Поющие в терновнике

           Roundandupcamehereyestohis,amazed,outraged,furious;evennow,evennow!Timesuspended,shestaredathimso,andhewasforcedtosee,breathcaughtastounded,thegrownwomaninthoseglass-cleareyes.Meggie’seyes.Oh,God,Meggie’seyes!

           HehadmeantwhathesaidtoAnneMueller;hejustwantedtoseeher,nothingmore.Thoughhelovedher,hehadn’tcometobeherlover.Onlytoseeher,talktoher,beherfriend,sleeponthelivingroomcouchwhilehetriedoncemoretounearththetaprootofthateternalfascinationshepossessedforhim,thinkingthatifonlyhecouldseeitfullyexposed,hemightgainthespiritualmeanstoeradicateit.

           IthadbeenhardtoadjusttoaMeggiewithbreasts,awaist,hips;buthehaddoneitbecausewhenhelookedintohereyes,therelikethepooloflightinasanctuarylampshonehisMeggie.Amindandaspiritwhosepullshehadneverbeenfreefromsincefirstmeetingher,stillunchangedinsidethatdistressinglychangedbody;butwhilehecouldseeproofoftheircontinuedexistenceinhereyes,hecouldacceptthealteredbody,disciplinehisattractiontoit.

           And,visitinghisownwishesanddreamsuponher,hehadneverdoubtedshewantedtodothesameuntilshehadturnedonhimlikeagoadedcat,atJustine’sbirth.Eventhen,aftertheangerandhurtdiedinhim,hehadattributedherbehaviortothepainshehadgonethrough,spiritualmorethanphysical.