Вино из одуванчиков

           Itwasseveno’clock,supperover,andtheboysgatheringonebyonefromthesoundoftheirhousedoorsslammedandtheirparentscryingtothemnottoslamthedoors.DouglasandTomandCharlieandJohnstoodamonghalfadozenothersanditwastimeforhide-and-seekandStatues.

           "Justonegame,"saidJohn."ThenIgottogohome.Thetrainleavesatnine.Who’sgoingtobe‘it’?"

           "Me,"saidDouglas.

           "ThatthefirsttimeIeverheardofanybodyvolunteeringtobe‘it,’"saidTom.

           DouglaslookedatJohnforalongmoment."Startrunning,"hecried.

           Theboysscattered,yelling.Johnbackedaway,thenturnedandbegantolope.Douglascountedslowly.Heletthemrunfar,spreadout,separateeachtohisownsmallworld.Whentheyhadgottheirmomentumupandwerealmostoutofsighthetookadeepbreath.

           "Statues!"

           Everyonefroze.

           VeryquietlyDouglasmovedacrossthelawntowhereJohnHuffstoodlikeanirondeerinthetwilight.

           Faraway,theotherboysstoodhandsup,facesgrimaced,eyesbrightasstuffedsquirrels.

           ButherewasJohn,aloneandmotionlessandnoonerushingormakingagreatoutcrytospoilthismoment.

           Douglaswalkedaroundthestatueoneway,walkedaroundthestatuetheotherway.Thestatuedidnotmove.

           Itdidnotspeak.Itlookedatthehorizon,itsmouthhalfsmiling.

           ItwaslikethattimeyearsagoinChicagowhentheyhadvisitedabigplacewherethecarvedmarblefigureswere,andhiswalkingaroundtheminthesilence.SoherewasJohnHuffwithgrassstainsonhiskneesandtheseatofhis.