"Charles L. Grant - Gallery Of Horror" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Charles L)

in swung around in the air. He set her down with a thump. Looked at
her with his big cruel eyes ." And where's that pretty new dress your
Mommy told me about?"

- "It got torn," Janey said, staring at the carpet ." I can't wear it
today."

Her mother was angry again ." That is not true, young lady, and

you know it! I ironed that dress this morning and it is perfect." She
pointed upward ." You march right back upstairs to your room and put on
that dress!"

"No, Maggie." Gus shook his head ." Let the child stay as she is .

She looks fine. Let's just have lunch." He prodded Janey in the stomach
." Bet that little tummy of yours is starved for some turkey."

And Uncle Gus pretended to laugh. Janey was never fooled; she knew real
laughs from pretend laughs. But Mommy and Daddy never seemed to know
the difference.

Janey's mother sighed and smiled at Gus ." All right, I'll let it go
this time-but I really think you spoil her."

"Nonsense. Janey and I understand each other." He stared down at her ."
Don't we, sweetie?"

Lunch was no fun. Janey couldn't finish her mashed potatoes, and she'd
just nibbled at her turkey. She could never enjoy eating with her uncle
there. As usual, her father barely noticed she was at the table .

He didn't care if she wore her new dress or not. Mommy took care of her
and Daddy took care of business, whatever that was. Janey could never
figure out what he did, but he left every day for some office she'd
never seen and he made enough money there so that he always had some to
give to Uncle Gus when Mommy asked him for a check.

Today was Sunday so Daddy was home with his big newspaper to read and
the car to wax and the grass to trim. He did the same things every
Sunday.

Does Daddy love me? I know that Mommy does, even though she spanks me
sometimes. But she always hugs me after. Daddy never hugs me. He buys
me ice cream, and he takes me to the movies on Saturday afternoon, but I
don't think he loves me.

Which is why she could never tell him the truth about Uncle Gus .
He'd never listen.