第22节

    【】seanthteayfather,soietalrodtreatnt.

    onthortr,andthegrassedinthesunshihelaundryhangingonclothesliheiryardsstirredbythebreezetodancelikebutterflies.

    egranatesfrohetree.iunfoldedthestoryidbroughtalong,tuedtothefirstpage,thenputitdoegrahadfallentotheground.

    “youhthis”isaid,tossingthefruitupanddown.

    hassanssleeered.no,notolder,old.edhiseyes,hisuth.ightasyself.

    “ed.

    thelorfellfroisfa,thestapledpagesofthestoryidprosedtoreadhilutteredinthebreeze.ihurledthepograhiitstruthechest,explodedinasprayofredpulp.hassanscryhsurpriseandpain.

    “hitbathestainonhischestto.

    “getuphit”isaid.hassandidgetup,buthejuststoodthere,lookingdazedlikeandraggedintotheobyariptideontago,herollonthebeach.

    ihithigraheshoulderthisti.thejuinyou”iethepunishntiaybethenthingsuldretutohoagainandagain.“youreanward”

    idontknoanytisihithialliknoearedinredlikehedbeenshotbyafiringsquad.ifelltokired,spent,frustrated.

    thenhassandidpickupapogranate.hee.heopeandcrusheditagainsthisoisfieddoyoufeelbetter”hetuedaroundandstarteddohehill.

    iletthetearsbreakfree,royknees.

    “igoingtodoigoingtodoethetearsdriedupanditrudgeddohehill,ikneheansothatquestion.

    ituedthirteenthatsuerof1976,afghanistaolastsuerofpeaity.thiiddethedayetoanend.ybenotquitesosoon,butitr,thesedretreatingtohisstudyaftersupper.andbingthroughhfezandkhayyágnaynailsdoybed,keepiintohi

    babasttoaboutthroeerseforhavinglivedtothirteen.thenirealizedtheyingfor.itybirthday,butikneherealstaroftheshoas.

    fordays,thehouseiforanyofthethree.heslaughteredtheanilshielfintheyardbyapoplartree.“bloodisgoodforthetree,”ireerhiayingasthegrassaroundthepoplarsoakedred.nididntkheoaktreesalleleuhaad,etothehousedordello,asbabacalledhiefusedpayntforhisservices.hesaidbabahaddoneenoughfor

    hisfalyalready.itkhane,asdelloriheat,thatbabahadleheoopenhisrestaurant.babahadrefusedrepayntuntildellohadshooney.

    iguessinstybirthdaybashokingoairs,leaningagainstdleduhegloihelightofkeroseorchesproppedeveryadzahirassesofdangbodies.

    ihadtogreeteaadesureofthat;nooneanners.ikissedhundredsoffortheirgifts.fayplasteredsle.

    ieonesaid,“happybirthday,ar.”itood,other,tanya,all,nervousaniledandblinkedalot.assef

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