"What-UncleGorby" - читать интересную книгу автора (What Leslie)

"Goo'night," he said, his voice tentative and small. She resisted an urge to
lean over him and smother his forehead with tender kisses.

"Good night," she said, and walked to her room. She sat at her desk to begin her
first letter to Uncle Gorby. Wouldn't that be something? she thought. Wouldn't
Daddy be pleased if I found his brother? She put her pen to the paper, but her
hand shook from cold, and she found it difficult to write.

"Dear Uncle Gorby," she began at last. "It might come as a big surprise to learn
you have family in the States. Perhaps you could come visit. There's something I
want to talk to you about." She shivered and tucked the hem of her pajama top
into the waistband to ward away the chill.

And then a voice floated above her, clear and real. "I am all right, my
daughter," her father reassured her in his broken English.

"Daddy?" she asked. "Is that you?" Katya looked around her room, but saw
nothing, except maybe the flicker of the floor lamp. She felt close to tears as
she hunched over her desk, hugging herself.

The lamp crackled and the light sputtered off. Katya closed her eyes to the
darkness of the room.

"Daughter," said her father. "Why are you doing this ? I am gone and you cannot
bring me back."

"How could you leave without telling me goodbye?" she whispered. "How will I
know if you forgive me?"

"I will, if you forgive me," he whispered, and at once the cold lifted. She felt
her father's countenance, noticed the slightly sour aroma of leather, the
prickling feeling on her cheek like a kiss. She warmed inside an unconditional
embrace as her father took her hand and led her toward her bed to sleep.

There was a weak knock on her bedroom door in the morning. Katya stirred as
Anther asked, "Are there any brownies left?"

She opened her eyes and sat up quickly in bed. "I'll make you breakfast," she
said. "Oatmeal, with bran added. Fresh fruit, whole wheat toast."

She heard him groan. "What time is my mom coming to get me?" he asked.

"Later," she said. "Aren't you hungry for something healthy? How about waffles?
With real maple syrup?"

"Great," he said. "Health food, just like at home."

She followed him into the kitchen. He plopped into a chair and she walked past
him to the cupboard. She heard a crunch and lifted up her foot to look. Anther