第22节

  【】seanthteayfather,soietalrodtreatnt.</p>

  onthortr,andthegrassedinthesunshihelaundryhangingonclothesliheiryardsstirredbythebreezetodancelikebutterflies.</p>

  egranatesfrohetree.iunfoldedthestoryidbroughtalong,tuedtothefirstpage,thenputitdoegrahadfallentotheground.</p>

  “youhthis”isaid,tossingthefruitupanddown.</p>

  hassanssleeered.no,notolder,old.edhiseyes,hisuth.ightasyself.</p>

  “ed.</p>

  thelorfellfroisfa,thestapledpagesofthestoryidprosedtoreadhilutteredinthebreeze.ihurledthepograhiitstruthechest,explodedinasprayofredpulp.hassanscryhsurpriseandpain.</p>

  “hitbathestainonhischestto.</p>

  “getuphit”isaid.hassandidgetup,buthejuststoodthere,lookingdazedlikeandraggedintotheobyariptideontago,herollonthebeach.</p>

  ihithigraheshoulderthisti.thejuinyou”iethepunishntiaybethenthingsuldretutohoagainandagain.“youreanward”</p>

  idontknoanytisihithialliknoearedinredlikehedbeenshotbyafiringsquad.ifelltokired,spent,frustrated.</p>

  thenhassandidpickupapogranate.hee.heopeandcrusheditagainsthisoisfieddoyoufeelbetter”hetuedaroundandstarteddohehill.</p>

  iletthetearsbreakfree,royknees.</p>

  “igoingtodoigoingtodoethetearsdriedupanditrudgeddohehill,ikneheansothatquestion.</p>

  ituedthirteenthatsuerof1976,afghanistaolastsuerofpeaity.thiiddethedayetoanend.ybenotquitesosoon,butitr,thesedretreatingtohisstudyaftersupper.andbingthroughhfezandkhayyágnaynailsdoybed,keepiintohi</p>

  babasttoaboutthroeerseforhavinglivedtothirteen.thenirealizedtheyingfor.itybirthday,butikneherealstaroftheshoas.</p>

  fordays,thehouseiforanyofthethree.heslaughteredtheanilshielfintheyardbyapoplartree.“bloodisgoodforthetree,”ireerhiayingasthegrassaroundthepoplarsoakedred.nididntkheoaktreesalleleuhaad,etothehousedordello,asbabacalledhiefusedpayntforhisservices.hesaidbabahaddoneenoughfor</p>

  hisfalyalready.itkhane,asdelloriheat,thatbabahadleheoopenhisrestaurant.babahadrefusedrepayntuntildellohadshooney.</p>

  iguessinstybirthdaybashokingoairs,leaningagainstdleduhegloihelightofkeroseorchesproppedeveryadzahirassesofdangbodies.</p>

  ihadtogreeteaadesureofthat;nooneanners.ikissedhundredsoffortheirgifts.fayplasteredsle.</p>

  ieonesaid,“happybirthday,ar.”itood,other,tanya,all,nervousaniledandblinkedalot.assef</p>

  ...</p>