"David Marusek - The Wedding Album" - читать интересную книгу автора (Marusek David)

The pregnant Anne shuddered. "Is that how you see me, like a pair of shoes?" The other Benjamin
looked successively surprised, embarrassed, and angry. Cathy left them to help AnneтАЩs father
escort the guests from the simulacrum. "Promise her!" the pregnant Anne demanded.

"Promise her what?" said the other Benjamin, his voice rising.

"Promise weтАЩll never reset them again."

The Benjamin huffed. He rolled his eyes. "Okay, yah sure, whatever," he said.

When the simulated Anne and Benjamin were alone at last in their simulated living room, Anne
said, "A fat lot of help you were."

"I agreed with myself," Benjamin said. "Is that so bad?"

"Yes, it is. WeтАЩre married now; youтАЩre supposed to agree with me." This was meant to be funny,
and there was more she intended to say-about how happy she was, how much she loved him,
and how absolutely happy she was-but the lights dimmed, the room began to spin, and her
thoughts scattered like pigeons.

***

It was raining, as usual, in Seattle. The front entry shut and locked itself behind Ben, who shook
water from his clothes and removed his hat. Bowlers for men were back in fashion, but Ben was
having a devilтАЩs own time becoming accustomed to his brown felt Sportsliner. It weighed heavy
on his brow and made his scalp itch, especially in damp weather. "Good evening, Mr. Malley,"
said the house. "There is a short queue of minor household matters for your review. Do you have
any requests?" Ben could hear his son shrieking angrily in the kitchen, probably at the nanny. Ben
was tired. Contract negotiations had gone sour.

"Tell them IтАЩm home."

"Done," replied the house. "Mrs. Malley sends a word of welcome."

"Annie? AnnieтАЩs home?"

"Yes, sir."

Bobby ran into the foyer followed by Mrs. Jamieson. "MommaтАЩs home," he said.

"So I hear," Ben replied and glanced at the nanny.

"And guess what?" added the boy. "SheтАЩs not sick anymore!"

"ThatтАЩs wonderful. Now tell me, what was all that racket?"

"I donтАЩt know."

Ben looked at Mrs. Jamieson who said, "I had to take something from him." She gave Ben a
plastic chip.