyes,andthenshookherhead."Weird,"shesaid,andwalkedaway.
ForBilly,themisthadlostitsnovelty.Hehadfishedtheflagandatangleoflanyardoutofthewater.Wespreaditonthelawntodry.
"Ihearditwaswrongtoeverlettheflagtouchtheground,Daddy,"hesaidinabusinesslike,let’s-get-this-out-of-the-waytone.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah.VictorMcAllistersaystheylectercutepeopleforit."
"Well,youtellViche’sfullofwhatmakesthegrassgrowgreen."
"Horseshit,right?"Billyisabrightboy,butoddlyhumorless.Tothechamp,everythingisseriousbusiness.I’mhopingthathe’lllivelongenoughtolearnthatinthisworldthatisaverydangerousattitude.
"Yeah,right,butdon’ttellyourmotherIsaidso.Whentheflag’sdry,we’llputitaway.We’llevenfolditintoacockedhat,sowe’llbeonsafegroundthere."
"Daddy,willwefixtheboathouseroofandgetanewflagpole?"Forthefirsttimehelookedanxious.He’dmaybehadenoughdestructionforawhile.
Iclappedhimontheshoulder."You’redamntooting."
