John Saul - Umbra

5/27/2018 John Saul - Umbra

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John SaulUmbr

JOHN SAUL

Umbr(Shadows)

1992

PROLOG

Timmy Evans se trezi n umbr.Bezn att e an! n!t nu "utea istin#e nimi!.Obs!uritate !are$% n!&n'ura "e Timmy( nv%uinu$% ntr$& mantie at)t e ens ! se

ntreba a! nu !umva ima#inea va# a %umii !are "%utea %a mar#inea amintiri%&r %ui nu erae!t un vis.

*u t&ate astea( Timmy era si#ur ! nu visa +i ! %umina e,ista !u aevrat- simea !uneva( mu%t n s"ate%e &"a!itii n !are se #sea( era & a%t %ume.

/intr$& at a 0&st si#ur ! e% nu mai 0!ea "arte in a!east %ume.N$avea iee !t era &ra( !e zi era( ni!i m!ar n !e an se a0%a.Era zi sau n&a"te

Nu +tia.

Tre"tat( "rime%e tenta!u%e a%e 0ri!ii n!e"ur s$i ea tr!&a%e. Timmy n!e"u s e,"%&rezebezna in 'uru% su( n!er!n s a"u!e ntuneri!u%. Nu simi nimi!. Era !a +i !um "r&"rii%esa%e e#ete is"ruser. +i m"reun mini%e. n %&! e a+te"tata !%ur a "a%me%&r "resateuna "este a%ta( nu simi nimi!. Nu "er!e"ea abs&%ut nimi!.

*ara!atia uria+ a s"aimei +i strnse mai tare tenta!u%e%e n 'uru% %ui. 3intea sa re0uz"ani!a( se trase na"&i in 0aa ei( n!er!n s se as!un e ntuneri!.

*e s$a ntm"%atUne se a0%*um a'unsese ai!i4nstin!tiv( n!e"u s numere56 Unu( &i( trei( "atru.

Numere%e mr+%uiau "rin !reieru% su( i%atnu$se "e msur !e +i as!u%ta v&!eainteri&ar int&nn is!ret !uvinte%e !are nsemnau "entru e% t&t !e era mai ne"reuit. Eraa!eea+i v&!e "e !are +i$& amintea in tre!utu% evenit e&at !&n0uz( "e !n era %umin +i seauzeau mu%te sunete.

*7iar +i atun!i( nainte !a e% s se e+te"te n bezn( sin#ure%e !are aveau im"&rtan"entru e% erau numere%e.

nt&teauna 0usese a+a( e !n era mi!u +i sttea ntins "e s"ate( z#inu$se %a un &bie!tsus"enat easu"ra "tuu%ui su. Numere%e nti"rite "e a!e% %u!ru m&bi% nsemnau e "eatun!i !eva "entru e%. /e+i 0usese "rea mi! "entru a e0ini &bie!tu% mi+!t&r( amintireaima#inii a!estuia i era 0&arte !%ar.

6 Unu( &i( trei( "atru.Lu!ru% a!e%a !&%&rat( sus"enat !u un 0ir e tavan( se rsu!ea n!et easu"ra %ui( n tim"

!e v&!ea in !reier r&stea rs"i!at 0ie!are numr "e msur !e$% &bserva.6 Unu( &i( trei( "atru.

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3ai trziu a vzut a%t &bie!t( "e "erete%e e %n# e%.6 Unu( &i( trei( "atru( !in!i( +ase( +a"te( &"t( n&u( ze!e( uns"reze!e( &is"reze!e.Timmy Evans a nvat s numere u" bti%e "enu%ei( e+i n$avea ni!i !ea mai mi!

iee es"re !e era un !eas sau %a !e servea e%. Sttea t&at ziua ntins n "tu( !u &!7ii 0i,ai"e !eas( numrn e 0ie!are at !n %imba &r&%iu%ui atin#ea & !i0r.

*n a nvat s mear#( a n!e"ut s$+i !&ntabi%izeze "a+ii( s"unn 0ie!are numr !uv&!e tare. +i numra "a+ii "e verana !asei "rinte+ti. Numra !r"turi%e in tr&tuaru% !arese"ara !urtea e +&sea.

/u" !e "rinii %$au %uat !u ei %a biseri!( numra #eamuri%e %&!a+u%ui +i !&%&ane%e !aresusineau tavanu% na%t. Numra "an#%i!i%e &riz&nta%e a%e 'a%uze%e%&r e %a 0ereastra !amerei %ui+i rnuri%e &r&nate e %e#ume "%antate e mama sa n #rinia in s"ate%e !asei.

Numra &ri!e. 8rin minte i se rsu!eau +iruri nes0r+ite e numere.Numere !are nsemnau !eva.Numere !are nsemnau &rine.Numere !are$i e0ineau universu%.Numere%e i um"%eau mintea +i % su0&!au.

E%e erau "rietenii +i 'u!rii%e %ui.Le m"reuna +i %e se"ara( e,aminnu$%e( "n !e a ne%es m&u% e,a!t n !are trebuiau0&%&site. Le mu%ti"%i!a( %e iviza( %e e,tr#ea r!ina( %e rii!a %a "utere. Numere%e au 0&stnt&teauna a!&%&( e0i%nu$i "rin minte !7iar +i !n a !res!ut +i a n!e"ut s v&rbeas!es"re a%te %u!ruri.

n!er! a!um( n n0ri!&+t&ru% ntuneri! n !are se e+te"tase( s se '&a!e n! & at !ue%e. Timmy & "&rni e %a un mi%i&n. i "%!use nt&teauna a!est numr. Un unu !u +asezer&uri u" e%.

% mu%ti"%i! !u n&u sute n&uze!i +i n&u e mii( n&u sute n&uze!i +i n&u.3u%ti"%i! a"&i t&ta%u% !u n&u sute n&uze!i +i n&u e mii( n&u sute n&uze!i +i &"t.

*&ntinu a+a( numere%e mrinu$se +i &!u"n in !e mai mu%t s"aiu n !reier.

i t&tu+i se #sea n ntuneri!. n!er!a s se !&n!entreze numai asu"ra numere%&r(ne"ierzn ni!i&at !&ntr&%u% asu"ra t&ta%u%ui( ar bezna +i t!erea % m"resurau n!.A%un# !i0re%e n s"ate%e minii( %snu$%e s !ur#( +i( !u 'umtatea e !reier e%iberat

n!er! in n&u s es!&"ere une era +i !um a'unsese ai!i.!&a%a.:usese %a +!&a% nainte e a se e+te"ta n &bs!uritate. Era & +!&a% r#u. i "%!ea.

*ei%a%i "u+ti erau a"r&a"e %a 0e% e buni %a !i0re !a +i e%. Era & +!&a% sim"ati!( ntr$& !asmare( a+ezat "e & "a'i+te %ar# +i umbrit e !ei mai mari !&"a!i "e !are i vzuse Timmyvre&at.

*&"a!i !u %emnu% r&+u.Nu mai vzuse !&"a!i att e imen+i nainte !a "rinii s$% au! ai!i.

i ni!i nu avusese "rieteni. 8rieteni( a+a( !a e%( !are s$+i 0&%&seas! !reieru% ntr$un m&n !are a%i !&"ii nu & "uteau 0a!e.

A!um ns i se ntm"%ase !eva.*en!er! s$+i au! aminte. :usese n !amera %ui. *amera %ui e %a eta'u% trei. /&rmea. i

nainte e asta( a "%ns.8%nsese "entru ! i 0usese &r e mama( e tata +i !7iar e mi!uu% %ui 0ri&r( "e !are n

rea%itate nu$% "%!ea "rea mu%t.8%nsese "n a&rmise( ntrebnu$se a! a &ua zi e iminea % va ta!7ina !ineva

"entru ! izbu!nise n %a!rimi n su0ra#erie +i 0u#ise( "e s!ri( n !amera %ui( trntin u+a +inesn "e nimeni nuntru t&at seara.

A"&i( !nva n n&a"te( se trezise +i auzise !eva.*e auzise Timmy nu$+i aminti.Se !&n!entra mai mu%t +i i a"ru( 0&arte( 0&arte va#( & amintire. Un 7rit( !a a% btrnu%ui

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as!ens&r !are ur!a e %a eta'u% ni "n %a "atru.A"&i 6 nimi!;8n !e se trezise n ntuneri!.Se trezise !a s es!&"ere ! nu era( n !&ntinuare( nimi!.n!er! n! & at s a"u!e !eva !u mini%e( ar !&r"u% re0uz s rs"un- re0uz !7iar

s ne%ea# !&mana at e !reier.8ara%izat;ntre#u% su !&r" era "ara%izat;8ani!a strnit % a!a"ara !u & 0&r irezistibi%.


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John SaulUmbr

Et7an ni!i m!ar nu !atai!si s$% "riveas!.6 *e$i "as T&i "r&0es&rii te iubesc, nu$i a+aSentimentu% e a 0i res"ins % arse "e inuntru +i$i ause t&t sn#e%e n &bra'i. Et7an stri#

a"&i u" ni+te "rieteni +i "%e! 0r a mai arun!a & "rivire na"&i. J&s7 se %u"ta !u %a!rimi%e.O se!un simi & nev&ie arzt&are s ia & "iatr e "e '&s +i s$& arun!e ns"re Et7an. Sest"ni( +i vr minie n buzunare%e "anta%&ni%&r +i "&rni s se tras! "e strzi%e "r0uite s"reauntura e !%iri rs!&a"te e s&are !are se numea Een *&ns&%iate S!7&&%.

Een.*7iar +i nume%e &ra+u%ui era & 0ars. /es!&"erise( !u mu%t tim" n urm( ! nume%e nu era

e!t un b%u0 "ub%i!itar( #nit e vreun inivi interesat s "r&steas! %umea( 0!n$& s!rea ! ai!i e,ista +i a%t!eva n a0ar e !a!tu+i +i murrie. A+a !um se ntm"%ase !u?r&en%ana( es"re !are !itiser ! nu era e!t & mare bu!at e #7ea +i !are 0usese numita+a e vreun ne#ust&r( e mu%t "ierit intre !ei vii( !are s"erase ast0e% va etermina %umea sse mute a!&%&.

Bine ! %umea nu s$a mutat n Een( !7iar a! a!est %&! nsemna *a%i0&rnia.Ora+u% "rea trist a+a !um se simea J&s7. n tim" !e se a"r&"ie e +!&a% i tre!u "rin

minte s$& e"+eas! +i s se nre"te s"re aut&stra( a0%at %a !in!i mi%e traversn e+ertu%.:u tentat s 0a! aut&st&"u% +i s "%e!e a%tuneva. 8&ate %a L&s An#e%es( une %&!uia tai!$su.*e% "uin a!&%& sttea !n J&s7 a auzit u%tima &ar e e%.

Tentaia ur &ar !teva !%i"e. J&s7 intr n !%irea in mi'%&! a +!&%ii( #si !%asa&amnei S!7u%ze +i "trunse nuntru.

8i %a 0e% !a u%tima at !n a srit & !%as.Sttu a0ar "n n u%tima se!un "&sibi%. *n se stre!ur( n 0ina%( nuntru( s"ern !

se va s!ur#e ne&bservat "n ntr$& ban! in u%timu% rn( &amna S!7u%ze % re!un&s!u +i$irui un z)mbet %ar# +i va# ir&ni!.

6 Ei( ei( iat$% +i "e mi!u% n&stru #eniu.J&s7 se 0!u mi!( vr)n "ar! s is"ar "rin "&ea( ar &rina %ui n$avu ni!i & +ans s

evin rea%itate a+a !um nu se m"%inise ni!i una in ru#mini%e %ui aresate( e$a %un#u%tim"u%ui( "uteri%&r su"ranatura%e !are erau !u &!7ii "e e%. Asta a! e,ista vre& "utere e a!est0e%. /e!isese s se n&ias! e a!est aevr( im"us n 0ie!are s"tm)n %a !&a%a e/umini!.

8rivi re"t nainte. *ei%a%i !&"ii( t&i mai mari !u &i ani e!)t e%( se nt&arser s sez#)ias! %a e%. Nu avu nev&ie s se uite %a ei !a s +tie !are %e era e,"resia e "e 0ee.

Nu$% &reau "rintre ei.Nu mai &reau s a0%e ! e% %ua n&te ma,ime %a t&ate teste%e( n tim" !e ei "uteau !u #reu

s rs"un %a ntrebri.nainte n$a 0&st at)t e ru( ")n !)n a srit "entru "rima &ar & !%as( !u &i ani n

urm. Atun!i 6 %ui J&s7 i se "rea ! tre!use & eternitate 6 restu% !&"ii%&r erau e vrsta %ui

+i$i !un&+tea e & via. Avea +i un "rieten 0&arte bun 6 "e Jerry 8aters&n 6 +i nimnui nu$i"sa ! J&s7 %ua nt&teauna !e%e mai bune n&te in !%as. Jerry i s"usese e mai mu%te &ri5

6 *ineva trebuie s 0ie !e% mai bun. *e% "uin e bine ! tu e+ti a!e%a +i nu vre& 0at mut.*7iar a! avea numai &"t ani( J&s7 +tia ! & 0at e+tea"t nu "utea 0i mut.Atun!i a srit "este & !%as "rima at. 8n %a mi'%&!u% anu%ui urmt&r( Jerry avea un n&u

0&arte bun "rieten. J&s7 ns n$a #sit un a%tu%.*n ai n&u ani( un an nseamn mu%t. T&i bieii in n&ua !%as aveau e'a ami!i !u

!are s se ne%ea# +i nu v&iau( !u si#uran( un @bebe%u+@ "rin "rea'ma %&r.O vreme a s"erat ! va veni !ineva n&u n +!&a%. A s"erat e#eaba 6 %umea nu venea n

Een- t&i n!er!au s "%e!e e a!&%&.Srise a!um in n&u +i "u+tii in !%asa %ui erau !u &i ani mai mari e!t e%.8utea s$i simt 6 a!um( !n v&!ea "r&0es&arei i "enetra #nuri%e 6 !um % "riveau-

"utea s %e simt ura nbu+it.Le auzi murmure%e eza"r&bat&are !n +i ur seama ! e% nu a!&ra "r&0es&arei ni!i

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& atenie.6 Haie( J&s7( insist "r&0es&ara. i aminte+ti !u si#uran ata %a !are 0&rtu% Sumter a

0&st ata!at( nu6 12 a"ri%ie 1C1( izbu!ni J&s7. /&u zi%e mai trziu( #arniz&ana 0&rtu%ui s$a "reat +i a

n!e"ut rzb&iu% !ivi%.3urmure%e n!etaser( ar J&s7 simea "riviri !7i&r+e 0i,nu$% in t&ate !&%uri%e !%asei.*e era att e ru s 0ii e+te"t Nu era vina %ui ! mem&ra t&t !e !itea +i "utea rez&%va

minta% "r&b%eme e a%#ebr. Nu$+i 0%uturase mna n semn e is"re "entru ntrebare. Nu avea"retenia ! nimeni a%t!ineva nu "utea rs"une. n a0ar e asta( +i "etre!use ma'&ritateaverii !itin !ri es"re ist&ria Ameri!ii +i e a!eea i se "reau u+&are !7estiuni%e "e !are!ei%a%i e%evi nu erau !a"abi%i s ie es%u+eas!.

Avea s 0ie e!i un a%t an e nes0r+it "%i!tisea% n !%as +i !um"%it sin#urtate n a0araei.

*n sun !%&"&e%u% e "rnz( J&s7 +i 0!u e %u!ru !u #7i&zanu% "n !e restu% !&"ii%&r"%e!ar. Se stre!ur a"&i a0ar in ban! +i "&rni s"re u+. nainte e a evaa in !%as( v&!ea"r&0es&arei % &"ri5

6 J&s7;Nu se nt&arse. Auzi "a+ii #rei ai &amnei S!7u%ze #rbinu$se !tre e% "e interva%u%intre bn!i. *n i simi mna "e umr( avu in n&u a!ea &rin !a "&eaua s se es"i!e +i

"mntu% s$% n#7it.6 Am vrut &ar s$i s"un !t sunt e bu!ur&as ! te am anu% a!esta n !%asa mea 6

r&sti =ita S!7u%ze. tiu ! nu$i va 0i u+&r...nainte e a termina( J&s7 se rsu!i "e !%!ie +i & "rivi 0i,( !u &!7ii n%!rimai.6 Nu( nu +tii; 6 izbu!ni e%.D&!ea i tremura e em&ie.6 Nu +tii a! mi va #reu sau u+&r. i ni!i nu v "as; T&t !e v intereseaz e s

rs"un %a ntrebri%e a%ea ii&ate;

8ieru !&ntr&%u% %a!rimi%&r +i v&!ea i se rii!.6 Asta snt e%e 6 ii&enii( ii&enii( ii&enii;Smu%#nu$se e %n# "r&0es&ar( J&s7 se nt&arse +i se m"%eti!i "n n 7&%( !are( in

0eri!ire( era "ustiu( a"&i 0u#i s"re t&a%eta biei%&r( e %a !a"tu% !u%&aru%ui.*in!i minute mai trziu ie+i e a!&%& !u %a!rimi%e +terse +i 0aa s"%at( +i s!&ase un sus"in

e u+urare !n vzu ! nu e nimeni n 'ur. 3erse %a u%"i&ru% %ui( +i "use #7i&zanu%nuntru +i s!&ase e a!&%& "a!7ee%u% nve%it n 7rtie mar& !are !&ninea mn!area sa e

"rnz. *n 0u "e "un!tu% e a n!7ie !u+eta +i s!7imb intenia- b# mna n #7i&zan eune "es!uiMizerabilii, & !arte "e !are i$& use mama %ui !u & s"tmn n urm. Amir!&"erta5 avea un esen n!&n'urat e un !7enar "&%eit( e+i +tia ! nu era in "ie%e aevrat.

/e vreme !e +tia ! va sta n !antin e unu% sin#ur %a mas( "utea n!er!a s !iteas!

!teva !a"it&%e.A'uns n sa%a e mese( se a+ez %a rnu% 0&rmat n 0aa %iniei e aut&servire( mi+!nu$se

t!ut nainte "n !e a"u! & "un# !u %a"te( a"&i se nre"t s"re !asieri.6 Ei bine( iat !ine a venit; e,!%am Emi%y San!7ez( zmbinu$i !%ur&s n tim" !e ta,

a!7iziia biatu%ui. /e'a ntr$a +a"tea; Nu m$ar mira a! %a anu% & s ai %a %i!eu.J&s7 reu+i s ea in !a" a"r&bat&r( ntinzn mna s"re a "rimi restu% e %a ban!n&ta e

un &%ar "e !are i$& use !asieriei. *n i "use m&nee%e n "a%m( Emi%y se a"%e! ns"ree% +i$i +&"ti5

6 /a! te ne!'e+te vreun !&"i% s$mi s"ui( O.. Nu snt !7iar a+a e+te"i "e !t !reei( !&re!t

i 0!u !&ns"irativ !u &!7iu%( ar J&s7 n$& vzu. Se nt&rsese e'a( !u 0aa n 0%!ri(!utn in &!7i & mas #&a% n !&%u% !e% mai ne"rtat. Nimeni nu i v&rbi !t tim" e% +i!r&i rum s"re mas. Simea ns !um % urmreau t&i.

Se a+ez !u s"ate%e %a n!"ere( 7&trt s i#n&re restu% !&"ii%&r( +i +i es0!u "a!7ee%u%

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John SaulUmbr

"entru a$+i s!&ate sanvi+u% !u unt +i brnz( !e !&nstituia( invariabi%( "rnzu% %ui.6 tiu ! nu e "rea a"etisant. /ar i 0a!e bine +i e t&t !e$mi "&t "ermite( i e,"%i!ase

mai!$sa !n e% se "%nsese e m&n&t&nia mesei %ui.A+a ! % mn!a( zi u" zi( e %a un an +!&%ar %a a%tu%. i t&tu+i( astzi nu era e%&! si#ur

! va reu+i s$% n0u%e!e "e t&t.3u+! in e%( meste! +i n!er! s n#7it( ar mbu!tura se &"ri n #t. =eu+i s$&

ese"eneas! !u & n#7iitur zravn e %a"te. /es!7ise !artea +i n!e"u s !iteas!. Se!u0un !urn n "&vestea %ui Jean Da%'ean( !are t&!mai 0ura un set e !ane%abre in ar#inte %a "re&tu% !are % #zuise.

J&s7 nt&arse ra"i "a#ini%e. O!7ii si mn!au te,tu% +i ev&rau 0ie!are !uvnt. Simea!um % a!a"areaz in !e n !e mai mu%t "&vestea. /intr$& at( 0r vreun avertisment( !arteai 0u smu%s in mini. Se uit( sur"rins( n sus +i$% vzu "e Et7an =&eer !um i rn'e+te( inn!artea n a+a 0e% n!t e% s n$& "&at re!u"era.

6 *e !ite+ti( e+te"tu%eD&!ea bat'&!&rit&are i izbi auzu%.+i m"inse s!aunu% +i se rii! n "i!i&are.

6 E numai & !arte. /$mi$& na"&i;6 /e !eEt7an se ne"rt ansn +i inn !artea ast0e% !a J&s7 s nu a'un# %a ea.6 *e$& s 0a!i O s !7emi vreun "r&0es&r % bat'&!&ri e%.6 /$mi$&( se ru# J&s7. Ori!um nu i$ar "%!ea;=n'etu% bat'&!&rit&r a% !e%ui%a%t se "res!7imb n 0urie.6 Asta !ine & s"une mri e%. *rezi ! snt "rea tm"it !a s$& !ites!8strn !artea %a istan e e0&rturi%e zaarni!e a%e %ui J&s7 e a & a"u!a( Et7an &

es!7ise. Abia a!um rea%iz ! nu era n en#%ez.6 8e ra!u; i" e%. Amrtu% sta !ite+te n a%t %imb;6 E n 0ran!ez( #emu J&s7. Asta e %imba n !are e s!ris !artea. A+a ! mi$& na"&i(

binen!er! in n&u s a"u!e !artea( ar Et7an era "rea ra"i "entru e%. Biatu% mai mare %a"u! "e J&s7 e bra( strn#nu$% urer&s. /e#ete%e %ui %sar urme n !arnea "u+tiu%ui.*&"iii e %a !e%e%a%te mese "riveau t&i !&n0runtarea( ar nimeni nu s!7i vreun #est "entru a$% a'uta "e J&s7. ns"imntat(

J&s7 arun! & "rivire s%bati! n 'ur. *uta & 0a "rieten&as( !ineva !are s$% a'ute.Nimeni ns nu mi+!. n a!ea se!un +i u seama ! e !&m"%et sin#ur +i !eva nuntru%%ui se 0rnse.

6 Las$m n "a!e( !retinu%e; ur% e%.Smu!inu$se !u "utere( +i e%iber brau%. A"u! un s!aun( n!er!n s % azvr%e s"re

Et7an. A!esta se 0eri( "rinse s!aunu% e un "i!i&r +i$% smu%se !u t&tu% in mini%e %ui J&s7.

/es!ura'at( J&s7 b'bi !u mna %a s"ate( simi "un#a !u %a"te +i +i strnse e#ete%e n 'uru%ei. *n Et7an +i %u avnt "entru a$i zr&bi 0aa !u "umnu%( J&s7 i arun! %a"te%e n &!7i. Launa intre mese se strni un 7&7&t e rs %a veerea %i!7iu%ui a%b +ir&in "e 0aa 4ui Et7an +i!are n!e"use s se "re%in# "e !ma+.

6 4suse; ur%( !a a"u!at( Et7an. /e !e ai 0!ut asta6 /e !e nu m "&i %sa n "a!e i$& nt&arse J&s7.J&s7 se a"%e! re"ee s$+i rii!e !artea in ba%ta e %a"te n !are z!ea "e "&ea.n!er!

s +tear# %i!7iu% e "e "a#ini%e e'a zbr!ite( ar era "rea trziu. O "rimise !u mai "uin e &s"tmn n urm +i era e'a istrus.

6 Uit$te; i" e%. Uite !e ai 0!ut in !artea mea;Arun! v&%umu% u s"re Et7an =&eer. *n J&s7 era "e "un!tu% e a sri asu"ra biatu%ui

mai mare( in u+ se auzi & v&!e tunt&are.6 ?ata( terminai;Arn&% HGins era e "rea mu%t vreme ire!t&ru% instituiei !a s nu +tie !um s

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John SaulUmbr

!a%meze ra"i & is"ut e %a !antin. :!u un sa%t !r&inu$+i rum "rin mu%imea aunat n'uru% !e%&r &i biei. +i n0i"se mini%e #r&ase n umerii !&mbatani%&r.

6 A'un#e; Ai "ri!e"utJ&s7 tresri sub strns&area e#ete%&r ire!t&ru%ui( ar nu s!&ase & v&rb. Et7an =&eer

arun! & "rivire mni&as s"re J&s7.6 Eu n$am 0!ut nimi!; r!ni e%( !u v&!ea tre$murn e 0urie. E% a n!e"ut; N&i &ar

stteam ai!i +i e% a arun!at %a"te%e "e mine; 8rivii !ma+a mea; E mbibat;J&s7 es!7ise #ura( nmrmurit e am"%&area min!iunii( ar( nainte s "&at s"une !eva(

un a%t biat( J&se *&rtez( se a"r&"ie e Et7an. *ei &i erau ami!i.6 E aevrat( s"use J&se !u "rivirea n0i"t n &!7ii %ui J&s7( !a +i !um abia a+te"ta &

"r&v&!are. Et7an n$a 0!ut nimi!. J&s7 s$a tm"it. E nebun;J&s7 +i "%imb &!7ii e %a & 0a %a a%ta( s"ern !a !ineva 6 &ri!ine 6 s s"un

aevru%. /ar t&i "u+tii aunai n 'uru% %ui Et7an erau "rietenii a!estuia- &ar erau in a!eea+i!%as( nu 8e e%( t&i % urau e'a. O!7ii si !utar mai e"arte "rin !antin +i se 0i,ar n 0ina%

"e Jerry 8eters&n( !are se ur!ase n "i!i&are "e s!aunu% %ui( a0%at %a & mas e %n# "erete(n!er!n s urmreas! !&n0%i!tu% in !ea%a%t "arte a s%ii +i !&mentnu$% "entru "rietenii in

'uru% su.*u &i ani n urm( J&s7 0usese +i e% %a a!ea mas( a%turi e Jerry( 7%izinu$se %a 0ie!are#%um a ami!u%ui su. A!um( Jerry "rea ! ni!i m!ar nu$% &bserv. O!7ii %&r se nt%nir &!%i"( ar Jerry "rivi imeiat n a%t "arte. Sri e "e s!aun +i is"ru n s"ate%e mu%imii e!&"ii mai mari !are i n!&n'urau "e J&s7 +i "e ire!t&r.

6 Ei( !e ai e s"us % s&ma ire!t&ru%. A+a s$a ntm"%atJ&s7 ne#( amrt( in !a".6 Stteam %ini+tit( e unu% sin#ur( +i !iteam. Et7an mi$a n+0!at !artea +i n$a vrut s mi$&

na"&ieze.6 O7( Jeez( #emu Et7an. La !e a+ 0i avut nev&ie e !artea ta tm"it L$am ntrebat

numai !e !itea +i a +i n!e"ut s se str&"+ea!( a+a !um 0a!e mereu;

6 A'un#e; tun HGins.8rivirea in &!7ii ire!t&ru%ui % s&m "e Et7an s nu$+i 0&reze "rea mu%t n&r&!u%.*&ntinu( "&run!it&r5

6 =&eer( tu +i *&rtez & s !urai mizeria; :r !&mentarii; 3a!*a%%um( tu vii !u mine.J&s7 n!uviin in !a" +i nu s"use nimi!. S"+it( e% % urm "e ire!t&r( "re#tit e'a

"entru mu+tru%uia%a "e !are avea s$& "rimeas! "entru ez&rinea "r&v&!at.Era !%ar ! "rima zi e +!&a% a a!estui an era mai rea e!t "rima zi a anu%ui tre!ut. i

situaia nu avea s se mbunteas!.

2

6 O "&rie e !7i%i( 0r %a!rimi;Brena 3a!*a%%um auzi stri#tu% in bu!trie( ar nu "utu 0a!e mai mu%t e!t s ea

u+&r in !a". n!er!a s in "asu% !u !&menzi%e !e%&r "atru &ameni !are v&iau s serveas!"rnzu%. Nu$i "utea nvin&vi "e a!e+tia "entru starea ei nerv&as. Era ea e vin( !umva( !3ary$L&u se mb&%nvise n a!ea iminea( %snu$%e sin#ure "e ea +i "e Annette s sees!ur!e i t&tu+i nu servirea n!eat era e vin. n!er! s$+i in 0irea !n unu% intre

brbai s!7imb !&mana "entru a treia &ar. *n auzi( ns( v&!ea n!r!at e sar!asm a %ui3a,( !are v&ia s +tie a! nu asurzise !umva intr$& at( simi ! e,"%&eaz5

6 Te au( stri# ea. /ar n$am e!t &u mini +i &u "i!i&are.6 3ai mu%t e!t su0i!ient u" !um sntem servii "e ai!i( m&rmi un inivi.Brena strnse in ini +i nu s!&ase ni!i & si%ab in !uvinte%e !are i stteau "e vr0u%

%imbii. Se nt&arse +i se nre"t s"re bu!trie. 3ai avea numai "atruze!i +i !in!i e minute"n !n se va termina nebunia e "rnz. 8atruze!i +i !in!i e minute "n va #si( n s0r+it(

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John SaulUmbr

tim" s se a+eze +i s bea & !ea+! e !a0ea !a s$+i revin. *n tre!u "e %n# !asa e mar!at(n!e"u s sune te%e0&nu%. Brena % i#n&r +i !&ntinu s se e"%aseze s"re #7i+eu% e %a

bu!trie "entru a stre!ura !&mana nuntru +i a rii!a !e%e trei vase !u !7i%i( in !are n!ie+eau aburi.

6 La ra!u( Brena; mri 3a,. *rezi ! !%ienii +i &res! mn!area re!e6 n "rimu% rn( a! v&r mn!are nu vin ai!i; i nu te r&i %a mine; Nu snt $a%ea !u

!are s$i "ermii a+a !eva.3a, es!7ise #ura( #ata s$i mai arun!e & ra0a% e !uvinte( ar +i zise ! nu merit. @i

are re"tate@( re0%e!t Brena n tim" !e n!er!a s e!7i%ibreze mna stn#( n !are ineavase%e !u !7i%i( un !&+ !u "ine tiat 0e%ii +i & 0ar0urie !u brnz !e n!e"use e'a s sen#%beneas! 6 !u rea"ta n !are inea !astr&ane%e !u sa%at. Nu era ziua n !are s$& "resezi.

Nu u" a!ea iminea( !n a trebuit s$% !&nvin# "e J&s7 s se u! %a +!&a% +i !n aavut e n#ri'it +i !&%i!i%e st&ma!a%e a%e bebe%u+u%ui.

n rum s"re masa %a !are +i a+te"tau "rnzu% trei 0emei 6 !u !are Brena 0usese !&%e#e %i!eu !u ze!e ani nainte 6 ea arun! & "rivire n %in +i simi & !%i" ! se "rbu+e+te./e+i avea a!eea+i vrst !u 0&ste%e ei !&%e#e( "rea !u !e% "uin ze!e ani mai btrn. 8ru%( "e

vremuri & !&am bat e +uvie b%&ne( i se trans0&rmase ntr$& mas am&r0 +i murar( !earta e "ar! n$ar 0i 0&st s"%at e & s"tmn( e+i % +am"&nase e iminea( u" !eJ&s7 "%e!ase %a +!&a%.

8e 0a i a"ruser "rime%e riuri( e+i n$avea e!t &uze!i +i &"t e ani. =ea%iz brus!! nu 0usese e!t vina ei. 4n e0initiv( ea %uase e!izia e a se mrita !u Bu!G 3a!*a%%um( n!iua &bie!ii%&r mamei ei +i a%e tutur&r !un&+tine%&r. 8e atun!i ns Bu!G era !7i"e+ +i ear#u +i "rea tnr !a s va a%t!eva n a0ar e statura %ui 0rum&as +i e &!7ii %ui !"rui!u #ene %un#i. Avea s es!&"ere imeiat ! &!7ii a!eia nu s!"au ni!i&at vre& 0a r#$%a+ 6 sau !7iar mai "uin r#u.

La un an u" !e se ns!use J&s7( Bu!G +i$a %uat zb&ru%( "%i!tisit e Een( "%i!tisit e a"&m"a benzin +i a re#%a !arburat&are( "%i!tisit e ea. A+a ! a trebuit s vin s %u!reze "entru

3a,( %u"tnu$se s !+ti#e su0i!ient "entru ea +i J&s7.A"&i( a!um un an +i 'umtate( se !i&!nise( "entru "rima &ar e %a terminarea %i!eu%ui( e*7ar%ie /e!Ger( 0&stu% ei !&%e#. A !rezut atun!i ! "r&b%eme%e ei s$au terminat. *7ar%ie &0%atase( s"unnu$i ! nu arat e%&! a%t0e% 0a e !um era !u n&u ani n urm. 4$a "r&mis !$&ia +i "e ea +i "e !&"i% %a San :ran!is!& e nat !e i va ie+i & a0a!ere n !are era an#renat. Au

"%nuit s se !st&reas!. N$a avut ni!i & #ri' !n a rmas #ravi.8n !n %$a sunat "e *7ar%ie n San :ran!is!& s$i anune vestea !ea bun +i i$a rs"uns

& 0emeie. O 0emeie !are s$a &veit a 0i &amna *7ar%ie /e!Ger +i !are era n "&stura asta e+ase ani. i !are i$a s"us !( a! % v&ia "e *7ar%ie( era bine venit( e&are!e Brena era atreia tr0 ti!%&as !are sunase n u%timu% an "entru a!eea+i "r&b%em. Tremurn in t&aten!7eieturi%e( Brena a n!7is te%e0&nu% +i +i %$a s!&s in minte "e *7ar%ie /e!Ger. N$avea ni!i

un sens s$i s"un ! era nsr!inat. *n s$a ns!ut 3e%ina( i$a "us 0etiei nume%e 3a!$*a%%um( #ninu$se ! a! a!est nume 0usese bun "entru ea +i J&s7( "utea 0i %a 0e% e bun +i

"entru bebe%u+.A trebuit atun!i s$& %ase ba%t !u nt%niri%e +i s se "re&!u"e seri&s e "r&!urarea 7ranei.D&!ea Annettei i a%un# amintiri%e t&!mai !n a+eza u%tima !&man n 0aa 0&ste%&r

!&%e#e.6 *e e !u tine( BrenaAnnette avea un timbru "&run!it&r.6 Nu m auzi E Arn&% HGins %a te%e0&n +i vrea s$i v&rbeas!; A!um;*e%e trei 0emei e %a mas & "rivir ntrebt&r. 4nima Brenei btu mai tare. @Nu@( +i

s"use +i "&rni n 0u# s"re te%e0&n. @Nu n!. Nu in "rima zi. Te r@ /ar inima +i a!!e%erbti%e !n auzi v&!ea ire!t&ru%ui %a !e%%a%t !a"t a% 0iru%ui.

6 A%&( &amn 3a!*a%%um.*uvinte%e erau "%ine e resemnare +i s"uneau t&tu%.

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John SaulUmbr

6 O7( &amne; sus"in ea. *e a mai 0!ut J&s7 e ata asta6 A "&rnit & btaie n !antin( rs"unse HGins. 8retine ! n$a 0&st vina %ui( ! sttea

%ini+tit !itin & !arte +i ! t&i !ei%a%i %$au 7ruit.6 4ar !ei%a%i s"un ! e% era ntrtat( termin Brena n %&!u% %ui( +tiin e'a !e avea s

urmeze. S"erase ! u" bu!%u!u% e anu% tre!ut nu va mai avea "r&b%eme- ! urmn "&vaa!&nu!erii e a$% tre!e "e J&s7 ntr$& !%as su"eri&ar( biatu% va 0i su0i!ient e &!u"at(nemaiavn &!azia s$+i mani0este "%i!tisea%a n 0aa ntre#ii !%ase( stare #enerat&are e

"r&b%eme +i tu%burri. Ei bine( %a reveere a!estei s"erane.6 *re ! !e% mai bine ar 0i a! ai veni "n ai!i 6 & "&vui HGins. Nu v&rbe+te

e%&! +i re0uz s se nt&ar! n !%as.Brena s!rut mese%e &!u"ate in !a0enea( a"&i se uit in n&u %a !eas. % vzu "e 3a,

!um se uit mni&s %a ea in bu!trie. *n "riviri%e %i se n!ru!i+ar( e% i 0!u semn !u !a"u%!tre !&menzi%e !are s&seau mereu "rin u+ia e %a #7i+eu. Ea +i !ntri "&sibi%iti%e( a"&i7&tr.

6 /&mnu%e HGins( nu "&t veni !7iar a!um. Snt n mi'%&!u% mbu%ze%ii e %a &ra"rnzu%ui +i una in 0ete n$a venit azi. 3a, e e'a mni&s "e mine +i a! "%e! a!um & s m

!&n!eieze. Nu$% "utei u!e n bib%i&te! sau a%tuneva 3!ar "entru & &rD&!ea !"tase e'a & n&t "%n#rea. nt&arse instin!tiv s"ate%e z&nei n !are se serveamasa +i( im"%i!it( &!7i%&r is!&it&ri ai 0&ste%&r !&%e#e. /in 0eri!ire( ire!t&ru% "ru !$&ne%e#e. A"r&a"e sur"rinzt&r( % auzi ! e e a!&r5

6 n re#u%. O s$% in n bir&u% meu. n!er!ai s venii "n ntr$& &r( a Am & nt%nire!u aministrat&ru% +e0 a% +!&%ii +i n$am intenia s ntrzii.

6 3u%umes!( &mnu%e HGins. O s a'un# ntr$& &r a!&%&( v "r&mit.n!7ise te%e0&nu% +i a%er# s"re #7i+eu. Annette n!er!a s 0a! 0a ava%an+ei e !&menzi.

3a, era &!u"at !u #rtaru% "entru 0ri"tur +i sttea !u s"ate%e %a ea.6 8r&b%eme & ntreb Annette.Brena n!uviin( a"&i i se ares %ui 3a,5

6 Da trebui s m nv&ies! "entru & &r u" !e terminm !u "rnzu%. E$n %e#tur !uJ&s7...3a, i arun! & "rivire a!i. 8usese %a 0ri"t ni+te !arne "entru & uzin e 7ambur#eri.

Stre!ur %&"ti!a e a"u!at !arnea sub unu% in ei +i$% nt&arse !u & smu!itur brus!.6 *um se 0a!e ! are nt&teauna "r&b%eme !n e+ti e servi!iuBrena trase an! aer n "ie"t. Simea & a"ri# &rin s$i arun!e n 0a ! J&s7 nu avea

e!t ze!e ani( ! t&i !&"iii aveau "r&b%eme +i ! a!east !7estiune & a0e!ta materia% %a 0e% emu%t !a +i "e e%. @/ar( !ine +tie( "&ate vrea s$mi "%teas! &ra n !are v&i %i"si@( se #ni ea.@Ista a n!e"ut;@ 8re0er s ta!. Nu$i 0usese u+&r s #seas! s%u'ba asta- era +i mai #reu s#seas! a%ta.

Annette i simi is"erarea +i i zmbi n!ura'at&r.

6 Hei( ia$& mai u+&r. 8&i s %u!rezi &u &re mine sear n %&!u% meu +i asta nu i$&s"un "entru ! ba!+i+uri%e snt #rase %a "rnz. : !e ai e 0!ut +i %as$% naibii "e 3a,( bine

6 Bine( 0u e a!&r Brena( strmbnu$+i buze%e !n rii! a%t #ru" e !&menzi +i senre"t !tre & mas e %n# 0ereastr. Numai ! a$% a naibii "e 3a, nu era un rs"uns(

"entru ! nu e% era "r&b%ema. 8r&b%ema era J&s7 +i n$avea ni!i !ea mai mi! iee !e "utea0a!e.

La unu treize!i( ma'&ritatea mese%&r( mai "uin &u( se #&%ir +i 0ur rearan'ate "entrua&%es!enii !are veneau a!&%& u" +!&a%. Brena +i s!&ase +&ru% +i % atrn e unu% in!r%i#e%e in !a"tu% bu!triei( une se a0%au +i vestiare%e. O!7ii mereu mni&+i ai %ui 3a, &

"rivir !n ea "&rni !tre u+.6 Ai e #n s "%e!i !u uni0&rma "e tine

8a# 9


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John SaulUmbr

6 E v&rba numai e & &r( 3a,. /&ar nu is"ar t&at u"$amiaza s m u! %a ans...8rivi %a r&!7ia e nai%&n r&z !e avea 0usta "rea s!urt +i !&ntinu56 i a! m$a+ u!e( n$a+ "urta !7estia asta m"uit.6 @*7estia asta m"uit@ m$a !&stat !in!is"reze!e &%ari( #r&7i 3a,. i nu snt &b%i#at

s v au uni0&rme( s +tii. /a! "u+tiu% %a v&mit "e ea...6 O7( "entru nume%e %ui /umnezeu( 3a,; Nu "&i s 0ii &m m!ar "entru !in!i minute

J&7n nu se simte ru( e% e &ar...Ezit( !utn !uvinte%e "&trivite( ns 3a, interveni56 /a( a( +tiu. E "rea e+te"t "entru a$i 0i bine( nu *u t&ate ! a! era a+a e$a% ra!uK(

nva "n a!um s evite bu!%u!u%. S te nt&r!i ai!i ntr$& &r( ai ne%es6 O( re"%i! Brena.Lu re"%i!a %ui u%tim !a "e & a"r&bare e a nu$+i s!7imba 7aine%e. Se #rbi s"re u+a in

s"ate. *%ura t&ri & 0!u s trans"ire instantaneu( %i"inu$i r&!7ia e tru". Se stre!ur %av&%anu% ve!7iu%ui ei *7evr&%et.

3&t&ru% #emu es!ura'ant !n intr&use !7eia n !&nta!t. Brena n'ur "rintre ini.6 Te r( te r( murmur ea( rsu!in e !7eie & at +i n! & at +i rezistn tentaiei

e a a"sa "ea%a e a!!e%eraie "n %a 0un. 3!ar e ata asta( nu m "rsi. T&!mai !nbateria era "e "un!tu% e a muri( m&t&ru% tu+i brus! a"&i n!e"u s s0&rie.


11/200

John SaulUmbr

/u in !a" es!ura'at.6 /in ne0eri!ire( nu +tiu !e "&t s 0a!. T&i !ei%a%i % s"ri'in "e Et7an.6 /ar e rii!&%( izbu!ni Brena. Et7an e !u &i ani mai mare e!t J&s7. Are !e% "uin

ze!e Gi%rame n "%us +i e !u &"t !entimetri mai na%t. Nu$mi "as e a%te "r&b%eme "e !areJ&s7 %e$ar "utea avea( ar "r&st nu e. Nu s$ar bate !u !ineva att e s&%i !a Et7an;

3ini%e ire!t&ru%ui se es"rir ntr$un #est e ne"utin.6 n!er!ai s v !a%mai( &amn 3a!*a%%um. Nu iau "artea nimnui 6 "ur +i sim"%u

transmit !e mi$au s"us !ei%a%i !&"ii. Nu e "rima at !n "rimes! "%n#eri n %e#tur !u0a"tu% ! J&s7 se !&m"&rt vi&%ent 0r a 0i "r&v&!at. /in "!ate( sta nu e sin#uru% e"is& "e!are trebuie s$% is!utm m"reun azi.

Brena ezit. 4ni#narea i se mi!+&rase.6 Drei s s"unei ! mai e !eva ntreb ea.HGins +i mu+!a( stn'enit( buza e '&s.6 n tim"u% "auzei e "rnz a venit ai!i =ita S!7u%ze. Se "are ! a avut & mi! !i&!nire

!u J&s7 imeiat u" &re%e e iminea.Brena +i nt&arse &!7ii s"re 0iu% su. J&s7 se r&ti "e s!aun.

6 N$a vrut s m %ase n "a!e( se "%nse e%. /e 0ie!are at !n ntreba !eva m "unea "emine s rs"un e "ar! a+ 0i 0&st !ine +tie !e at&t+tiut&r. *ei%a%i !&"ii m "riveau +i v&rbeaues"re mine +i...

Se &"ri !n vzu su"rarea in &!7ii mamei sa%e.6 A+a ! ai 0&st ne!i&"%it !u "r&0es&ara ta +i ai arun!at !u %a"te%e n Et7an( nu A+a e6 Nu;6 Nu m mini( J&s7. Dreau s +tiu !e s$a ntm"%at.6 /ar i$am s"us( mami; N$am 0!ut nimi!; J&s7 "rivi e 'ur m"re'uru% !amerei( !a +i

!um !uta & "&rti e evaare. Brena % a"u! e brbie +i$% 0&r s se uite n &!7ii ei.6 Asta e aevru%( J&s7T!ut( J&s7( n!uviin. /u" & se!un( Brena %s mna s$i !a +i se nt&arse

n!eti+&r s"re ire!t&r.6 *e & s 0a!em 6 ntreb ea. A!e%a+i %u!ru s$a ntm"%at +i anu% tre!ut. Bi%% *&&%ey %evienia mereu "e J&s7 n 0aa !%asei( e "ar! t&i ar 0i trebuit s 0ie %a 0e% e e+te"i !a +i e%.

Nu era re"t ni!i "entru ei +i( !u si#uran( ni!i "entru J&s7.8e 0aa ire!t&ru%ui se !iti +i mai mu%t nea'ut&rarea.6 E & situaie i0i!i%( amise e% !u vit aversiune. /ar...6 /ar nu trebuia s$% srii in n&u "este & !%as( i tie Brena v&rba( mni&as. Trebuia

s$% %sai !u !&%e#ii %ui.HGins u( n!"nat( in !a".6 Nu e asta "r&b%ema; 8r&b%ema e ! nu avem ni!i un 0e% e "rrame "entru !&"ii !a

J&s7. !&a%a e n! "rea mi! +i resurse%e "rea %imitate.

Brena % "rivi int "e ire!t&r.6 i !e trebuie s 0a! S$% iau "e J&s7 e %a +!&a% Nu e vina mea ! +!&a%a e "rea

s%ab "entru e%.HGins se a"%e! %un e "e bir&u & br&+uri!.6 N$am s"us ! a 0&st vina umneav&astr( &amn 3a!*a%%am( +i mi !er s!uze a! s$

a eus asta in v&rbe%e me%e. :a"te%e snt ns 0a"te. Nu "rea mai "utem 0a!e mu%te "entruJ&s7 "e ai!i. E% are nev&ie e "rrame s"e!ia%e( e "r&0es&ri antrenai s"e!ia% "entru asta +ie !&"ii %a 0e% !u e%.

O!7ii si erau 0i,ai "e "r&s"e!tu% in mn( !are i s&sise !u & s"tmn n urm( ns&ite & s!ris&are im"rimat "e !a%!u%at&r +i aresat @"ers&na%@( n !are se su#era !a J&s7 s 0ieun !ursant a% +!&%ii es!rise n br&+ur. 4niia%( %e %sase e&"arte "e amn&u( 0iin si#ur !s&%i!itarea nu 0usese 0!ut e!t n urma rezu%tate%&r teste%&r e inte%i#en "e !are t&i !&"iiiin Een %e user "rimvara tre!ut. /u" in!ientu% in !antin ns stuiase !rti!i!a !umu%t atenie.

8a# 11


12/200

John SaulUmbr

6 *e vrei s s"unei *reei ! ar trebui( "ur +i sim"%u( s$mi strn# %u!ruri%e +i s "%e!n a%t "arte /ar !reei ! "&t a+a !eva i !7iar a! a+ "utea( une s m u! *um s#ses! +!&a%a e !are v&rbii

nainte e a !&ntinua( HGins i ntinse br&+ura.8r&venea intr$un %&! !are se numea A!aemia Barrin#t&n. 8e !&"erta e 7rtie era

im"rimat & s!7i a unui b%&! n!&n'urat e & "e%uz %ar#( "resrat !u "ini masivi. Brena"rivi u%uit esenu%( a"&i se uit %a ire!t&r.

6 *e e asta N$arat e%&! a +!&a%.6 Ni!i nu e( re"%i! HGins. E & instituie "arti!u%ar estinat !&"ii%&r ta%entai. Se

a0% n n&r %a...Brena nu$% %s s termine. Se rii!ase e'a n "i!i&are( !u &!7ii n 0%!ri.6 !&a% "rivat tun ea. /e une s iau bani "entru +!&a% "rivat Eu snt !7e%neri.

Nu "rimes! e!t sa%ariu% minim +i ba!+i+uri%e( iar n Een( nu nseamn mare %u!ru; /e !ns$a ns!ut 3e%ina a trebuit s a"e%ez %a 7ran in !&nserve;

:!u & "auz "entru a se %u"ta !u %a!rimi%e !e eau s +neas!. A"&i !&ntinu !u t&atemnitatea e !are mai era n stare5

6 O s am & is!uie !u J&s7 +i 0ii si#ur !( e a!um nainte( & s$i intre mini%e n !a".D$a+ 0i re!un&s!t&are a! i$ai 0a!e "e !ei%a%i !&"ii 6 +i "e "r&0es&ri 6 s se !&m"&rteast0e% n!t e% s nu se mai simt un "r&s!ris; Haie( J&s7;

Arn&% HGins sri n "i!i&are +i n!&n'ur ra"i bir&u%56 A+te"tai( &amn 3a!*a%%um. Trebuie s mai is!utm !eva. /a! v$ai !a%ma +i...Era ns "rea trziu. Brena( !u J&s7 e mn( era e'a n 7&%u% e %a intrare. O se!un(

HGins se #ni s se ia u" ea( ar e!ise a"&i ! starea 0emeii nu era "&trivit "entru a$imai s"une !eva. 8r&b%ema %ui J&s7 3a!*a%%um "utea s a+te"te- "re+einte%e !&nsi%iu%ui eaministraie ns( nu.

Brena !&nuse n t!ere e$a %un#u% "eri0eriei mizerabi%e a &ra+u%ui !tre !%irea"r#init n !are %&!uia. Simea su"rarea %ui J&s7( ar 0!ea t&t !e "utea !a s$& i#n&re. *nbiatu% v&rbi( +tiu ! trebuia s rs"un.

6 Nu trebuia s v&rbe+ti es"re mine !a +i !um n$a+ 0i 0&st a!&%&( r&sti e%.O se!un( Brena !rezu ! nu$+i mai "&ate ine %a!rimi%e. +i "use mna "e #enun!7iu%

"u+tiu%ui.6 mi "are ru( s"use ea. *re ! m$am su"rat "e &mnu% HGins a+a e tare ! am

uitat( "ur +i sim"%u( ! erai a!&%& +i as!u%tai.6 3 r( eram. i am auzit t&t !e ai s"us. i nu e re"t( mami. *7iar ! n$am 0!ut

nimi!.

Brena trase an! aeru% n "ie"t.6 Nu s"un ! ai 0!ut !eva( ra#&stea mea. /ar a! t&i !ei%a%i !&"ii...6 Snt t&i ni+te min!in&+i; r!ni J&s7( nemai$"utnu$+i n0rna mnia. *um e nimeni

nu m !ree Nu e re"t;B# mna n #7i&zan( s!&ase !artea "e !are & !itea n !antin +i n!e"u s$i smu%#

0i%e%e( una !te una. *&b&r #eamu% e %a "&rtier +i arun! "a#ini%e "e 0ereastr( n e+ert.Brena %e vzu !um zb&ar n s"ate%e ma+inii.

6 J&s7 *e 0a!i tii !t m$a !&stat !artea asta A trebuit s$& !&man t&!mai e %a L&sAn#e%es;

6 Nu$mi "as; stri# e%. Urs! !artea( urs! +!&a%a( i urs! "e &amna S!7u%ze +i "e&mnu% HGins( +i "e t&at %umea; Urs! t&tu%;

*u 0ie!are "r&"&ziie 0uri&as s0+ia a%t 0&aie in !arte +i & arun!a "e 0ereastr( "n !en!e"u s ru" mai mu%te &at( "r&u!n n z&na in s"ate%e ma+inii & 0urtun a%b5

6 i te urs! +i "e tine; i" e%. Urs! "e &ri!ine +i &ri!e;

8a# 12


13/200

John SaulUmbr

Brena se ntinse +i a"u! !e mai rmsese in !arte( & smu%se in mni%e !&"i%u%ui +i &arun! "e ban!7eta in s"ate.

6 Ei bine( ami!e( s +tii ! a!um nu snt "rea nr#&stit e tine ni!i eu.O se!un( se #ni s$i tra# & "a%m. A"&i "rivirea ei 0i, #eamu% "&rtierei in re"tu%

%ui. 8entru "rima at n u%timii &i ani era %ar# es!7is. 3i!a minune avusese %&!.J&s7 & "rivi !&ntrariat. Brena +i u !a"u% "e s"ate +i n!e"u s r n 7&7&te.4meiat ns rsu% i se &"ri. A+a !um era +i n&rma%( izbu!nirea nerv&as nu$+i #si a%inarea

e!t !n n!e"u s "%n#.3ira!&%u% #eamu%ui es!7is era "rea mi!. Avea nev&ie e unu% mu%t mai mare. /ar e

une "utea veni e%

3

Brena trase ma+ina sub +&"r&nu% "r#init in s"ate%e im&bi%u%ui une %&!uia. Se ntreb"entru a suta &ar a! era mai bine s !7eme "r&"rietaru% !asei "entru a ne"rta zu#rvea%a

!&'it e "e b%&! sau s 0a! un mi! a"e% %a v&%untariat "rintre tineri( !a s$+i v&"seas! sin#uri!%irea. Bi%% =&eer "utea !7iar s 0a! !eva !u #rinzi%e 7&&rite a%e +&"r&nu%ui 6 s "unni+te st%"i sau a%t!eva.

6 L&!u% sta e in0e!t( remar! J&s7( !a +i !um ar 0i !itit #nuri%e ei.6 Ar "utea 0i +i mai ru( i reaminti Brena. Snt mi%i&ane e &ameni !are nu au ni!i

m!ar un asemenea %&! n !are s trias!.Ur!ar s!ri%e "n %a eta'u% &i +i & %uar "e "asare%a s!%at n s&are s"re a"artamentu%

e %a !a"tu% ins"re su a% !%irii. L&!uina avea un mare in!&nvenient5 e+i avea 0erestre "etrei %aturi( t&ate trei erau n btaia s&are%ui. /u"$amiaza( "e %a &ra "atru( !amere%e %uau( nm& &bi+nuit( as"e!tu% !7inuit&r e !u"t&r n!ins. Brena !utase "este t&t & a%t %&!uin( arnu "utuse #si ni!ieri !eva mai bun 0a e !7iria "e !are & "%tea ai!i.

4ntr&use !7eia n br&as! +i es!uie u+a. :u u+urat !n vzu !a 3abe% HarMi!G(ve!ina e '&s !are se &0erise s stea !u 3e%ina n tim"u% &re%&r ei e servi!iu( i+i amintise s%ase ra"erii%e '&s. *u t&ate !a a0%ase ! ast0e% se "strase r!&are( n !amer era ntuneri!.Brena se use %a 0ereastra ins"re est +i u %a & "arte ra"erii%e. Lumina +i sunetu% as!uite meta% 7r+it & trezir "e 3abe%( !are m&ia "e !ana"ea( !u te%eviz&ru% zumzin n 0aa ei.

$ O7; i!ni 0emeia mai vrstni!.+i nbu+i un !s!at +i$+i rii! !a"u% semi!&n+tient.6 Brena; *e 0a!i...% zri "e J&s7( !are sttea t!ut n !aru% u+ii( +i$% !&m"timi56 O7( ra#; N$ai reu+it s tre!i ni!i m!ar e "rima zi/e+i tresri 6 !7iar +i &amna HarMi!G !reea( !u si#uran( ! venise a!as evreme

in vina %ui 6( J&s7 nu s!&ase & v&rb. 8n s a"u!e Brena s e,"%i!e !e se ntm"%ase(3e%ina( !are sttea n ar!u% ei +i "rivea te%eviz&ru%( & zri "e mai!$sa( se rii! anev&ie "e

"i!i&ru+e +i n!e"u s se smi&r!ie. Brena & %u n brae +i & strnse %a "ie"t.6 ?ata( #ata( iubita mea( & %ini+ti ea. 3ama e !u tine a!um. T&tu% e bine.3e%inei i se eran'ase "rramu% &bi+nuit( a+a ! n!e"u s &r!ie +i mai tare. Brena

se use !u bebe%u+u% %a 0ri#ier( s!&ase & sti!% +i "use !&ninutu% ei %a n!%zit.6 Stai '&s ai!i +i %as$m "e mine s 0a! asta( r&sti 3abe% HarMi!G( rii!nu$se n

"i!i&are. n "rimu% rn( n$ar 0i trebuit s ai"es!( ar +tii !um e !n ai vrsta mea.8&rni !tre bu!tria !are era &ar !eva mai mare e!t & s!&bitur n "erete%e su0ra#eriei(

ar se &"ri !n Brena !%tin in !a".6 3abe%( e !e nu$i iei !teva minute "entru tine 3 nt&r! %a %u!ru abia "este &

'umtate e &r.Asta era & min!iun( ar 3a, nu va &bserva a! ea avea s ntrzie un s0ert e &r.6 8e %n# asta( ai nev&ie s 0ii &i7nit a! vei avea #ri' e amn&i !&"iii n a!east

8a# 1>


14/200

John SaulUmbr

u"$amiaz.J&s7( !are se usese u" btrn n bu!trie( +i u &!7ii "este !a".6 Au( zu a+a( mami; Nu e !azu% !a &amna HarMi!G s vin na"&i. 8&t s am eu

sin#ur #ri' e 3e%ina.6 *7iar a+a % ir&niza Brena. Nu "&t s 0iu %ini+tit ni!i m!ar ! vei termina "rima zi

e +!&a% 0r a 0i at a0ar +i vrei s am n!reere ! & vei n#ri'i "e s&r$taJ&s7 !s! #ura +i +i simi &!7ii "%ini e %a!rimi( nt&arse s"ate%e ra"i !e%&r &u 0emei

!a s nu i se va urerea in su0%et.6 Nemai"&menit; murmur e%. /a! nu "&t 0a!e nimi! !a %umea( atun!i n$& s mi+! ni!i

un e#et "entru abs&%ut nimi!;O %u !u "a+i mari s"re 7&%u% mi!u( !e se"ara !e%e &u mi!i &rmit&are +i baia e %ivin#.

Se auzi & bubuitur !n trnti u+a e %a !amera "e !are & m"rea !u suri&ara %ui.

J&s7 se arun! "e "at +i$+i n0un 0aa n "ern.

Nu era re"t; Nimi! nu era re"t. Ni!i !e$i 0!use Et7an =&eer( ni!i 0a"tu% ! &mnu%HGins nu$% !rezuse( ni!i 0e%u% !um "r&!ease mama %ui( %unu$% a!as e %a +!&a%( nimi!./e !e nu i$au tras un +ut n 0un %ui Et7an E% n!e"use btaia; i e !e n$a vrut mama %ui s$%%ase s aib #ri' e 3e%ina Nu mai era mi!. O #r&az e !&"ii e vrsta %ui stteau a!as ntim" !e mmi!i%e %&r mun!eau.

3e%ina era e vin. Nu avea n!reere s$% %ase !u 3e%ina. Se rii!( uitnu$se !7i&r+%a "tuu% in !&%u% &"us a% !amerei.

Ni!i m!ar nu mai era !amera %ui. /evenise +i !amera 3e%inei +i "rea in !e n !e maimu%t ! e numai a ei. 8rivirea %ui mni&as mtur "&eaua +i se 0i, "e 'u!re%e%e s&r$si(m"r+tiate "este t&t. 8&ate ar trebui s es!7i 0ereastra +i s %e arun!e "e t&ate n "ra0u% instra. =ii! 'u!ria 0av&rit a 3e%inei( un ursu%e "e !are e% nsu+i i$% a%esese u" !e se

ns!use ea( +i se nre"t s"re 0ereastr( ns se rz#ni !n "use mna "e !er!evea.3e%ina nu era !u nimi! vin&vat "entru t&t !e s$a ntm"%at. Era numai un bebe%u+. /e !ear "ee"si$& Lu ursu%eu% +i$% "use %n# "erna in "tu( !a s 0ie a!&%& !n 3e%ina va 0i

"us in n&u n e%. nre"t a"&i !u #ri' "tura "este 'u!rie( ast0e% !a ursu%eu% s stea!uibrit a!&%&. i %s a0ar numai !a"u% mb%nit( !u &!7ii str%u!it&ri !are "ar!$% "riveau.

*urenia +i as"e!tu% n#ri'it a% "tuu%ui % 0!ur s se simt !eva mai bine. :r a!&n+tientiza( n!e"u s !u%ea# e "e '&s restu% 'u!rii%&r m"r+tiate.

Litere%e in a%0abetu% ei "reau a 0i "este t&t. Le strnse +i %e a+ez atent "e ra0tu% !areservea +i !a bib%i&te! "entru !ri%e %ui( +i re"t !utie e 'u!rii. Ls s"aiu "entru %itere%e "e!are nu %e #sise. *n termin( erau t&ate a!&%&( mai "uin * +i N. Litera * & es!&"eri sub

"at( iar u" mu%te !utri( #si %itera N nesat n "a"u!u% %ui. /u" !e %e aran'a "e t&ate( %u

& !utie mare e "uzz%e( "use %itere%e %a %&!u% %&r n !aru% '&!u%ui +i a+ez !utia %n# "erete.n!e"u a"&i s strn# esene%e +i !rei&ane%e !are inunaser( "ur +i sim"%u( s"aiu%.

/u" !e termin !u %u!ruri%e s&r$si( n!e"u !u a%e %ui. Era & aevrat auntur nne&rnuia%( !e um"%ea t&at "artea %ui e !amer. 3et&i!( n!e"u s s&rteze 0%ea!uri%e "e!are %e strnsese +i "use 0ie!are arti!&% a!&%& une i era %&!u%.

*n rii! & !ma+ murar e "e masa e %n# "atu% %ui( "rivirea i !zu "e !uitu% evnt&are( "e !are tat% su i$% trimisese anu% tre!ut re"t !a&u "entru ziua e na+tere.

Nu( nu anu% tre!ut. A!um &i ani.Anu% tre!ut n$a "rimit ni!i m!ar & !arte "&+ta%.A"u! !uitu% +i "rivi %ama. Se ntreb une era tai!$su +i !e 0!ea e%.+i mai amintea ! avea un 0iu "e !are$% !7ema J&s7 Sau avea e a!um un n&u 0iu( un a%t

biat( !u !are 'u!a base$ba%% +i "e !are$% %ua %a "i!ni!uri sau n a%te %&!uri une mer# taii !ubieii %&r

Lu!ruri "e !are J&s7 nu %e 0!use ni!i&at !u tat% %ui. Ni!i m!ar nu +i$% amintea "rea

8a# 1


15/200

John SaulUmbr

bine.i tre!u un #n "rin minte( ar se es!&t&r&si e e%. Ls !uitu% '&s( 0!n mai e"arte

!urenie./ar( "e msur !e !&ntinu !u aran'atu%( #nu% i reveni n minte +i n!e"u s$% &bseeze.

/u" !e "use u%time%e 7aine murare n !&+ +i atrn n !uier u%time%e !m+i( su0i!ient e!urate !a s mai "&at 0i "urtate( se a+ez "e "at +i arun! & "rivire "rin !amer.

A!um( ! era t&tu% "us n &rine( era sur"rinzt&r s va !t e "uin i revenea %ui. 8n+i ra0turi%e e !ri "reau a !&nine mai mu%te &bie!te e$a%e 3e%inei e!t e$a%e %ui.

8este "uin tim"( !n se va 0a!e mai mare( va avea nev&ie e un "at. *amera nu erasu0i!ient e mare "entru &u "aturi. /u%a"u% +i #arer&ba erau e'a "%ine.

O!7ii si se nre"tar n! & at s"re !uitu% e vnt&are e "e mas.% rii! +i$% rsu!i ast0e% n!t %ama s s!%i"eas! n %umina s&are%ui./e#etu% i atinse ti+u%. 8etre!use &re n +ir as!uin &e%u%( "n !n "utea tia 0iru% e

"r e "e mn 0r a %sa ni!i !ea mai mi! urm. 3ut %ama "e "ie%ea e %a n!7eietura mnii+i vzu !um !ae "ru%( es"i!at. /a! rsu!ea !uitu% & iee &ar( a"&i a"sa tare "e e%...

3intea i se um"%u e ima#inea sn#e%ui !are "u%sa in artere%e sa%e es!7ise.

/e !e nu+i "use ntrebarea n t!ere +i %s #nuri%e s$i "%uteas! n 'uru% ei.*ui i$ar "sa a! e% s$ar u!e3e%inei n ni!i un !az 6 abia a! era !&n+tient e "rezena %ui.

Ni!i tat%ui su 6 tai!$su % uitase e mu%t.Nu erau ni!i "rieteni !are s$i simt %i"sa.3ai!$saSe #ni %a ea mu%t vreme. ntr$un trziu( 7&tr ! era "&sibi% s$i 0ie &r e e% %a n!e"ut(

ar era si#ur ! viaa ei 0r e% ar 0i 0&st mu%t mai u+&ar. Nu mai trebuia s$+i 0a! #ri'i "entrue% +i "entru 0a"tu% ! nu @tria %a "&tenia%u% %ui@( !e$& mai 0i nsemnn +i asta.

Auzise a!east e,"resie t&at viaa( e !n a %uat "rima n&t n !%asa nti +i a !itit

!&mentariu% "r&0es&ru%ui in !arnetu% e n&te. *uvinte%e i rmseser s"ate n mem&rie5@J&s7 nu "are m&tivat s %u!reze %a aevrata %ui !a"a!itate@. *n a a'uns( n a!ea zi( a!as a!utat ne%esu% 0razei. /u" !e a es!&"erit semni0i!aia 0ie!rui !uvnt( s$a ntrebat !e &rise

"r&0es&ru% s s"un !u asta. E% "utea s s!rie +i s !iteas! mai bine !a &ri!ine in !%asa %ui;/e 0a"t( %a n!e"ut era sin#uru% !are +tia s 0a! a+a !eva. tia e'a tab%a nmu%irii !n !ei%a%invau abia s aune +i s s!a. /e !e nu erau su0i!iente n&te%e %ui ma,ime

3ama %ui i$a s"us ! t&tu% era n re#u%- "r&0es&ru% v&ise &ar s s"un ! J&s7 era mu%tmai e+te"t e!t !ei%a%i. /e atun!i n!&a!e a avut nt&teauna sentimentu% !( ini0erent !e ar0i 0!ut( nu era su0i!ient. Ni!i "entru "r&0es&ri( ni!i "entru mami. Ni!i !7iar "entru e% nsu+i. %a"u! 0uria. *e trebuia s 0a! Era vina %ui ! i "%!ea s !iteas! +i !un&+tea e'a t&atmateria "reat %a +!&a% i n 0ie!are an era %a 0e%.

@J&s7 nu %u!reaz %a "&tenia%u% %[email protected] e% intra mereu n bu!%u!( iar mama %ui era nt&teauna !7emat n bir&u% &mnu%ui

HGins "entru a is!uta es"re e%. *n se ntm"%a a+a !eva( nsemna ! mami nu "utea 0i%a %u!ru +i 3a, n$& "%tea.

Lama !uitu%ui %i!rea n %umina s&are%ui. ?nu% %u "r&"&rii./a! ar 0i 0&st m&rt.../a! ar 0i 0&st m&rt( n$ar mai avea ni!i & "r&b%em. Ni!i !u mami( ni!i !um s nu intre n

bu!%u!( ni!i !um s$i evite "e !ei%a%i !&"ii.N$ar mai trebui s se n#ri'&reze ! nu !&res"une a+te"tri%&r a%t&ra.i ni!i mami n$ar mai trebui s$+i 0a! #ri'i n %e#tur !u e%. Ar "utea s se u! %a %u!ru(

s vin a!as +i s se &!u"e e 3e%ina 0r a$i mai "urta %ui e #ri'. i !n 3e%ina ar!re+te( ar avea !amera numai "entru ea.


16/200

John SaulUmbr

i !7iar a! a( nu$% va a0e!ta "rea mu%t tim". i ni!i nu$% va urea %a 0e% e mu%t "e !tsu0erise n viaa %ui.

3na i se strnse "e mner. *u &!7ii %ar# es!7i+i( tre!u %ama "este n!7eietura mniistn#i.

4nstantaneu +ni & 0ntn e sn#e. Trans0er ra"i !uitu% n mna stn#.O se!un mai trziu( sn#e%e eru"se +i in mna rea"t.*iuat( nu urea e%&!./ar era mu%t mai mu%t sn#e e!t !rezuse.

Brena se trezi %a re!%ame. 8rivi !easu% e "e te%eviz&r +i$+i u seama ! ai"ise.Jumtatea e &r "e !are +i$& "ermisese( u" !e 3abe% HarMi!G "%e!ase( era "e u!.

3e%ina &rmea senin n brae%e ei. Brena se rii! n!et n "i!i&are. /a! era atent( &"utea u!e n "tuu% ei 0r a & trezi. /e$a!um J&s7 trebuia s se 0i !a%mat su0i!ient !a sre!e"i&neze s!uze%e ei.

Se e"%as t!ut s"re u+a &rmit&ru%ui !&"ii%&r( & es!7ise n!eti+&r +i "ara%iza n "ra#(+&!at e !eea !e vzu. J&s7( "a%i( sttea n mi'%&!u% !amerei. 8este t&t era sn#e 6 "e7aine%e %ui( "e "at( "e !ar"eta e "e '&s( !are in vere se 0!use mar& n!7is.

4 se "ru ! tim"u% s$a i%atat. 8er!e"u 0ie!are amnunt a% ima#inii in 0aa ei !u &!7iimrii e #r&az. *uitu% e vnt&are( !u %ama a!&"erit e sn#e( ntins "e "erna %ui J&s7.Lumina s&are%ui( !are s!nteia r&+ie in !auza un&r str&"i e sn#e( a'un+i t&!mai "e #eamu%0erestrei. *uttura "ierut in &!7ii %ui J&s7( e,"resia e u%uia% e "e 0aa %ui.

8re e & se!un !t & ve+ni!ie( mam +i 0iu se "rivir re!i"r&! !u #r&az. *ei !are v&rbi"rimu% 0u J&s7. D&!ea i tremura.

6 3ami 3i... 3i$e 0ri!.*uvinte%e avur e0e!tu% unui u+ re!e "entru Brena. bur s"re "tu( smu%se "turi%e !u

& mn +i & a+ez nuntru !u !ea%a%t "e 3e%ina( !are se trezise +i ur%a. 4#n&r i"ete%e 0etiei.:u#i %a J&s7( i a"u! n!7eieturi%e mini%&r "e rn +i i %e n0+ur zravn n "tur.6 A'ut&r; stri# ea. *ineva s m a'ute;J&s7 n!er! s se ne"rteze( ar ea % inu strns( %u"tnu$se !u "tura. n!7eietura

rea"t i s!" +i "e uni0&rma ei r&z s!" un 'et e sn#e. 4#n&rnu$%( ea % use "e J&s7 nbaie( "e 'umtate !rnu$%( "e 'umtate tr#nu$%. A!&%& arun! "tura ntr$& "arte +i n!e"us$i n0+&are mini%e !u "r&s&a"e%e mi!i( e 0a( !are s"nzurau %n# !a. Auzi u+a e %aintrare es!7iznu$se +i a"&i v&!ea btrnei !7emn$&5

6 Brena *e s$a ntm"%at Tu ai stri#at6 3abe%( sun %a 911( i" Brena. E J&s7; S$a tiat;3abe% a"ru imeiat n !aru% u+ii 0!nu$+i %&! %n# Brena.

6 /u" as"e!tu% sn#e%ui snt artere%e( r&sti ea. *7eam tu ambu%ana +i %as$m "e mines m &!u" e asta.

nainte !a Brena s s!&at vre& si%ab e "r&test( 3abe% & m"inse a0ar in baie +in!7ise u+a. =mas sin#ur !u J&s7( ea es0+ur "r&s&"u% e "e n!7eietura rea"t( % rsu!istrns "n 0!u & 0rn#7ie #r&as( a"&i "use & bu!at e s"un "e interi&ru% antebrau%ui.n0+ur strns #ar&u% &binut n 'uru% brau%ui "este bu!ata e s"un. Sn#e%e n!et imeiat s!ur#.

6


17/200

John SaulUmbr

!resttur.6 Une e bana aeziv i !eru ea +i J&s7 i ini!( t!ut( !u !a"u%( u%"i&ru% !u

mei!amente.*n n!e"u s$i bana'eze n!7eietura rea"t se es!7ise u+a +i Brena( %a 0e% e "a%i

!a +i J&s7( se zbtu s intre n s"aiu% strmt.6 O s 0ie ai!i n !in!i minute. E... e ru3abe% nu$+i ntreru"se mun!a +i r&sti56 Nu e att e #rav "e !t ar 0i "utut 0i. Arat mai ru e!t e n rea%itate. *n & s a'un#

sa%varea ai!i( "%e!i !u e%. Eu & s rmn !u 0etia +i & s$i au e mn!are.8rivi n sus +i vzu +&!u% +i "ani!a e "e 0aa Brenei.6 Ni!i s nu te #ne+ti s 0a!i & !riz( Brena 3a!*a%%um; 3i s$au ntm"%at !7estii

mu%t mai urte e!t a!easta +i nimeni nu m$a vzut vre&at "e "un!tu% e a %e+ina. /$i !uni+te a" "e 0a +i revin&$i;

*uvinte%e ure i ne"rtar Brenei s"aima. Se "use n mi+!are +i urm aut&matinstru!iuni%e ve!inei. *n s&si ambu%ana( Brena +i revenise +i era #ata s n0runte t&tu% !u!ura'. 3ei!ii insistar !a J&s7 s se ntin "e tar#a. Urmnu$i( Brena & stri# "e 3abe%5

6 Sun( te r( %a %&!a%( 3abe%; S"une$i %ui 3a, !a nu m mai u! azi.Nea+te"tn rs"unsu%( se #7emui n sa%vare %n# tar#a. Unu% intre mei!i trnti u+a.3a+ina emar e "e %&!( s!r+nin !u sirena vuin. Brena "rivi 0aa v%#uit a biatu%ui.

6 *e s$a ntm"%at( u%!eaa mea *e ai vrut s 0a!iJ&s7 & "rivi & !%i"( a"&i +i nt&arse &!7ii n a%t "arte.6 Am vrut numai s nu mai stau n !a%ea nimnui( asta e t&t( s"use e% !u v&!e stins.Brena +i u seama( "entru "rima at e !n % vzuse sn#ern( ! tieturi%e nu se

at&rau unui sim"%u a!!ient. :iu% ei( minunatu%( str%u!it&ru% ei 0iu e ze!e ani inteni&nase sse sinu!i.

Jumtatea e &r "e !are Brena a "etre!ut$& n 0aa !amerei e ur#en a s"ita%u%ui aurat !t & ve+ni!ie. A sunat +i ea %a !a0enea siminu$se u+urat !n( n %&!u% %ui 3a,( i$ars"uns Annette( !are a asi#urat$& ! sunase +i 3abe% +i i$a s"us s stea %ini+tit. 3a, zisese !

"utea s$+i ia %iber +i ziua urmt&are( a! avea nev&ie. D&ia !7iar s$i trimit & "%!intbiatu%ui. O "re#tea !7iar atun!i +i i "usese e &u &ri mai mu%te a%une e!t se &bi+nuia.

6 Binene%es ! a trebuit s b&%b&r&seas! e% !eva !a s se simt bine( ar( +tii bine( a+ae 3a,( n!7eie Annette. S nu te n#ri'&rezi e nimi!. /e nat !e "%e! e ai!i m u! %a tine+i "re#tes! !eva e mn!are. i 0r !&ntrazi!eri( a

n!7ise te%e0&nu% nainte !a Brena s$i "&at m!ar mu%umi.O se!un se #ni s$% !aute "e Bu!G 3a!*a%%um. =enun ra"i %a iee. Dzuse !u mu%t

tim" n urm ! &ri!e n!er!are e a a"e%a %a e% "entru a a'uta biatu% era s&rtit e+e!u%ui. Ni!im!ar nu mai +tia une %&!uie+te. /ebus&%at( se trezi ! 0&rmeaz numru% "rini%&r ei.A+te"t im"a!ientat s rs"un !ineva %a !e%%a%t !a"t a% 0iru%ui. Ei se mutaser in Een !u!in!i ani n urm( !n tai!$su e!isese ! era tim"u% s ia a0a!eri "e !&nt "r&"riu +i vnuse(n !iua &bie!ii%&r mamei ei( !asa( "entru a$+i es!7ie( n Te,as( un ma#azin e !a"!ane

"entru anima%e( ntr$un trziu( rs"unse mai!$sa( !are as!u%t n t!ere ist&risirea Brenei(a"&i s"use ! ea mereu !rezuse ! e !eva n nere#u% !u J&s7( a+a ! Brena n$avea e !e s0ie sur"rins.

6 3ersi( mam( r&sti( re!e( Brena. S!uz$m ! te$am eran'at.n!7ise te%e0&nu% +i u( ezam#it( in !a". ntr$aevr( nu trebuia s 0ie sur"rins. Se

mritase !u Bu!G +i !a s "%e!e e a!as. Se simea !u ei e "ar! n %&!uina a!eea nu maie,ista ni!i un "i! e umanism.

n!e"u s se "%imbe nerv&as n 'uru% s%ii e a+te"tare( meitn. Oare e a!eea 0!useJ&s7 #estu% *rezuse ! ei nu$i "as :usese nt&teauna a+a e #ri'u%ie !u e% t&!mai !a biatu%

8a# 1


18/200

John SaulUmbr

s 0ie si#ur ! ea % iube+te +i e mnr e e%./ar !e a%t!eva ar mai 0i "utut 0i *&"iii e vrsta %ui nu n!ear! s se sinu!i( nu

Binene%es ! nu; Ni!i m!ar nu se #nes! %a a+a !eva./ar J&s7 s$a #nit.Brena 0u abtut e %a #nuri%e ei e v&!ea unei 0emei. O s&r & n+tiina !$+i "utea

veea 0iu% a!um.Sttea n "at n !a"u% &ase%&r( !u 0aa a%b( !aaveri!. 8rea mai mi! e!t !ei ze!e "e

!are i avea. Ln# "at sttea un &!t&r( !are i rui Brenei un zmbet n!ura'at&r !n & vzu+i$i s"use5

6 Ti"u% sta mi!u !re ! a 0!ut mu%t mizerie( ar a! a vrut s$+i 0a! ru n$a "reareu+it. *teva z#rieturi %a 0ie!are n!7eietur +i ni+te bana'e "entru "ub%i!itate.

i zmbi %ui J&s7 +i$% mn#ie "e "r.6 /ata viit&are !n vrei s vii "e %a s"ita% s m anuni( bineSe nre"t s"re u+( &"rinu$se & se!un "entru a & "&0ti "e Brena n !abinetu% %ui(

u" !e avea s termine !u J&s7. A"&i is"ru +i ea rmase sin#ur !u biatu%. /intr$& at +iu seama ! n$avea ni!i !ea mai mi! iee !e si s"un. Se &"ri nemi+!at( uitu$se %a e%.

n s0r+it( "riviri%e %i se nt%nir.6 E... E+ti su"rat "e mine( mami ntreb e%.&a"ta %ui ns"imntat & 0!u s$i ea %a!rimi%e. tiu imeiat !e s 0a!. Se use a e( %

mbri+a +i$% strnse %a "ie"t.6 Su"rat "e tine *um a+ "utea s 0iu su"rat "e tine E+ti !e% mai bun 0iu "e !are

!ineva +i %$ar "utea &ri. 3 &are ! am 0&st att e ur !u tine astzi. /&ar !... O7(iubitu%e( &ar ! une&ri nu snt & mam "rea bun.

J&s7 i!ni( n!&n'urn #tu% mamei !u brae%e +i inn$& a+a e "ar! i era 0ri! s$i earumu%.

6 mi "are ru( mmi!&( s"use e%. Eu... Eu m$am #nit ! "&ate a! nu mai snt i va 0imai u+&r. Nu mai am ni!i un "rieten( nu %u!rez su0i!ient e mu%t %a +!&a% +i mi se "are ! nu

0a! e!t s$i ezam#es! "e t&i.*uvinte%e %ui i s0+iar Brenei inima. La!rimi%e n!e"ur s$i !ur# +ir&aie +i$% strnsemai a"r&a"e.

6 Nu( ra#u% meu( murmur ea. Nu e a+a. Eu te iubes! +i snt mnr e tine( +i nu !re! am s rezist a! i se ntm"% !eva( a+a ! va trebui s nre"tm t&at situaia asta( bine

O bu!at e vreme se inur strns mbri+ai( ntr$un trziu( Brena % %s n!et na"&i "e"ern.

6 3 nt&r!( i "r&mise ea. Trebuie s m u! s v&rbes! !u &!t&ru% un minut +i v&i 0iimeiat na"&i( n re#u%

J&s7 n!uviin +i reu+i un zmbet va#( a"&i n!7ise &!7ii. Brena mai zb&vi & !%i""rivinu$%( "%imbnu$+i &!7ii "e 0aa %ui( senin a!um. *n ie+i ns in !amer( temeri%e +i

n#ri'&rarea i !u"rinser in n&u su0%etu%.*um "utea s se in e "r&misiune *um ar 0i "utut s nre"te %u!ruri%e "entru J&s7(

!n abia "utea s$% 7rneas! +i s$% mbra!e/ar trebuia s e,iste & !a%e. Trebuia s 0ie.

4

S"er ! nu m$ai ne%es #re+it a!um !teva minute( zise =i!7ar Hasb&r&u#7.:i+e%e !u &bservaii%e mei!a%e asu"ra %ui J&s7 3a!*a%%um erau m"r+tiate "este t&t "e

bir&u.6 D r s %uai %&!( &amn 3a!*a%%um.i ini! !u un #est s!aunu% in 0aa bir&u%ui. n!e"u a"&i s ins"e!teze &saru% in 0aa

8a# 1


19/200

John SaulUmbr

%ui. *n se uit %a ea( &!7ii %ui a%ba+tri erau severi.6 n !azuri !a a%e %ui J&s7( eu snt !&nvins ! e ne!esar s a&"i & ta!ti! t&ta%

nea#resiv. /ar nu vreau s !reei( ni!i m!ar "entru & se!un( ! am n!er!at sminima%izez !e s$a ntm"%at.

Brena se "r&"ti mai bine n s!aun. Simi ! se e%ibereaz e tensiunea !are "usesest"nire "e ea in !%i"a n !are % es!&"erise "e J&s7 n !amera %ui. +i u seama ! 0!use0a "n a!um mai mu%t in instin!t. A!um( !n s"aima i se iminuase( es!&"eri ! tremurain !a" "n n "i!i&are.

6 Nu "&t !ree ! s$a ntm"%at a+a !eva( r&sti ea !u & v&!e !e era mai mu%t & +&a"t( !a+i !um se aresa sie+i. tiam ! era ne0eri!it 6 ai! ni!i m!ar n$a vrut s se u! %a +!&a%azi$iminea 6( ar am !rezut ! snt numai 0an&se%i%e &bi+nuite in "rima zi 6 +tii &ar!um e s 0ii ntr$& n&u !%as( !u a%i !&%e#i( a%i "r&0es&ri.

S"rn!ene%e &!t&ru%ui se m"reunar a mirare. *a atare( Brena n!e"u s$i e,"%i!e !umsrise J&s7 "este & !%as "entru a &ua &ar +i !t e i0i!i% i era s se simt att e mi! +i !&"i%

"rintre !&%e#i +i !t e !ruzi "uteau 0i une&ri !&"iii mai mari. i !t e n#ri'&rat era "entru e%.A"&i i veni & iee n#r&zit&are.

6 Da trebui s$% trimit e ai!i( &!t&re Hasb&r&u#7 6 +&"ti ea. Dreau s s"un( %a uns"ita% sau a+a !eva/&!t&ru% "u0ni +i rii! m"!iuit&r mna.6 Ei( 7aiei s nu ne "ierem !u 0irea( bine /e&!amat a+ vrea s$% in ai!i "este

n&a"te !a s$% "&t su"rave#7ea +i s n!er! s a0%u !um se simte. 3$ar a'uta en&rm s a0%u !es$a "etre!ut !u e% n u%time%e zi%e.

n urmt&are%e !in!is"reze!e minute Brena reu+i s n'#7ebeze & ist&rie a !e%&rntm"%ate n a!ea zi. =s"unse nerv&as ntrebri%&r "re!ise a%e &!t&ru%ui %e#ate e "urtarea

"u+tiu%ui in u%time%e zi%e a%e va!anei e var. n!7eie !u un sus"in56 T&t !e v "&t s"une e ! n$a vrut s se rent&ar! %a +!&a%. /ar !ei mai mu%i "u+ti e

vrsta %ui se !&m"&rt %a 0e%( nu

ntrebarea suna !a & ru#minte( !a +i !um i !erea &!t&ru%ui s$i 0urnizeze & &va !J&s7 nu era nebun.6 E7ei( eu unu% n$am vrut !u si#uran s m nt&r! %a +!&a% !n aveam ze!e ani( 0u e

a!&r Hasb&r&u#7.mbetu% n!ura'at&r +i 0!use in n&u %&! "e 0aa %ui.6 i in !eea !e mi$ai s"us nu mi se "are ! '&a!a %ui J&s7 !u !uitu% a 0&st "remeitat.

3ai e#rab( a 0&st 0&arte su"rat "e t&at %umea +i 0uri&s "e umneav&astr- a+a ! a #sit &!a%e s v atra# atenia.

Brena rsu0% an!. U+urarea ur ns &ar & se!un.6 /ar !e nseamn astaUn n&u #n n#r&zit&r i ea tr!&a%e.

6 Da... ar "utea s n!er!e in n&uO bun bu!at e vreme &!t&ru% t!u( "ar! ezitn s$i s"un aevru%.6 Nu +tiu 6 r&sti e% n 0ina%. /ar mie mi se "are ! trebuie s #sim ni+te rs"unsuri

"entru e%.:&%&si e%iberat "r&nume%e @n&i@ +i rsu0% u+urat !n & vzu ! are & u+&ar re%a,are( !a

+i !um 0a"tu% ! nu mai era sin#ur n 0aa "r&b%eme%&r %e 0!ea "e a!estea mai u+&r erez&%vat. /es!&"erise e'a ! Brena 3a!*a%%um nu avea "e nimeni !ruia s i se areseze +is !ear a'ut&r 6 ni!i "rini%&r ei +i( !u si#uran( ni!i 0&stu%ui ei s&. Era %a 0e% e %im"ee !+!&a%a in Een nu "utea 0i e a'ut&r. Sus"i!iunea i 0u !&n0irmat !n & ntreb !e &s0tuiser !ei e %a +!&a%.

6 Asta e e %a &mnu% HGins 6 remar! Brena( s!&n in #eant br&+ura "e !arei$& use ire!t&ru%.

6 4at marea %ui iee.8use br&+ura "e bir&u.

8a# 19


20/200

John SaulUmbr

6 D vine a !ree *um a+ "utea s$% trimit "e J&s7 ntr$un ast0e% e %&!+i m"reun mini%e n!et( "entru a %e !&ntr&%a tremuru% 6 nu +tia a! a!easta se at&ra

0ri!ii sau su"rrii 6 &bservnu$%( nerv&as( "e &!t&r !um stuiaz br&+ura. =i!7arHasb&r&u#7 nu 0!u ni!i & remar! %a s0r+it( !i se mu%umi s ea meitativ in !a". Brena%u #estu% !a "e & a"r&bare a "r&"riu%ui ei rai&nament.

6 E & "r&stie( nuHasb&r&u#7 "rivi s"re ea.6 8r&stie Nu( e%&!.Brena amui( "ierut.6 Drei s s"unei ! avei !un&+tin es"re a!est %&!6 /esi#ur. E ata+at universitii %a !are a nvat nevasta mea. Oat a %u!rat +i ea !u

!&"iii e a!&%&. A "reat !7iar +i !teva %e!ii e art.6 i !t !&st ntreb Brena. tii !umvaOri!e sum ar 0i meni&nat e% era "este "uteri%e ei.6 /a! J&s7 e amis( "r&babi% ! nu va !&sta nimi!( rs"unse Hasb&r&u#7. A!east

a!aemie n$a 0&st n0iinat "entru a 0a!e bani. Lu!reaz n !&&"erare !u universitatea !are i

stuiaz "e !&"ii n! e %a a!east vrst.E,"resia e "e 0aa Brenei tra s!e"ti!ismu%.6 Drei s s"unei ! e un 0e% e %ab&rat&r +i$i 0&%&ses! "e !&"ii "e "&st e !&baiEra rnu% &!t&ru%ui s 0ie sur"rins.6 Ni!i "e e"arte; rs"unse e% ra"i. /e 0a"t( a!&%& e !a ntr$& 0ami%ie. /e+i !&"iii snt

&bservai( ei ni!i m!ar nu$+i au seama e asta.Brena es!7ise #ura s ntrebe !eva( ar Hasb&r&u#7 & &"ri !u un #est a% minii.6 As!u%tai( nainte s is!utm mai mu%te "e mar#inea a!estei !7estiuni( %sai$m s

au ni+te te%e0&ane. *un&s! !iva &ameni e a!&%&. Haiei s veem !are e situaia a!tua%.S$ar "utea s nu mai aib ni!i un %&! is"&nibi%( u" !um este "&sibi% s nu 0ie "re#tii s$%e,amineze "e J&s7. /ar merit & n!er!are.

Brena rmase nemi+!at. Nu mai nrznea ni!i s res"ire. n mintea ei era un ta%me+$ba%me+5 ima#ini a%e 0iu%ui ei n!7is ntr$& !amer intr$un s"ita% "si7iatri!- sau ter&rizat e!&%e#ii e +!&a%. /ar &ri!e s$ar 0i ntm"%a n a!est %&! n&u nu "utea 0i mai ru e!t a%ta%ternativ.

/u rumu% aeru%ui in "%mni( b%&!ai in!&n+tient e s"aim.6 /a( a"r&b. *re ! e !e% mai bine s v&rbes! a!&%&.

4niia%( !amera n !are sttea Hi%ie ramer %a bir&u% ei 0usese una in mi!i%e n!"eri e"rimire a%e b%&!u%ui !e a"&stea A!aemia Barrin#t&n. Se strmb !n a"r&"ie buze%e "e

!a0eaua( re!e !a #7eaa( in !ea+!a e %n# te%e0&n. 8use !ana '&s +i arun! & "rivire a0arbu!urnu$se( !a nt&teauna( e "rive%i+tea "a+ni! a "a'i+tei %ar#i "e !are !re+teau eu!a%i"i +i"ini. Nu savura ima#inea e!t !teva se!une. Trebuia s reva u%tima &ar materia%u%es"re J&s7ua 3a!*a%%um( !are$i s&sise "rin 0a, n u"$amiaza "re!eent +i n a!eaiminea. Avea t&ate &sare%e re0erit&are %a e%( n!e"n !u "eri&aa !n 0usese %a #rini.Avea +i rezu%tate%e i0erite%&r teste %a !are 0usese su"us e$a %un#u% ani%&r.

/u" ea( @su"us@ era !e% mai nimerit !uvnt "entru a!e%e teste. /e !n era membr ae!7i"ei e %a a!aemie( es!&"erise ! t&ate e,"eriene%e( menite s ms&are !&e0i!ientu% einte%i#en +i a!umu%are( eau numai & eva%uare re%ativ a !a%iti%&r rea%e a%e !&"i%u%ui.


21/200

John SaulUmbr

/is!utabi%. Nu s"uneau ns nimi!( ni!i&at( es"re aevratu% #eniu.*u t&ate astea( era evient ! J&s7 3a!*a%%um era un e%ev su"ra&tat +i( 'ue!in u"

&sare%e in 0aa ei( !are merseser mu%t mai e"arte e!t "rimu% 4.. !e & 0!use s trimit &br&+ur %a Een *&ns&%iate S!7&&%( !a"abi% s rez&%ve !&n!&mitent "r&b%eme. :r a$% 0int%nit m!ar( era si#ur ! era un "u+ti r&s e !uri&zitate +i "%i!tisit e m&arte n a!e% &r+e%uitat e %ume.

i a!um( in !ine +tie !e m&tive( is"erarea % m"insese "n %a sinu!iere.8e s!urt( era e,a!t #enu% e !&"i% "entru !are 0usese n0iinat a!aemia.8rivi %a !easu% n!&r"&rat n &rnamentu% e%e#ant e nu! e "e bir&u% ei. *urn trebuia s

s&seas!( "entru interviu% 0ina%( ns&it e "rini( & a%t virtua% e%ev( & 0eti e ze!e ani(!are se numea Amy *ar%s&n. H&tr ! are su0i!ient tim" %a is"&ziie s v&rbeas! !u =i!7arHasb&r&u#7. :&rm numru% +i n!e"u s bat !u e#ete%e n %emnu% bir&u%ui !t a+te"t s$i0ie at %e#tura.

6 Ai!i e Hi%ie ramer( &!t&re Hasb&r&u#7 6 n!e"u ea 0r a se 0&rma%iza s$% sa%ute.Am ni+te ntrebri n %e#tur !u J&s7ua 3a!*a%%um. 8rima5 a v&rbit !u vreun "si7&% e!n a avut a!!ientu% A &ua5 !t va mai trebui s stea n s"ita%

n tim" !e &!t&ru% in Een i rs"unea( eterminn$& "e Hi%ie s$+i 0a! !tevansemnri "e mar#inea &sare%&r "u+tiu%ui( u+a bir&u%ui ei se es!7ise( %sn s intre "e :ranG+i 3ar#aret *ar%s&n( m"reun !u 0ii!a %&r. *n & vzur ! v&rbe+te %a te%e0&n( 0!ur un "asna"&i( !u intenia e a nu eran'a. Hi%ie %e 0!u semn !u mna s intre( invitnu$i( "rintr$un#est( s se a+eze "e !ana"eaua e %n# "erete. *teva !%i"e mai trziu( !ei trei *ar%s&n sea%iniar "e s&0a( !u Amy %a mi'%&!. Hi%ie vzu ! era & !&"i% subirati!( !u "ru% r&+u +i&!7e%ari r&tunzi !u %enti%e #r&ase( !&!&ai "e un nas !rn. 8rea a 0i nu numai s"eriat( !i e$are"tu% ns"imntat( ar +i su"rat. Hi%ie i zmbi !%ur&s( ar 0aa 0etiei rmasen#7eat.

6 8&ate s "%e!e( ntr$aevr( &ri!n ntreb ea %a te%e0&n.A"arent( tentativa biatu%ui e sinu!iere nu 0usese 0&arte seri&as- !e% "uin a+a !reeau

&!t&rii in Een.6 *reei ! mama %ui va "utea s$% au! ai!i smbt Att eu( !t +i &!t&ru% En#ers&%!reem ! e un !aniat e "rim mn "entru a!aemie( ar binene%es( nu %um & e!izie0ina% "n !e nu v&rbim !u biatu% +i nu 0a!em & eva%uare "r&"rie.

As!u%t un m&ment( a"&i re%u56 Nu( nu e !7iar #rab. 3ai avem ni+te %&!uri %ibere anu% a!esta. /a! +tim ! & s vin

e vineri n!&%&( & s 0a!em t&ate aran'amente%e ne!esare.i transmise se!( t&ate !e%e bune &!t&ru%ui +i n!7ise te%e0&nu%. Aun a"&i %a un %&! t&ate

&sare%e %ui J&s7 +i %e ur bun venit !e%&r trei *ar%s&n. 4 se ares mai mu%t 0etiei( !are +iusese( e0ensiv( #enun!7ii %a "ie"t n!&n'urnu$ !u brae%e.

Hi%ie se rii! e %a bir&u +i n#enun!7e n 0aa !&"i%ei( !a s$& "riveas! ire!t n &!7i. O

ntreb56 /e !e am eu senzaia ! nu te bu!uri s m vezi %a 0e% e mu%t "e !t m bu!ur eu6 8entru ! nu m bu!ur e%&! s te v; izbu!ni( s0it&are( Amy.:aa sa !"tase un ri!tus !are em&nstra "er0e!t teama !e n!e"use s$& !&"%e+eas!. Amy

era n0ri!&+at e iminea e !n se s!u%ase.6 Nu vreau s vin ai!i; Dreau s m u! a!as;n!er! in rs"uteri s$& "riveas! "e Hi%ie( ar &!7ii n!e"ur s$i n&ate n %a!rimi. i

n!7ise brus!. Nu v&ia s 0ie vzut "%n#n.6 Ei bine( nu te !&namn( 0u e a!&r Hi%ie. /a! ar 0i n!er!at !ineva s m trimit

e"arte( %a & a%t +!&a%( !n aveam ze!e ani( a+ 0i re0uzat( "ur +i sim"%u( s m u!. 3$a+ 0i%u"tat att e mu%t !u inii +i !u #7eare%e n!t "rinii mei nu mi$ar mai 0i "r&"us ni!i&ata+a !eva.

D&rbe%e & uimir "e Amy. /es!7ise in n&u( inv&%untar( &!7ii.6 A+a ai 0i 0!ut ntreb ea !u & min nen!rezt&are( !a +i !um bnuia & !a"!an.

8a# 21


22/200

John SaulUmbr

6 Binene%es ! a( !&ntinu Hi%ie.Se rii! n "i!i&are. E0&rtu% & 0!u s$+i au! aminte ! trebuie s ea '&s !teva

Gi%rame.6 i nu eram att e inte%i#ent "e !t e+ti tu. /a! te$ai rz#nit( !um e n$ai ima#inat

!eva !are s$i etermine "e "rinii ti s te %ase a!as /a! eu a+ 0i "utut( nu "&t !ree ! n$ai 0i "utut +i tu;

6 3 r( am n!er!at( re!un&s!u Amy 0r s se #neas!. 3$am n!uiat !7iar nu%a"( ar mami mai avea & !7eie.

6 N$ai 0&st "rea e+tea"t( remar! Hi%ie. /a! vrei s te n!7izi n u%a"( 0iint&teauna si#ur ! ai %uat !u tine t&ate !7ei%e.

Amy %s brae%e( m&a%e( n '&s( "unnu$+i in n&u t%"i%e "ant&0i%&r "e !&v&r. 8uin maiestins( n !&%uri%e buze%&r sa%e mi'i un zmbet. +i "%imb mna "rin !as!aa e +uvier&+ieti!e e "r.

6 3$am #nit e'a %a asta( amise ea. /ar tati m$a ameninat ! s!&ate u+a inba%ama%e.

6 O7( !7iar a+a Ei bine( atun!i vin& +i uit$te %a asta.

Hi%ie se use %a u%a"u% e "e "erete%e &"us. /u" !e ezit & 0ra!iune e se!un( Amyse rii! +i se use u" ea.6 Seamn !u u%a"u% in !amera ta & ntreb Hi%ie.Amy stuie u+a 0urniruit +i rama in %emn e nu! 0rum&s s!u%"tat +i n!uviin56 Nu e !7iar att e 0rum&s( ar seamn estu% e mu%t.6 Atun!i uit$te %a ba%ama%e +i s"une$mi !e se ntm"% a! 0&rezi !uie%e ba%ama%e%&r.8u0nin( Amy se trase mai a"r&a"e +i stuie & !%i" ba%ama%e%e( a"&i e,amina !r"tura

"e !ea%a%t "arte.6 Nu "&i s$& s!&i( anun ea n 0ina%. *7iar a! es0a!i !uie%e( u+a nu se es"rine

e!t a! e es!uiat.6 :&arte bine( & 0e%i!it Hi%ie. 4at e !e ai!i nu avem br&a+te "e u+i%e u%a"uri%&r. Nu

"utem %sa !&"ii !a tine s se n!uie nuntru +i s ne 0&reze s s"ar#em !aru% in 0a a% u+ii(nu A!um !e ai zi!e s mer#em +i s arun!m & "rivire n !amera taLu mna 0etiei +i & !&nuse a0ar in bir&u( 0!nu$%e semn "rini%&r s %e urmeze.

4#n&r as!ens&ru% em&at( a !rui &rnamentaie r&manti! 0as!ina "e t&i bieii ina!aemie( +i travers 7&%u% %ar#( "n %a "rima trea"t a s!rii !are u!ea %a eta'u% &i ntr$&!urb #rai&as. E,"resia e "e 0aa %ui Amy era su0i!ient "entru Hi%ie5 #7i!ise "re0erina0etiei "entru s!ri( n etrimentu% !u+tii zbrnit&are a %i0tu%ui. *u "rinii n s"ate( & z&ri "es!ri "n %a eta'u% &i( a"&i( "e & a%t s!ar( "n %a eta'u% trei( une se a0%au ze!e !amere( !te!in!i "e 0ie!are "arte a !&ri&ru%ui !e traversa ntrea#a %un#ime a im&bi%u%ui. La 'umtateaa!estuia( Hi%ie es!7ise & u+ +i se u %a & "arte "entru a & %sa "e Amy s "+eas! "rimanuntru. :ata se &"ri n "ra#( +i vr numai !a"u% nuntru( sus"i!i&as !a +i !um ar 0i ne%es

!( a! ar 0i 0!ut un "as n "%us( ar 0i nsemnat ! a!!e"t s rmn a!&%&.Se z#i %a %u!arna a0%at vizavi e u+5 avea "e "ervaz & "erni( iar ra"erii%e !u m&e%e

0%&ra%e %umin&ase erau ate %a & "arte "entru a %sa s&are%e s inune !amera. 8ereii !amereierau a!&"erii !u un ta"et !u mu#uri e trana0iri( !e se "&trivea "er0e!t !u m&e%u% e "era"erii. Ln# un "erete( se a0%a & s&mier n!r!at !u "ernie. Dizavi e "at era & %a !usertare( un mi! bir&u +i un set e ra0turi( ntr$un !&%( !u u+a ntrees!7is( se a0%a un u%a".

:r a se #ni( Amy se nre"t s"re u%a" +i i e,amina n!uiet&area.6 ntr$aevr( nu are br&as!( !&nstat ea( mai mu%t "entru sine.6 Te$a+ 0i minit eu ntreb Hi%ie.6 /ar !e 0a! a! am !eva "e !are vreau s$% as!un se interes Amy.=ea%iz imeiat im"%i!aia ntrebrii( a+a ! se !&re!t56 Ai!( a! m 7&trs! s rmn.6 *e$ar 0i s 7&trm !um vei "r&!ea %a tim"u% "&trivit i "r&"use Hi%ie. /e!i( !e

!rezi( Amy i "%a!e

8a# 22


23/200

John SaulUmbr

6 E... e r#u( amise ea. /ar...Se nt&arse s"re mama ei !u &!7ii in n&u n %a!rimi.6 *7iar trebuie s rmn ai!i( mami se ru# ea( a%er#n s$& !u"rin e mi'%&! "e

mai!$sa. /e !e nu "&t s mer# a!as3ar#aret *ar%s&n & btu u+&r "e Amy !u "a%ma "e s"ate. 8rivirea ei n#ri'&rat se

n!ru!i+a !u zmbetu% n!ura'at&r a% %ui Hi%ie. S"use56 /ar( ra#a mea( nu mai e"arte e!t ieri erai teribi% e em&i&nat e venirea ta ai!i.

Nu$i aminte+tiAmy +i amintea. *n 0useser n vizit( s"tmna tre!ut( !%irea mare +i btrn i se

"ruse a 0i !urat +i "%!ut( iar &amna ramer r#u. A!um ns( #nu% ! va 0i %satsin#ur & 0!ea s tremure in t&t !&r"u%.

6 3$am rz#nit( b&!i ea. Dreau s stau !u tine( !u tati +i !u itty$*at;6 itty$*at se mir Hi%ie ramer. Nu mi$ai s"us ! ai & "isi!.6 E nea#r t&at( !u %bue a%be +i &arme !u mine( "u0ni Amy.6 Ei( avem +i n&i un "is&i ai!i. % !7eam Tabby +i ieri se t&t "reumb%a "e i!i +i !&%&

!utn un %&! une s &arm( ar nimeni nu "rea &rni! s$% "rimeas!. 8&ate vrei s$% iei

!u tine.6 /ar...*7iar n m&mentu% !n Amy n!e"u s "r&testeze a"ru( !a %a !&man( & 0e%in. 8rivi n

'ur !teva !%i"e( a"&i se use ire!t s"re 0at +i n!e"u s$+i 0re!e b%ana e "i!i&ru% ei(mieunn ru#t&r. Amy ezit( a"&i se a"%e!( "unnu$+i "a%me%e "e !a"u% "isi!ii.

6 *eea !e a s"us ea e aevrat ntreb ea 0e%ina. N$ai une s &rmiAmy %u "is&iu% n brae +i se a+ez "e "at "entru a se m"rieteni !u e%. Hi%ie "r&0it e

m&ment +i$i 0!u un semn %ui :ranG *ar%s&n. ne%e#n( tat% 0etiei !&b&r s au! ba#a'u%0ii!ei sa%e.

J&s7 sttea n !a"u% &ase%&r( n "at. n "&a%a %ui z!ea( es!7is( un e,em"%ar inMizerabilii"e !are i$% use &!t&ru% Hasb&r&u#7. 8e n&"tiera e %n# "at se a0%a & bu!at(

"e 'umtate mn!at( in "%!inta !u a%une trimis e 3a,. A0ar( un vu%tur se r&tea in !e n!e mai '&s. J&s7 % a+te"t s aterizeze( ntrebnu$se !e es!&"erise "asrea.Un !&i&t 8r&babi% &ar un ie"ure.8&ate ar trebui s se mbra!e +i s va !u &!7ii %ui.La urma urmei( n$a 0&st &!t&ru% Hasb&r&u#7 e a!&r s "%e!e u"$amiaza a!as Nu i

era ru +i n$avea nimi!. Ni!i n!7eieturi%e nu$% mai ureau. A+a ! e !e trebuia s a+te"te "n!e$+i termin mun!a mama %ui +i vine s v&rbeas! !u &!t&ru% /e !e nu$ au( "ur +i sim"%u(rumu% Nu se a0%a %a mai mu%t e & mi% e !as 6 !e mare s!&0a% a! ar 0i "%e!at "e '&s

8rivi !easu% +i "u0ni. Une era mai!$sa Era e'a &ra !in!i +i ar 0i trebuit s 0ie ai!i %a"atru +i 'umtate. *e nu mersese !a %umea H&trser s nu$% mai %ase a!as e%&!

8use !artea e&"arte( se ete '&s in "at +i se nre"t s"re u+. S!&ase !a"u% a0ar +i "rivi

"e !&ri&r. *u e,!e"ia s&rei( !are sttea n s"ate%e bir&u%ui e internri( nu se veea nimeni.8&ate ar 0i bine s se mbra!e +i s "%e!e Sau( !7iar mai bine( s is"ar "e 0ereastr

Numai ! a! va a"rea mai!$sa +i va 0a!e #ri'i "entru e% +i se va s"eria( #ninu$se !e% n!ear! in n&u s se sinu!i. Se use na"&i n "at +i se 7&tr s mai a+te"te nie%. /u!ear+a0u% %a & "arte +i a"u! in n&u !artea( numai !( n %&! s se !u0une n %e!tur( se trezi! se #ne+te %a ziua !e tre!use.

*7iar a n!er!at s se sinu!i 3eita "uin amintinu$+i !e$i s"usese "si7&%u%ui !arevenise s$% va e iminea5

6 *re ! mi$am &rit asta. Dreau s s"un( &ar mi$am tiat vene%e( nuA!um ns( !n se #ni mai bine( n!e"u s aib ubii. 8&ate 0usese &ar su"rat "e

mai!$sa 6 +i "e t&i !ei%a%i 6 +i v&ise s se rzbune "e t&i.Si a! ar 0i sn#erat "n ar 0i muritn!er! s se ima#ineze m&rt. 3&rt( n si!riu( ntins n 0aa a%taru%ui biseri!ii n tim"u%

s%u'bei e nm&rmntare. Nu reu+i. /im"&triv( se veea viu +i "rivinu$+i "r&"rii%e 0unera%ii.

8a# 2>


24/200

John SaulUmbr

8rin minte n!e"ur s i se "erine iverse ima#ini5 mama sa( mbr!at n ne#ru(sus"inn e urere- t&i !&"iii in +!&a%( tri+ti !u aevrat +i "rnu$%e a!um ru !$+i

btuser '&! e e%. Numai !( a! ar 0i murit ntr$aevr( n$ar 0i 0&st a!&%& s$i va +i %a !ebun i$ar 0i 0!ut s %e "ar ru a! e% nu "utea s %e "rimeas! s!uze%e

n!7ise &!7ii( n!er!n s nu "er!ea" ni!i un sunet. n 0&n( a! ar 0i 0&st m&rt( t&tu%trebuia s 0ie ne#ru +i ar 0i e,istat & %ini+te esvr+it. /in "!ate( !u !t n!er!a s nu aunimi!( !u att i se "rea t&tu% mai z#&m&t&s. /intr$& at( ti!itu% is!ret a% !easu%ui e %n#

"at "ru !$i bubuie n ure!7i( iar zumzetu% ma+ini%&r e "e stra i "ru un aevrat vuiet.3&rt.*um ar 0&st s 0ie a+a Nu ! &rea s +tie !u aevrat( !e% "uin nu a!um. +i amintea

n! !e s"eriat 0usese( !u & zi nainte( !n n!e"use s sn#ereze. Se rii!ase imeiat(inteni&nn s 0u# n %ivin#( ar rea%izase imeiat !t e mu%t sn#e era n 'ur +i !t esu"rat ar 0i 0&st mami !n ar 0i vzut mizeria. A+a ! sttuse "e %&!( !a un "r&st( ne0!nnimi!.

/a! ar 0i sn#erat "n ar 0i murit Se n0i&ra %a a!est #n +i e!ise ! &ri!e ar 0i 0&st n!a"u% %ui ieri era tm"enie. N$a reu+it e!t s "r&v&a!e un ezastru. *e% "uin mama % iertase.

Ista era unu% in %u!ruri%e !e%e mai "%!ute %a ea. 4ni0erent !e ar 0i 0!ut sau &ri!t e su"ratar 0i 0&st "e e%( n 0ina% % ierta nt&teauna. /e!ise s se !&m"&rte mai bine e a!i n!&%&.Se uit in n&u %a !eas. Era "e "un!tu% e a n!e"e s se mbra!e !n a"ru( zmbinu$i(

mai!$sa.6 Hei( tu( s"use ea. Ari bine. Te simi n stare s mer#i a!asO!7ii biatu%ui se mrir.6 E$n re#u% 3 %as( ntr$aevr( s "%e! a!asBrena n!uviin.6 i am +i & sur"riz "entru tine.6 O sur"riz se mir "u+tiu%. *e6 Nu snt si#ur ! ar trebui s i$& ezv%ui !7iar a!um( % tem"era Brena. 8&ate ar 0i

mai bine s a+te"t "n a'un#em a!as sau !7iar "n mine iminea.6 Nu; "r&test J&s7. A!um. Te r*&b&rse in "at +i era e'a "e 'umtate mbr!at.6 Ei bine( & s$i s"un( r&sti Brena !a +i !um t&!mai se 7&trse s e!&ns"ire taina. *e$

ai zi!e a! n$ar trebui s te mai nt&r!i %a +!&a%a in EenJ&s7 +i tr#ea "e e% b%u#ii. n#7e !u ei n vine( "rivin$& "e mai!$sa !a +i !um nu$+i

!reea ure!7i%&r.6 S nu m u! na"&i re"et e%. *e vrei s s"ui6 *e$ar 0i a! te$ai u!e %a a%t +!&a%( !are a 0&st n0iinat s"e!ia% "entru "u+ti !a tine8u%su% i se a!!e%er. /es"re !e v&rbea ea Avu a"&i senzaia ! +tie.Se re0erea "r&babi% %a & +!&a% "entru !&"ii nebuni. *&"ii !are n!er!aser s se sinu!i.

/ar e% nu era nebun 6 i$& mrturisise e'a n&a"tea tre!ut( +i in n&u( iminea. Sesimise &ar ru( +i asta era t&t.

6 *... !e +!&a% n#im( intr$& at ns"i$mntat.6 *ea es"re !are ne$a "&vestit &mnu% HGins ieri. A!aemia Barrin#t&n( n n&r.6 /... ar i$ai e,"%i!at ! era "rea s!um"... n!e"u J&s7.Brena nu$% %s s termine.6 Ei bine( se "are ! nu e !7iar a+a( r&sti ea. /&!t&ru% Hasb&r&u#7 i !un&a+te "e !ei e

a!&%& +i i$a sunat azi. Le$am trimis t&t !e aveam es"re tine +i v&r s$i v&rbeas!.Nesi#urana "u+tiu%ui !res!u.6 Drei s s"ui ! v&r s m ia 0r a se nt%ni m!ar !u mine *um vine asta E un %&!

"entru !&"ii nebuniBrena simi !$i vine ru.6 Binene%es ! nu; stri# ea. Nu e aevrat; E un %&! "entru !&"ii &tai( "entru "u+ti !a

tine;

8a# 2


25/200

John SaulUmbr

J&s7 u nen!rezt&r in !a".6 3 trimii e"arte in !auza !e%&r !e i %e$am 0!ut( nu nainte e a m tia ai s"us !

nu e ni!i & "&sibi%itate s a'un# a!&%&. 4ar a!um...O!7ii i se umezir. A%er# s"re mai!$sa( mbri+n$&.6 4art$m( s"use e%. N$am vrut !u aevrat s m&r. Eram &ar nnebunit. Nu m trimite

n a%t "arte. Te rBrena t!u. +i inea 0iu% n brae( n!er!n s$+i &r&neze #nuri%e. Era !%ar5 e% nu

ne%e#ea ! ea nu v&ia s$% "ee"seas!( !i i &rea numai bine%e.6 E$n &rine( iubitu%e 6 murmur ea. Ni!i&at nu te$a+ ne"rta e %n# mine( nu

+tiai asta N$are nimi! e$a 0a!e !u !uitu% %a ii&t. Nu e v&rba e!t e a te u!e %a & +!&a%n !are s 0ii 0eri!it +i s$i 0a!i "rieteni !are s te ne%ea#.

J&s7 n!et s mai sus"ine. +i aminti ! 'urase( !u numai !teva minute nainte( s n$&mai ne!'eas! "e mai!$sa. ntr$un trziu( !n 0u si#ur ! v&!ea nu % va mai tra( sees"rinse in brae%e ei.

6 ... +i !e$ar 0i a! n$a+ vrea s mer# ntreb e%.6 Atun!i nu va trebui s$& 0a!i( re"%i! Brena. n a0ar e asta( ei n! n$au s"us ! te

v&r. /&res! &ar s mer#em a!&%& smbt !a s$i v&rbeas! +i s$i ea s rez&%vi ni+te teste.=e!un&a+te ! nu e !7iar a+a e tra#i!( nuJ&s7 re0%e!t. 8&ate ! ntr$aevr nu era un %&! "entru !&"ii nebuni. La urma urmei(

&mnu% HGins a n!e"ut s %e v&rbeas! es"re a!est %&! nainte !a e% s in !uitu% nmn... i mama i s"usese ! nu trebuia s mear# a!&%& a! nu vr&ia.

Se 7&tr.6 *re ! "utem arun!a & "rivire( amise e%. Ai! &ar a+a( s veem es"re !e e

v&rba( bine6 Bine( rsu0% u+urat Brena. /e &u &ri bine; A!um termin e mbr!at( !a s

"utem "%e!a e ai!i.*teva minute mai trziu ie+ir in s"ita%. Brena ins"ir an! aeru% e+ertu%ui. Lu!ruri%e

n!e"eau( n s0r+it( s mear# bine. /&ar a! nu se rz#neau !ei e %a a!aemie./ar n$avea ni!i un r&st s$+i 0a! #ri'i nainte- nvase e mu%t s nu zi! @7&";@ "n nusare. n a0ar e asta( era 0&arte 7&trt5 a!aemia avea s$i a!!e"te &ri!um 0iu%. *reieru% %uiera "rea bun "entru a se "iere %a +!&a%a in Een.

Da intra %a a!aemie 6 & simea; Da intra +i va 0i !e% mai str%u!it e%ev in ist&ria ei.+i u seama ! era "e "un!tu% e a zi!e @7&";@ 0r a +ti !e & a+tea"t. Smbt se va

%muri t&tu%.

5

Brena rsu0% u+urat +i n!e"u s !rea ! btrnu% *7evr&%et va su"ravieui !%t&rieie e mi%e abia u" !e e"+ir aut&straa 11 +i n!e"ur s ur!e ea%uri%e intre SanJ&se +i !&asta 8a!i0i!u%ui. 8rsiser Eenu% %a &ra "atru imineaa( J&s7 "%n#nu$se ! era

"rea evreme s se s!&a%e. ns Brena insistase s "%e!e %a a!ea &r( m&tivn ! era mai bines 0i s!"at e e+ert nainte e a se insta%a !%ura t&ri a zi%ei( +i asta in !auza ma+inii. A+a! au "&rnit "e ntuneri!. Au traversat e+ertu%( %un$& e$a %un#u% vii San J&aPuin( u"!are s$au nre"tat s"re vest( "n %a n&r e BaGers0ie%( intrn "e aut&stra "e %a 8as& =&$

b%es.J&s7 se a#it u+&r %n# ea. Se trezise in m&ia%a n !are !zuse !u & &r n urm. Se

0re! %a &!7i +i !%i"i e !teva &ri( a"&i vzu un ini!at&r mare( vere( !e s"nzura easu"rarumu%ui s"re Santa *ruz5 Barrin#t&n 6 2F mi%e.

6 A"r&a"e ! am a'uns( r&sti e%( z#inu$se %a "eisa'u% ne!un&s!ut in 'ur.8e ea%uri%e nverzite "utea veea "%!uri e eu!a%i"i +i( in !n n !n( "ini r&+ii.

8a# 2F


26/200

John SaulUmbr

6 3i( ar nu arat e%&! !a n Een( nu$i a+a se mir e%.6 Si#ur ! nu arat( a"r&b Brena( zmbin.*t tim" J&s7 &rmise( ea "rivise 0as!inat z&na in a0ara &ra+u%ui San J&se. U%tima at

0usese "e$ai!i !n era &ar & 0eti- z&na era t&at numai terenuri !u%tivate( a"arinn0erme%&r( iar San J&se era un &r+e% !&!7et. ntre tim" se ntinsese. /evenise un !entru a%inustriei e,"%&zive a !&m"utere%&r( iar 0erme%e 0useser n%&!uite !u un +ira# nes0r+it e!artiere e %&!uit +i "ar!uri inustria%e. n !e%e in urm( %saser t&ate a!estea n urm +in!e"user ur!u+u% ns"re ea%uri une( !u e,!e"ia !t&rva !%iri mari !e "reau ! a"ruserin senin( "eisa'u% era n! nem&i0i!at.

O 'umtate e &r mai trziu a'unser %a "eri0eria Barrin#t&nu%ui. Era un &r+e%( mai marens e!t Een. Situat "e %it&ra% +i !uibrit !&n0&rtabi% ntre "%a' +i ea%uri( &ra+u% nu aveanimi! in as"e!tu% a+ezri%&r n&i e %n# San J&se. *entru% %&!a%itii era ri#ur&s &r&nat( !uma#azine a%e !r&r 0aae variau e %a ar7ite!tura in vremea "i&nieratu%ui +i "n %a sti%u%ani%&r K2 +i K>. &na !entra% era n!&n'urat e strzi tiate re"t( "e mar#ini%e !r&ra se%0iau !ase mi!i( a!&"erite !u i#%( +i !&"a!i !e$+i atinseser maturitatea !u ze!i e ani nurm. *7iar +i a!um( n se"tembrie( !er!e%u+ii n0%&reau "este t&t( iar via s%bati! mbr!a

ziuri%e mu%t&r !%iri./u" !e urm & serie e ini!at&are( Brena a'unse( n s0r+it( %a universitate. *am"usu%arta e,a!t a+a !um +i ima#inase ! trebuie s arate. *%iri%e in !rmi erau is"use in

'uru% unei "a'i+ti %ar#i( "e !are se n%au "ini +i arbu+ti 0%&ra%i ai un&r s"e!ii nemaint%nite"n a!um. n s"ate%e im&bi%e%&r ve!7i( !rate "e ea%( se a0%au & serie e stru!turi mai n&i(!e se inte#rau arm&ni&s n "eisa'( nu$i un as"e!t m&ern( 0r a$i stri!a 0arme!u%.

6 /ar une e a!aemia se ntreb Brena !u v&!e tare. Trebuia s 0a! "arte in!am"usu% universitar.

6 A!&%&( e,!%am J&s7( artn s"re unu% in ini!at&are%e !e$i #7iaser "n n!am"us. 4a$& %a rea"ta( s"re ea%.

/e+i nu vzuse semnu%( Brena urm instru!iuni%e biatu%ui. *teva minute mai trziu(

a'unser %a & "&art mare( ub%( in tab%( es!7is s"re & 0rum&as a%ee. Brena &"ri ma+ina+i "rivi n 'ur. La !a"tu% !e%%a%t a% rumu%ui str'uit e "ini( %a !teva sute e metri( se a0%a!ea mai im"&zant !%ire "e !are & vzuse "n atun!i. /in !&r"u% !en

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John Saul - Umbra