"Thomas M. Disch - Understanding Human Behavior" - читать интересную книгу автора (Disch Thomas M)

had been involved in sizable altercations with the state police. The two women who carried
her down from New Focus in the sling busied themselves with straps and buckles and then, at
Rochelle's nod, launched her off the side of the cliff. She rose, motor-assisted, on the updraft,
and waved to her daughter, who sat watching on the edge of the cliff. The girl waved back.
Then the girl went off by herself to the picnic table area, where two rag dolls awaited her
atop one of the tables.

He walked over to the table and asked if she minded if he shared the bench with her.

She shook her head, and then in a rather dutiful tone introduced her dolls. The older was Ms.
Chillywiggles, the younger was Ms. Sillygiggles. They were married. "And my name is Rochelle,
the same as my mother. What's yours?"

"Richard Roe."

"Did you bring any food?"

"No. Sorry."

"Oh well, we'll just have to pretend. Here's some tuna fish, and here's some cake." She doled
out the imaginary food with perfunctory mime to her dolls, and then with exaggerated delicacy
she held up -- what was it? -- something for him.

"Open your mouth and close your eyes," she insisted.

He did, and felt her fingers on his tongue.

"What was that?" he asked, afterward.

"Holy Communion. Did you like it?"

"Mm."

"Are you a Catholic?"

"No, unless that just made me one."
"We are. We believe in God the Father Almighty and everything. Ms. Chillywiggles was even in
a convent before she got married. Weren't you?" Ms. Chillywiggles nodded her large, wobbly
head.

Finding the subject uncomfortable, he changed it. "Look at your mother up there now. Wow."

Rochelle sighed and for a moment, to be polite, glanced up to where her mother was soaring,
hundreds of feet above.

"It's incredible, her flying like that."

"That's what everyone says. But you don't need your leg muscles for a hang-glider, just your
arms. And her arms are very strong."