"Robert Reed - A Billion Eves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

A BILLION EVES, by Robert Reed
1

Kala's parents were thrifty, impractical people. They deplored spending money, particularly on
anything that smacked of luxury or indulgence; yet at the same time, they suffered from big
dreams and a crippling inability to set responsible goals.

One spring evening, Father announced, тАЬWe should take a long drive this summer."

"To where?тАЭ Mom asked warily.

"Into the mountains,тАЭ he answered. тАЬJust like we've talked about doing a thousand times."

"But can we afford it?"

"If we count our coins, and if the fund drive keeps doing well. Why not?тАЭ First Day celebrations
had just finished, and their church, which prided itself on its responsible goals, was having a
successful year. тАЬA taste of the wilderness,тАЭ he cried out at the dinner table. тАЬDoesn't that sound
fun?"

To any other family, that would have been the beginning of a wonderful holiday. But Kala knew
better. Trouble arrived as soon as they began drawing up lists of destinations. Her brother Sandor
demanded a day or two spent exploring the canyon always named Grand. Father divulged an
unsuspected fondness for the sleepy, ice-caked volcanoes near the Mother Ocean. When pressed,
Kala admitted that she would love walking a beach beside the brackish Mormon Sea. And while
Mom didn't particularly care about sceneryтАФa point made with a distinctly superior toneтАФshe
mentioned having five sisters scattered across the West. They couldn't travel through that country
and not stop at each of their front doors, if only to quickly pay their respects.

Suddenly their objectives filled a long piece of paper, and even an eleven year-old girl could see
what was obvious: Just the driving was going choke their vacation. Worse still, Mom announced,
тАЬThere's no reason to pay strangers to cook for us. We'll bring our own food.тАЭ That meant
dragging bulky cooler everywhere they went, and every meal would be sloppy sandwiches, and
every day would begin with a hunt for fresh ice and cheap groceries to replace the supplies that
would inevitably spoil.

Not wanting to be out-cheaped by his wife, Father added, тАЬAnd we'll be camping, of course.тАЭ But
how could they camp? They didn't have equipment. тАЬOh, we have our sleeping sacks,тАЭ he
reminded his doubting daughter. тАЬAnd I'll borrow gear from our friends at church. I'm sure I can.
So don't worry. It's going to be wonderful! We'll just drive as far as we want every day and pull
over at nightfall. Just so long as it costs nothing to pitch a tent."

To Kala, this seemed like an impossible, doomed journey. Too many miles had to be conquered,
too many wishes granted, and even under the best circumstances, nobody would end up happy.

"Why don't you guys ever learn?тАЭ Kala muttered.
"What was that, darling?"

"Nothing, Father,тАЭ she replied with a minimal bow. тАЬNothing."