"Mary Janice Davidson - Dying For Ice Cream" - читать интересную книгу автора (Davidson Mary Janice)

"Sounds tempting," he lied, "but I think. . . no."

"Oh, please, Albert!"

"Austin."

"She's been just impossible since she was diagnosed, and
we're at our wits' end. She's always skipping doctor's
appointments, and now she's threatening not to take her
insulin."

"The redhead's being difficult? That's odd."

Sarcasm was lost on the woman. "Please, Alfred,
youтАФwhatever you did, you made quite an impression. She's
hoping you'll be her. . . com-panion, I guess is the word." She
paused. "We are, too."

He could feel himself crumbling and fought it off. "Look, I'd
like to help you, but IтАФ" Have a split personality. Have
rabies. Have a wife and kids. Something.

"We'll pay you," Mrs. Robinson assured him.

"What?"

"For your time, of course."

How about my aggravation? He sighed. It was tough work
saying no to a grown-up, that was one thing. AnotherтАФhe
couldn't get that spoiled little snot out of his head. Spoiled
little gorgeous snot. The aspirin obviously wasn't working.

"I don't want to take money for being with your daughter.
But thanks for the offer. I guess." He paused, then inspiration
hit. "I don't suppose Yvonne's any good at English."

"She gets straight A's in everything."

The woman had actually sounded insulted, like he'd asked if
Yvonne was any good at chopping the heads off rabbits and
making necklaces out of the skulls. Or maybe Mrs. Robinson
was annoyed because he wouldn't take her money.
"In everything, huh? Isn't that special. Well, if I've got myself
a tutor, Yvonne's got herself a Rent-A-Pal."

"Oh, excellent! I'll tell her. She'll be so excited, Alfred!"

"Austin. And I'm excited, too. I can hardly freakin' wait."