Над пропастью во ржи

           They’dletmeputgasandoilintheirstupidcars,andthey’dpaymeasalaryandallforit,andI’dbuildmealittlecabinsomewherewiththedoughImadeandlivetherefortherestofmylife.I’dbuilditrightnearthewoods,butnotrightinthem,becauseI’dwantittobesunnyashellallthetime.I’dcookallmyownfood,andlateron,ifIwantedtogetmarriedorsomething,I’dmeetthisbeautifulgirlthatwasalsoadeaf-muteandwe’dgetmarried.She’dcomeandliveinmycabinwithme,andifshewantedtosayanythingtome,she’dhavetowriteitonagoddampieceofpaper,likeeverybodyelse.Ifwehadanychildren,we’dhidethemsomewhere.Wecouldbuythemalotofbooksandteachthemhowtoreadandwritebyourselves.

           Igotexcitedashellthinkingaboutit.Ireallydid.IknewthepartaboutpretendingIwasadeaf-mutewascrazy,butIlikedthinkingaboutitanyway.ButIreallydecidedtogooutWestandall.AllIwantedtodofirstwassaygood-bytooldPhoebe.Soallofasudden,Iranlikeamadmanacrossthestreet—Idamnneargotkilleddoingit,ifyouwanttoknowthetruth—andwentinthisstationerystoreandboughtapadandpencil.IfiguredI’dwriteheranotetellingherwheretomeetmesoIcouldsaygood-bytoherandgiveherbackherChristmasdough,andthenI’dtakethenoteuptoherschoolandgetsomebodyintheprincipal’sofficetogiveittoher.ButIjustputthepadandpencilinmypocketandstartedwalkingfastashelluptoherschool—Iwastooexcitedtowritethenoterightinthestationerystore.IwalkedfastbecauseIwantedhertogetthenotebeforeshewenthomeforlunch,andIdidn’thaveanytoomuchtime.

           Iknewwhereherschoolwas,naturally,becauseIwenttheremyselfwhenIwasakid.WhenIgotthere,itfeltfunny.Iwasn’tsureI’drememberwhatitwaslikeinside,butIdid.