Вино из одуванчиков

           Douglaswalkedthroughitthinkingitwouldgoonthiswayforever.Theperfection,theroundness,thegrasssmelltraveledonoutaheadasfarandfastasthespeedoflight.Thesoundofagoodfriendwhistlinglikeanoriole,peggingthesoftball,asyouhorse-danced,key-jingledthedustypaths,allofitwascomplete,everythingcouldbetouched;thingsstayednear,thingswereathandandwouldremain.

           Itwassuchafinedayandthensuddenlyacloudcrossedthesky,coveredthesun,anddidnotmoveagain.

           JohnHuffhadbeenspeakingquietlyforseveralminutes.NowDouglasstoppedonthepathandlookedoverathim.

           "John,saythatagain."

           "Youheardmethefirsttime,Doug."

           "Didyousayyouwere—goingaway?"

           "Gotmytraintickethereinmypocket.Whoo-whoo,clang!Shush-shush-shush-shush.Whooooooooo..."

           Hisvoicefaded.

           Johntooktheyellowandgreentrainticketsolemnlyfromhispocketandtheybothlookedatit.

           "Tonight!"saidDouglas."Mygosh!TonightweweregoingtoplayRedLight,GreenLightandStatues!Howcome,allofasudden?YoubeenhereinGreenTownallmylife.Youjustdon’tpickupandleave!"

           "It’smyfather,"saidJohn."He’sgotajobinMilwaukee.Weweren’tsureuntiltoday..."

           "Mygosh,hereitiswiththeBaptistpicnicnextweekandthebigcarnivalLaborDayandHalloween—can’tyourdadwaittillthen?"

           Johnshookhishead.

           "Goodgrief!"saidDouglas.