Над пропастью во ржи

           Minewerekillingme.Wemust’velookedgorgeous.Andwhatmadeitworse,therewereatleastacoupleofhundredrubbernecksthatdidn’thaveanythingbettertodothanstandaroundandwatcheverybodyfallingalloverthemselves.

           "Doyouwanttogetatableinsideandhaveadrinkorsomething?"Isaidtoherfinally.

           "That’sthemostmarvelousideayou’vehadallday,"thesaid.Shewaskillingherself.Itwasbrutal.Ireallyfeltsorryforher.

           Wetookoffourgoddamskatesandwentinsidethisbarwhereyoucangetdrinksandwatchtheskatersinjustyourstockingfeet.Assoonaswesatdown,oldSallytookoffhergloves,andIgaveheracigarette.Shewasn’tlookingtoohappy.Thewaitercameup,andIorderedaCokeforher—shedidn’tdrink—andaScotchandsodaformyself,butthesonuvabitchwouldn’tbringmeone,soIhadaCoke,too.ThenIsortofstartedlightingmatches.IdothatquitealotwhenI’minacertainmood.IsortofletthemburndowntillIcan’tholdthemanymore,thenIdropthemintheashtray.It’sanervoushabit.

           Thenallofasudden,outofaclearbluesky,oldSallysaid,"Look.Ihavetoknow.Areyouoraren’tyoucomingovertohelpmetrimthetreeChristmasEve?Ihavetoknow."Shewasstillbeingsnottyonaccountofherankleswhenshewasskating.

           "IwroteyouIwould.You’veaskedmethatabouttwentytimes.Sure,Iam."

           "ImeanIhavetoknow,"shesaid.Shestartedlookingallaroundthegoddamroom.