"Fish, Patricia - The Chipmunk Rat" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fish Patricia)

For several seconds Joana and I stared at each other through remarkably
similar blue eyes. Joana pulled away first.
We never talked about the Уother things.Ф We only talked about the rats.
УI picked some flowers for you, Aunt Mary,Ф a gap-toothed Rudy said, and
extended a fistful of wilted dandelions. If I was going to have her giving me
dandelion bouquets I determined she would just have to suffer some auntly
kisses and hugs. I scooped her into my arms and proceeded to do such
administering, to her giggles and wiggles.
She smelled like baby powder. I snuggled my nose deeper into her sweet neck.
She was my joy, this bad little niece of mine. She was the closest thing to a
child I would ever have.
I couldnТt have children because of the Уother thingsФ my father did to me.
Thank goodness Joana didnТt suffer the same fate or we wouldnТt have this
precious little Rudy. Although I knew Joana had suffered something. Which is
why I helped her out that day she shot our father.
Joana pulled Rudy from my grasp, gave her a swat on the behind and shooed her
outside to play. We both stood by the picture window, watching Rudy chase
butterflies and run with childish abandonment.
УYou werenТt shooting at rats that day, Joana. I know that.Ф
I say this quietly, my comments directed to the surround.
УI didnТt know they were chipmunks, Mare. They were running all around. I
thought they were rats.Ф
Joana said this just as quietly, her comments also directed to the surround.
УYouТre a lousy shot, Joana. You were only eleven years old. Your bullet went
nowhere near Dad.Ф
For a few seconds, Joana looked at me thoughtfully.
УI saw you up there,Ф she said.
УAnd I saw you down there.Ф
Joana had been on the back porch; DadТs rifle perched deliberately on her
shoulder. She was aiming at DadТs head. I was supposed to be at school, but
had returned early after claiming sickness. I saw Joana. I knew what she was
doing. I grabbed the other rifle and positioned myself in the upper window.
When she shot, I decided I would shoot too. One of us would get him.
УIs that why you switched the rifles?Ф
I nodded yes, still watching Rudy at play.
УFor ballistics. I wanted you holding the rifle that really shot Dad.Ф
УYou wanted them to believe my story?Ф
УYou were a child. You thought the chipmunks were rats. You were scared of
rats. The chipmunks were all over the place. You panicked and grabbed the gun
your father taught you how to use. You accidentally shot him. It sounded
good.Ф
Rudy let out a scream. Joana and I rushed out to her aid.
УIt was some kind of furry thing! It ran right over my foot!Ф
Joana was holding Rudy, who was semi-hysterical.
УIt was a chipmunk. See. ThereТs its hole.Ф
I pointed out the burrow to my sobbing niece. She immediately quieted and
peered down from her motherТs arms, curiosity now overtaking fear. I pulled
her down from her motherТs arms and pushed my foot noisily in a brush pile.
The little striped guy came right out.
Loudly enough for her mother to hear, I told Rudy to follow the chipmunk, see