"Robert Reed - Night Calls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

Ferrum wasnтАЩt an outgoing person. Pretending to see nothing was
easy. He focused on his kite, and, as the wind died, its increasing
demands. Then the wind vanished, and he had no choice but to reel in the
string and carry his toy back to his car. The girl was still sitting close by.
Nobody else was visible. She remained behind the wheel, but for the
moment, her suffering was done. Sad swollen eyes glanced his way, and
he noticed how pretty she was. Then with a mixture of embarrassment and
expectation, she smiled: She didnтАЩt want to be noticed, but on the other
hand, her pain was too large and important to hide away.

In a moment of unusual fortitude, Ferrum approached. тАЬDo you need
help, miss?тАЭ

For some reason, that was an extremely funny question. She broke
into a smart little laugh, and just as suddenly, she was sobbing again.
 тАЬIтАЩm sorry,тАЭ Ferrum muttered, beginning his retreat.

тАЬBut I liked watching,тАЭ she confessed.

тАЬExcuse me?тАЭ

тАЬThe kite. I enjoyed its dance.тАЭ

In FerrumтАЩs mind, she was exotic. The colored scarf and the style of
her dress made her different from every other woman he normally spoke
with. Refugees were fleeing their native lands, desperate to escape a host
of political troubles. She must have been among the recent ├йmigr├йs. Her
voice carried a rich accent. Her face and beautiful skin betrayed a history
composed of the lost nationтАЩs ancient tribes.

Ferrum asked, тАЬWhere are you from?тАЭ

Laughing, the stranger named his home city.

Of course, she was a naturalized citizen. What was he thinking?

тАЬIтАЩm sorry,тАЭ he muttered. тАЬThat was a stupid question.тАЭ

The girl saw something worthy of a smiling stare. тАЬYou should ask
something smart, then.тАЭ

Ferrum learned her name and pieces of her life story.

It was Rabiah who brought up the possibility of dinner, and Ferrum
mentioned that he was free for the rest of the evening.

Unfortunately, she had a previous commitment.

Eventually they settled on the evening after next, and following