Вино из одуванчиков

           Thelakewasaquantityofsteamverystillanddeepovervalleysoffishandsandheldbakingunderitsserenevapors.Tarwaspouredlicoriceinthestreets,redbrickswerebrassandgold,rooftopswerepavedwithbronze.Thehigh-tensionwireswerelightningheldforever,blazing,athreatabovetheunslepthouses.

           Thecicadassanglouderandyetlouder.

           Thesundidnotrise,itoverflowed.

           Inhisroom,hisfaceabubbledmassofperspiration,Douglasmeltedonhisbed.

           "Wow,"saidTom,entering."Comeon,Doug.We’lldrownintheriverallday."

           Douglasbreathedout.Douglasbreathedin.Sweattrickleddownhisneck.

           "Doug,youawake?"

           Theslightestnodofthehead.

           "Youdon’tfeelgood,huh?Boy,thishouse’llburndowntoday."HeputhishandonDouglas’sbrow.Itwasliketouchingablazingstovelid.Hepulledhisfingersaway,startled.Heturnedandwentdownstairs.

           "Mom,"hesaid,"Doug’sreallysick."

           Hismother,takingeggsoutoftheicebox,stopped,letaquicklookofconcerncrossherface,puttheeggsback,andfollowedTomupstairs.

           Douglashadnotmovedsomuchasafinger.

           Thecicadaswerescreamingnow.

           Atnoon,runningasifthesunwereafterhimtosmashhimtotheground,thedoctorpulleduponthefrontporch,gasping,hiseyeswearyalready,andgavehisbagtoTom.

           Atoneo’clockthedoctorcameoutofthehouse,shakinghishead.Tomandhismotherstoodbehindthescreendoor,asthedoctortalkedinalowvoice,sayingoverandoveragainhedidn’tknow,hedidn’tknow.