"Sheri S. Tepper - The Family Tree" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tepper Sherri)

came in, then went back to the wall, as though he were watching the denouement of some compelling
television drama. She pulled the straight chair away from the wall and sat on it, waiting. Eventually he
would get tired of ignoring her. If he didn't, she could always start making annoying sounds in her throat.
"Where've you been?" he asked at last, letting his eyes swivel in her direction once more.
"At your place, Jared. And at work."
"You haven't been here."
"Your mother's been here. And I've called, every day, to see how you're doing."
"I don't like the food."
"Hospital food is usually pretty bad," she admitted. "Do you need anything from your place?"
He made a face without saying anything.
"I came today to tell you something," she began. He showed no interest. "I'm getting a divorce."
His eyes swiveled again. His head actually turned. "What do you mean, divorce? You can't do that. I've
given you no reason."
"Well, Jared, people don't need specific reasons these days. It's enough if you just aren't happy, and you
know, I'm not."
"Well, if you're not happy, that's your own fault," he challenged her. "It's got nothing to do with me."

file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...r/Sheri%20S.%20Tepper%20-%20The%20Family%20Tree.htm (24 of 333)23-2-2006 17:57:17
 THE FAMILY TREE - Sheri S Tepper



She blinked slowly, turtlelike, pulling her psychological shell around her ears. Oil, not nitro, she
reminded herself. "Well, you're probably right, Jared. My happiness has nothing to do with you. And
that being the case, we ought not to be married. The fact is I want a home of my own, but your home is
so much yours, I don't feel like I belong there."
No response.
"You don't really have room for some other person in your life, Jared. All you need is a cook-
housekeeper, and I'm sure your momma can hire one for you. So, I'm going to be moved out when you
come home."
He stared at her, or right through her, such a cold stare it set up an icy shiver inside. "But I'm used to
you. You serve a purpose! I won't allow it."
Words left her. Who or what did the man think he was? More important, who did he think she was?
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but I really feel it's best, for both of us." Bland, meaningless, nothing words.
He didn't say anything more, just turned back to his private vision on the blank wall, leaving her with a
shiver in her gut that stayed with her all the way home. Polly took one look at her face and said she'd
help her pack. They spent the evening and all the next day packing everything that belonged to Dora,
searching out every little thing, going through every drawer, every shelf, even though almost everything
she owned was in the bedroom she'd used. The way Dora felt, just gathering up her things wasn't
enough! She cleaned every room in the house from ceiling to carpet; she scrubbed the bathroom; she
changed the sheets on the bed and put the used ones through the washer. She emptied the lint trap in the
drier and took the garbage out, then she vacuumed everything three times and threw out the vacuum bag.
"What are we doing this for?" Polly asked. "You think he'll conduct an inspection?"
Dora laughed, a little hysterically. "I don't want anything of me left here, Pol. Does that sound crazy?"
"No hair? No toenail clippings?" Polly laughed. "You think he's going to make a little doll and stick pins
in it?"
Dora sobered up. "Let's just not leave any evidence I was ever here. Right? No skin flakes. No glass with
my lipstick or fingerprints. NoтАжno nothing."
"You do think he'll put a hex on you!" Polly started to laugh, but stopped when she saw the look on
Dora's face. "What, Dory?"