Вино из одуванчиков

           Here’sthetopofthepath,here’sthestreet,oh,God,pleaseletmebesafe,ifIgethomesafeI’llnevergooutalone;Iwasafool,letmeadmitit,Iwasafool,Ididn’tknowwhatterrorwas,butifyouletmegethomefromthisI’llnevergowithoutHelenorFrancineagain!Here’sthestreet.Acrossthestreet!

           Shecrossedthestreetandrushedupthesidewalk.

           OhGod,theporch!Myhouse!OhGod,pleasegivemetimetogetinsideandlockthedoorandI’llbesafe!

           Andthere—sillythingtonotice—whydidshenotice,instantly,notime,notime—butthereitwasanyway,flashingby—thereontheporchrail,thehalf-filledglassoflemonadeshehadabandonedalongtime,ayear,halfaneveningago!Thelemonadeglasssittingcalmly,imperturbablythereontherail...and...

           Sheheardherclumsyfeetontheporchandlistenedandfeltherhandsscrabblingandrippingatthelockwiththekey.Sheheardherheart.Sheheardherinnervoicescreaming.

           Thekeyfit.

           Unlockthedoor,quick,quick!

           Thedooropened.

           Now,inside.Slamit!

           Sheslammedthedoor.

           "Nowlockit,barit,lockit!"shegaspedwretchedly.

           "Lockit,tight,tight!"

           Thedoorwaslockedandboltedtight.

           Themusicstopped.Shelistenedtoherheartagainandthesoundofitdiminishingintosilence.

           Home!OhGod,safeathome!Safe,safeandsafeathome!Sheslumpedagainstthedoor.Safe,safe.Listen.Notasound.Safe,safe,ohthankGod,safeathome.I’llnevergooutatnightagain.I’llstayhome.Iwon’tgooverthatravineagainever.