Вино из одуванчиков

           Safe,ohsafe,safehome,sogood,sogood,safe!Safeinside,thedoorlocked.Wait.

           Lookoutthewindow.

           Shelooked.

           Why,there’snoonethereatall!Nobody.Therewasnobodyfollowingmeatall.Nobodyrunningafterme.Shegotherbreathandalmostlaughedatherself.Itstandstoreason.Ifamanhadbeenfollowingme,he’dhavecaughtme!I’mnotafastrunner...There’snooneontheporchorintheyard.Howsillyofme.Iwasn’trunningfromanything.Thatravine’sassafeasanyplace.Justthesame,it’snicetobehome.Home’sthereallygoodwarmplace,theonlyplacetobe.

           Sheputherhandouttothelightswitchandstopped.

           "What?"sheasked."What,What?"

           Behindherinthelivingroom,someoneclearedhisthroat.

           "Goodgrief,theyruineverything!"

           "Don’ttakeitsohard,Charlie."

           "Well,what’rewegoingtotalkaboutnow?It’snousetalkingtheLonelyOneifheain’tevenalive!It’snotscaryanymore!"

           "Don’tknowaboutyou,Charlie,"saidTom."I’mgoingbacktoSummer’sIceHouseandsitinthedoorandpretendhe’saliveandgetcoldallupanddownmyspine."

           "That’scheating."

           "Yougottotakeyourchillswhereyoucanfindthem,Charlie."

           DouglasdidnotlistentoTomandCharlie.HelookedatLaviniaNebbs’shouseandspoke,almosttohimself.

           "Iwastherelastnightintheravine.Isawit.Isaweverything.OnmywayhomeIcutacrosshere.Isawthatlemonadeglassrightontheporchrail,halfempty.ThoughtI’dliketodrinkit.Liketodrinkit,Ithought.