Вино из одуванчиков

           Hehadtogetawayfromtheseotherboysbecausetheyweren’tthinkingaboutdeath,theyjustlaughedandyelledatthedeadmanasifhestilllived.Douglasandthedeadmanwereonaboatpullingaway,withalltheothersleftbehindonthebrightshore,running,jumping,hilariouswithmotion,notknowingthattheboat,thedeadmanandDouglasweregoing,going,andnowgoneintodarkness.Weeping,Douglasrantothelemon-smellingmen’sroomwhere,sick,itseemedafirehydrantchurnedthreetimesfromhisthroat.

           Andwaitingforthesicknesstopasshethought:AllthepeopleIknowwhodiedthissummer!ColonelFreeleigh,dead!Ididn’tknowitbefore;why?Great-grandma,dead,too.Really-truly.Notonlythatbut...Hepaused.Me!No,theycan’tkillme!Yes,saidavoice,yes,anytimetheywanttotheycan,nomatterhowyoukickorscream,theyjustputabighandoveryouandyou’restill...Idon’twanttodie!Douglasscreamed,withoutasound.You’llhavetoanyway,saidthevoice,you’llhavetoanyway...

           Thesunlightoutsidethetheaterblazeddownuponunrealstreet,unrealbuildings,andpeoplemovingslowly,asifunderabrightandheavyoceanofpureburninggasandhimthinkingthatnow,nowatlasthemustgohomeandfinishoutthefinallineinhisnickeltablet:SOMEDAY,I,DOUGLASSPAULDING,MUSTDIE...