Мгла
The Coming of the Storm.
Coupledwiththegruelingwinterwehadcomethroughandthelatespring,somepeoplehaddraggedoutthatoldchestnutaboutthelong-rangeresultsofthefiftiesA-bombtestsagain.That,andofcourse,theendoftheworld.Theoldestchestnutofthemall.
Thesecondsquallwasn’tsohard,butweheardthecrashofseveraltreesweakenedbythefirstonslaught.Asthewindbegantodiedownagain,onethuddedheavilyontheroof,likeafistdroppedonacoffinlid.Billyjumpedandlookedapprehensivelyupward.
"It’llhold,champ,"Isaid.
Billysmilednervously.
Aroundteno’clockthelastsquallcame.Itwasbad.Thewindhowledalmostasloudlyasithadthefirsttime,andlightningseemedtobeflashingallaroundus.Moretreesfell,andtherewasasplinteringcrashdownbythewaterthatmadeSteffutteralowcry.Billyhadgonetosleeponherlap.
"David,whatwasthat?"
"Ithinkitwastheboathouse."
"Oh.Oh,Jesus."
"Steffy,Iwantustogodownstairsagain."ItookBillyinmyarmsandstoodupwithhim.Steffseyeswerebigandfrightened.
"David,arewegoingtobeallright."
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Wewentdownstairs.Tenminuteslater,asthefinalsquallpeaked,therewasasplinteringcrashfromupstairs-thepicturewindow.Somaybemyvisionearlierhadn’tbeensocrazyafterall.Steff,whohadbeendozing,wokeupwithalittleshriek,andBillystirreduneasilyintheguestbed.
"Therainwillcomein,"shesaid."It’llruinthefurniture."
"Ifitdoes,itdoes.It’sinsured."
