"Bull,.Emma.-.War.For.The.Oaks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bull Emma)

УIf you work hard, you get promoted to brownies.Ф Carla set her
cup down. УCome on, letТs roll.Ф

Outside, the wind was blowing. It had none of the rough-sided cold
of winter in it; it was damp, with a spoor of wildness that seemed to
race through EddiТs blood. It made her want to run, yell, do any
foolish thing. . . .

УYou okay?Ф CarlaТs voice broke into her mood. УIf you donТt get in
the car, IТm gonna leave without you.Ф

Eddi took pleasure in the dash to the car, the way the wind tugged
on her hair. УRoll the windows down.Ф

УAre you bats? WeТll freeze.Ф

Eddi rolled down her own, but it wasnТt enough. As they drove
toward the city, the early spring madness drained away. The
wagonТs rattles and squeaks, its smell of cigarette butts and old
vinyl and burnt oil, took its place. By the time theyТd reached the
edge of downtown, Eddi felt weary in every muscle and bone.

What should she do now? What could she do? It sounded fine to
tell Carla that she wanted to be normal for once, but Eddi had
never been suited to a normal life. Once she had taken a job as a
security guard, patrolling an abandoned factory from four until
midnight. Each night her imagination had tenanted the shadows
with burglars and arsonists. At the end of a week the shadows
were full, and she quit. She typed too slowlyЧdid everything with
her hands too slowly, in fact, except play the guitar.

As for a normal love affair, it wasnТt impossible. She was
reasonably intelligent. She was attractive, though not beautiful:
blond and gray-eyed with strong features and clear skin; and she
was small and slender and knew how to choose her clothes. But
she wasnТt sure where to find men who werenТtЧwell, musicians.

УMighty quiet,Ф Carla said, as if she already knew why.

УIТm . . . I guess IТm beginning to realize the consequences of
everyнthing.Ф

УMmm. You going to chicken out?Ф

УNo. But. . . would you call me tomorrow? Around two-ish? I figure
IТll call Stu at one and tell him.Ф

УAnd youТll need someone to tell you youТre gonna be okay.Ф

Eddi smiled sheepishly. УYou must have done this yourself.Ф