"Carolyn Ives Gilman - Okanoggan Falls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gilman Carolyn Ives)

Susan let go of the mouse to reach out and wipe her hand on Nick's arm. тАЬEew, gross!тАЭ he said. тАЬNow
I've got toad germs."

"Don't call them that,тАЭ she said sharply. тАЬIt's not polite. You're going to have to be very polite tonight."

"I don't have to touch him, do I?"

"No, I'm sure touching a grody little boy is the last thing he wants."
In the next room, Tom had dialed a different number. тАЬListen, Walt, I think I'm going to need a patrol car
in front of my house tonight. If this toad gets shot coming up my walk, my house is going to be a smoking
crater tomorrow."

"Is that true?тАЭ Nick asked, wide-eyed.

"No,тАЭ Susan lied. тАЬHe's exaggerating."

"Can I go to Jake's tonight?"

"No, I need you here,тАЭ Susan said, hiding the pang of anxiety it gave her.

"What are we having for dinner?"

"I'm trying to find out what they eat, if you'd just leave me alone."

"I'm not eating bugs."

"Neither am I,тАЭ Susan said. тАЬNow go away."

Tom came in and sank into a chair with a sigh. тАЬThe whole town is up in arms,тАЭ he said. тАЬLiterally. Paula
wanted to picket our house tonight. I told her to trust you, that you've got a plan. Of course, I don't
know what it is."

"I think my plan is to feed him pizza,тАЭ Susan said.

"Pizza?"

"Why not? I can't find that they have any dietary restrictions, and everyone loves pizza."

Tom laid his head back and stared glumly at the ceiling. тАЬSure. Why not? If it kills him, you'll be a hero.
For about half an hour; then you'll be a martyr."

"Pizza never killed anyone,тАЭ Susan said, and got up to start straightening up the house.

The Abernathys lived in a big old 1918 three-story with a wraparound porch and a witch's-hat tower, set
in a big yard. The living room had sliding wood doors, stained-glass fanlights, and a wood-framed
fireplace. It could have been fancy, but instead it had a frayed, lived-in lookтАФheaps of books,
puppy-chewed Oriental carpet, an upright piano piled with model airplanes. The comfy, well-dented
furniture showed the marks of constant comings and goings, school projects, and meetings. There was
rarely a night when the Abernathys didn't have guests, but dinner was never formal. Formality was alien