ultimul erou billie green

8/21/2019 Ultimul Erou Billie Green

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ULTIMUL EROUBILLIE GREEN

CAPITOLUL 1

Toby i ridic brusc capul i ca!ra "c!pu s s! ro#!asc$""!bu"i#or$" %urul!i&I"spir'"d "c!#$i ddu s!aa d! r!ali#a#!$iar ()oo#ul p!#r!c!rii i lu!a di""cp#oar!a ca!r "c!pus!r s s! "d!pr#!(! #o# ai ul# d! !a$car!rs!s! a!(a#$si")ur$p! !l!)a"#a so*a alb&P!"#ru u" o!"#$s! lup# cus#ar!a !i d! d!(ori!"#ar!$apoi si+i c o prs!sc pu#!ril!$pl!oap!l! i s! "c,is!ri !a s! ls cupri"s d! s!"(a+iil! cald!$ciuda#!$!ro#ic!&-ibra+iil! car! is!"sibili(au #!ri"a+iil! "!r.oas! a.!au c!.a di" c!!a c! !a "u !/p!ri!"#as!"icioda#&U" ('b!# .a)$aproap! i"di*!r!"#$i apru p! bu(!$" #ip c! s!

"#r!ba c! s! "#'pla cu !a&Apoi$*ra)!"#!l! d! r!ali#a#! p!rsis#!"#! s! lo.ir


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surpri"(#or d! .isul sp!c#acular$#!,"icolor$i s! si+i pi!rdu#&Toby "c,is!"c!# ua apar#a!"#ului " spa#!l! !i i s! spri%i"i$slbi#$r!spir'"d )r!oi&Br!locul cu c,!i d!.!"i di"#r0oda# pr!a )r!u p!"#ru d!)!#!l! !i #r!ur#oar! i$c'"d ac!s#a c(u p! pod!a$r!c!p+io"a ()oo#ul d! parc ar *i .!"i# d! u"d!.a$d!

d!par#!&U" .al d! #ra"spira+i! i acop!ri *a+a i corpul$*c'"d0o s s! si# pros#&Tr)'"du0s! d! l'") u$s! "dr!p#$uor d!(!c,ilibra#$spr! ica bai!$d!culoar! )alb!"$d! l'") dori#orul !i i ddu druul la du&ai"!l! parc "u.oiau s0i alu"!c! d! p! corp i s! si+i cu #o#ul obosi# c'"d$d!(brca# ""#r!)i!$pi p! *aia"+a icii cabi"! a duului&Apa cald i s! pr!li")!a p! corp$

pr'"d ai d!)rab s s! a!s#!c! cu #ra"spira+ia$d!c'# s i0o sp!l!&Lu spu"uli "c!pu s s! *r!c! "c!#$dar c'"d i alu"!c di" d!)!#!l! aor+i#!$!a d!cis! sl las! acolo u"d! !ra$si i"du0s! pr!a "!si)ur p! icril! !i$ca s "c!rc! s

l pri"d di" "ou&2" #ip c! i spla ur!l! d! spu" d! p! p'"#!c! i d! p!coaps!$*u cupri"s d! s!"#i!"#ul c #o# c! i s! "#'pla "u !ra "r!)ul&3pri%i"i"du0s! d! (id$"c!rc s a*l! cau(a s#rii !i$dar ac!as#a pr!a #o#ai co"*u( p! sur c! "c!rca s s! apropi! ai ul# d! !a&C'#!.a clip! ai#'r(iu$" #ip c! s! #!r)!a cu prosopul$"u0i pu#!a da s!aa c'# #ip i

p!#r!cus! sub du&4i" "ou i s! pru c s! pi!rd! " spa#!l! ac!lui .al d!co"*u(i!&3! "dr!p# "c!# spr! dori#or i s! a!( p! ar)i"!a pa#ului !iic$acop!ri# cu o cu.!r#ur di" sa#i"&Lu'"d r!c!p#orul$pri.i au#oa# spr! c!asul

.!c,i$di" ala$d! p! "op#i!r&0Cu doa"a doc#or Ma#,ias$urur !a$c'"d r!c!p#orul *u ridica# la c!l d!0al

pa#rul!a ap!l&3u"# Toby$doa" doc#or&C!.a ! " "!r!)ul cu i"!&I"spir"!si)ur&A .is! di" c!l! ai ciuda#!$co"#i"u !a&3! pr!a c !ra di" "ou "a"ii d! lic!u&&&i !ra )oal&&&R's! "c!#&5i "i!"i "u obs!r.a&P! ur$!ra oca!r cu u" pa# !"or&&&c!l ai ar! pa# p! car! l0a .(u# .r!oda#&2"c!pu ss! r!la/!(! " #ip c! .orb!a$dar "u pu#!a #o#ui s s! !/pri! a#'# d! r!p!d! p!c'# ar *i .ru# i co"#i"u " oap#6

0Era ar! c'# ca!ra$*r "ici u" spa+iu " %urul lui ca s po+i !r)!&&&i " !l s!a*la u" o i"u"a#&&&sau s#a#uia d! bro"( a u"ui brba#&Nu po# s i ai"#!sc

bi"!&Apoi$u" #a/i al crui o*!r a.!a u" "as ca al u"ui&&&"u$s#ai$!ra7do"ulA#8i"s$dir!c#orul ad%u"c# car! a.!a u" "as ca u"&&&cr!d$doa" doc#or Ma#,ias&&&0Toby9 Li"i#!#!0#!&Toby au(i .oc!a doc#ori+!i$dar i s! pr!a dis#a"# i su"a casir!"a u"ui #ra"sa#la"#ic&0Ascul#0$Toby&Ai ura# pr!scrip+ia p! car! +i0a da#0o: ;i0ai lua# pas#il!l!a(i:

04a&&&cr!d c da&L!0a lua# c,iar "ai"#! d! a duc! la p!#r!c!r!&


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C! i s! "#'pl: op#i !a cu disp!rar!&4! c! urr!au copiii ia:0Toby$"u a *os# "iic r!al&Ai o r!ac+i! la #ri*luop!ra(i"a p! car! doc#ori+a


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i"s#ru!"#! d! p! su+a s#rluci#oar!&P!s#! o clip$pru s ia od!ci(i!&2"#orc'"du0s!$s! spri%i"i d! dulpior i pri.i spr! locul u"d! !d!a Toby$

p! ar)i"!a !s!i d! co"sul#a+i!$cu c!arc!a*ul s#r'"s " %urul !i ca u" sari d! u".!rd! d!sc,is&Riduril! di" %urul oc,ilor *!!ii " .'rs# s! r!la/ar$#rs#uril!

.di"du0i pr!ocupar!a$" #ip c! i pri.!a #'"ra paci!"#$cu oc,i ")ri%ora+i&0Toby$a .r!a s .ii " cabi"!#ul !u dup c! #! braci$spus! !a$cu o .oc!cald$*!i"i"$dar si)ur&4!i Toby "u o ai .(us! p! doc#ori+a Ma#,ias di"lu"!a d! dup s*'ri#ul la d! sp#'" d! acu #r!i lu"i$o cu"o#!a d! "oua"i i "icioda# " #o# ac!s# #ip "u ai au(is! #o"ul ac!la&I s! *cu pi!l!a ca d!)i" p! bra+!&2"),i+i"d "!r.os$aprob di" cap$apoi s! a!( li"i#i#$" #ip c! o

pri.!a p! *!!ia " .'rs#$prsi"d cru+a d! co"sul#a+i!&C'"d ua s! "c,is!uor " ura doc#ori+!i$Toby scu#ur di" cap$co"*u($i bucl!l! scur#! d!

culoar!a ciocola#!i "c,is! i s! icar " %urul capului$d! parc ar *i cp#a#di"#r0oda# o .ia+ propri!&4'"du0s! %os d! p! as$"!"d!'"a#ic$"c!pu s s!brac!$"#r!b'"du0s! car! s *i! "+!l!sul #o"ului doc#ori+!i Ma#,ias&Lu'"d "co"sid!ra+i! s#ar!a !i i ru#i"a a"ual a !/a!"!lor )i"!colo)ic! p! car! l!*c!a$posibili#+il! pr!au *r s*'ri#&

mi pare ru,Toby,dar mai ai numai treisprezece sptmni de via i,ntructvei muri oricum,guvernul Statelor Unite ar dori ca tu s arunci n aer

Kremlinul

3cu#ur'"du0i #ar! capul$"c!rc s s! co"c!"#r!(! asupra brca#ului$dar *cup! *cu i r!ui s0i pu" i".!rs pulo.!rul cu d!col#!ul " *or d! -&=r s*ac "ici o pau($i scoas! bra+!l! a*ar i i ara"% pulo.!rul bi"!&Oc,ii i !rauuii+i i .is#ori&

mi pare ru,Toby,dar trebuie s i spun c ai o !amilie de tinere i micue !iinecare triesc n uterul tu i care vor s"i creeze condi ii de via &O as!!"!a .i(iu"! !ra pr!a ul#$c,iar i p!"#ru ia)i"a+ia !i .i!&3! brcai "c!# ca d! obic!i$)si"d #ip s s! pi!p#!"! i$cu #oa#! as#!a$i s! pr!a c

#ipul #r!c!a pr!a &r!p!d!&2" s*'ri#$dup c! cul!s! c'#!.a sca! d! p!pa"#alo"ii !i .iol!+i di" l'"$#iu c "u .a ai pu#!a a'"a i"!.i#abilul i$lu'"du0i po!#a$i *cu dru spr! cabi"!#ul doc#ori+!i&B#u "c!# c'"d a%u"s! "*a+a uii alb!$cu "u!l! doc#ori+!i Ma#,ias p! o plcu+&0Ia loc$Toby$spus! doc#ori+a&5i #!ri" cu pri.ir!a as#a sp!ria#&Toby r!ali( i!dia# c$d! *ap#$!a "u spus!s! c !ra c!.a car! s o*!r! o#i.! d!")ri%orar! i "u o pri.is! ca i c'"d ar *i *os# .orba d! c!.a )ra.&4i"#r0oda#$oc,ii !i cprui "c,is s! rir la i.ir!a u"ui )i"d "ou&Ui#as! cu

#o#ul d! !dica!"#ul p! car! doc#ori+!l!


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p!"#ru c'#.a #ip$po#ri.a a"/i!#+ii i d!pr!siu"ii&A,$icil! capsul! car! icau(as!r o as!!"!a probl! " "oap#!a ac!!a ciuda#9 4!spr! as#a #r!bui! s*i *os# .orba&R!ac+ia lui Toby la !dica!"#! *us!s! pr!a .iol!"#&Poa#! cciclul !i "!r!)ula# i .is!l! s#ra"ii "u !rau si")ur!l! !*!c#! al! !dica!"#ului&

Poa#! d!#!ri"as!r i al#! co"s!ci"+!&Poa#! cau(as!r o$boal "ou i or#al$car! "u a.!a #ra#a!"#&Poa#!&&&0Toby9;i0a spus s "u +i *aci )ri%i$spus! doa"a doc#or Ma#,ias$sco+'"du0ioc,!larii p!"#ru a o pri.i " oc,i p! Toby&04ar su"#!+i ")ri%ora#$i rspu"s! !a&-d as#a&Oar! as#a ar! .r!o l!)#ur cu

pas#il!l! al!a p! car! l! iau: Tri&&&i0ai0cu0l!0c,!a:4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias "u rspu"s! i!dia#$ca i c'"d i0ar *i c'"#ri# cu.i"#!l!&0Nu$au *os# !*!c#! pr!lu")i#!$di" cau(a u"!i do(! !/a)!ra#!&Nu #r!bui! s +i *aci

probl!! " pri.i"+a&&&s"#+ii #al!&&&di" cau(a "#'plrii s#!ia&Toby o*# r!la/a#$dar apoi$dup c! obs!r. pri.ir!a "cru"#a# di" oc,ii *!!ii$s!"(a+ia d! uurar! dispru&0To#ui$! c!.a$"u: C!.a ru: Ea s! apl!c spr! doc#ori+$iar ia)i"a+ia !i .i!r!"c!pu s lucr!(!are surorile de la mnstiri nu !ac cancer cervical din cauz c nu au contact

se$ual% &u cumva e vorba despre asta%#are o s mor pentru c am rmas!ecioar pn la douzeci i trei de ani cnd toate !emeile ncep s !ac

dragoste nc nainte de a !i nrcate%0=!cioar9urur doc#ori+a$aru"c'"du0i o pri.ir! )'"di#oar!&3! ui# " %os$d!sc,i('"d s!r#arul$apoi s! apl!c spr! Toby$"#i"('"du0i o ic

pu") cu alu"!&Toby pri.i spr! pu")a cu alu"! di" '"a >doc#ori+!i i$di"#r0oda#$i"ia "c!pu s0i ba# ai pu#!r"ic&0Tr!bui! s *i! c!.a )roa("ic$dac o s a "!.oi! d! alu"!$op#i !a$cu oc,iiri+i p! *i)ura !i ic$d!lica#&0Toby$"u i0! uor s0+i spu" as#a$(is! doc#ori+a "c!#&Apoi o*# di" )r!u i i

pus! ab!l! bra+! p! birou$apl!c'"du0s! spr! !a6Toby9Nu !#i .ir)i"&0Ei bi"!$"u$di" pu"c# d! .!d!r! *i(ic$di" cau(a accid!"#ului su*!ri# c'"d a.!a1@ a"i&4ar$cu ,i!" sau *r$su"# o .ir&&&3! opri brusc$c'"d .(u pri.ir!a di"oc,ii doc#ori+!i&0Nu0i aa: "#r!b !a surpri"s&4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias i scu#ur capul " s!" "!)a#i.$co"#i"u'"d s o pri.!asc&04ar cu pu#!+i spu"! as#a: 4oar dac&&&oc,ii i s! rir i d!s*cu pu")a cualu"!&3u"# )ra.id: "#r!b Toby$uor r)ui#&Oc,ii alba#ri ai doc#ori+!i

Ma#,ias s! uplur d! copasiu"!$" #ip c! dd!a di" cap&


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04ar "u s! poa#!$spus! !a&4!si)ur$oric! #'"r a au(i# po.!#i d!spr! cu po+ir'"! )ra.id "#r0o pisci"$dar as#a "u s! poa#! "#'pla&&&" r!ali#a#!&&&"u0iaa:0Mi0! #!a c "u$spus! doc#ori+a "c!#$cl#i"'"d di" "ou di" cap&Apoi o*#$c'"d

Toby "#oars! pu")a cu alu"! i i uplu )ura cu %u#a#! di" co"+i"u#ul !i&Pl!oap!l! lui Toby s! lsar "c!# " %os$acc!p#'"d ad!.rul&'e crezi,Toby,ai !ost aleas s repei povestea cu !ecioara (aria:0O #uoar!9spus! Toby di"#r0oda#$cu $oc,ii s#rluci"d$" #ip c! s! ls p!scau" i "),i+i "c!# alu"!l!$apoi r's!&3! "#'pla #o# #ipul&O pri.i$pli" d! sp!ra"+$p! *!!ia cu prul ar)i"#iu&4ar doc#ori+a Ma#,ias "u i ddu r)a( s0i co"#i"u! *alsul ra+io"a!"#&03! "#'pl$dar "u cu #i"!$Toby&E(i#$ls'"du0s! " scau" i pri.i"d #a.a"ul

p!"#ru o clip&C'"d .orbi$o *cu cu pr!cau+i!&0Ai spus c ai *os# la o p!#r!c!r! #ocai "ai"#!&&&d! a #! *i si+i# co"*u($Acu #r!i lu"i&-orb!#!0i d!spr! as#a&Toby i aps 'i"il! p! abdo!"&0Cr!d!+i c !u&&&dar "u a *i a.u#&&&4oa" doc#or Ma#,ias$#i+i c "u a *i a.u#&&&0-orb!#!0i d!spr! p!#r!c!r!$Toby0Nu . po# spu"! "iic$(is! !a cl#i"'"du0i capul$co"*u(&A lua# o capsul cuaproap! o %u#a#! d! or "ai"#! ca Ly"da i cu i"! s pl!c la p!#r!c!r!&2iai"#!sc c a a%u"s acolo&Nu a bu#$p!"#ru c i0a+i spus s "u b!au$dar

apoi "u i ai ai"#!sc "iic&Ly"da i0a spus c "u .oia s ai pl!c c'"d!ra ca(ul&=cu o pau( i i"spir pro*u"d&Ur#orul lucru d! car! i ai"#!sc!s#! c .0a #!l!*o"a#&R!.d .a) o!"#ul c'"d 0a r!"#ors acas&5i cr!d ca *cu# u" du&4ar as#a0i #o#&3! opri$ridic'"du0i o spr'"c!a"$" #ip c!"c!rca s i ai"#!asc&Era ci"ci dii"!a+a$c'"d a #!ri"a# d! discu#a# cudu"!a.oas#r$aa c p!#r!cus!$probabil$.r!o as! or! r's! "!"cr!(#oar!0.r!+i s spu"!+i c$la u" o!"# da#$" c!l! as! or!&&&.oc!a i s! s#i"s! pri.i"d" %ur pri" ca!r$dup u" s!" car! s o asi)ur! c c!!a c! i s! "#'pla "u !ra

r!al&0Po+i s ai r!p!+i o da#$Toby$urur doc#ori+a&Po+i s o co"sid!ri ca p! o)r!!al p!rso"al$"u0i "iic d! car! s +i *i! rui"!&=cu o pau( i o pri.i p!Toby " oc,i&2" #ipul or!lor ac!lora d! car! "u +i ai"#!#i$ai *cu# dra)os#!&Toby i )oli pu")a d! alu"! " )ur$" #ip c! ca!ra "c!pu s s! ".'r#!asc" %urul !i&

&u"i nimic de care s i !ie ruine&u te gndi c ar putea !i vorba desc)izo!renie*ndete"te ca i cnd nu ar mai trebui s priveti un !ilm singur

0C! )'"d!#i d!spr! as#a: "#r!b doc#ori+a$i "l+ capul$" #ip c! cu.i"#!l!


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doc#ori+!i p#ru"d!au pri" p!r!#!l! )'"durilor !i&2i *r!c brbia i pri.i spr!*!!ia ai " .'rs#$)'"di#oar!$apoi i scu#ur capul "c!#&04!spr! sarci": "#r!b Toby$cu sp!ra"+&05#ii d!spr! c! .orb!sc$subli"i! doc#ori+a Ma#,ias&E .orba d! si#ua+ia d! a *i *os#

a#'# d! aproap! d! u" brba#&0Nu #iu&Nu si# "iic d!os!bi#&Poa#! p!"#ru c "u i po# ai"#i c! s0a"#'pla#&E ca i c'"d a pri.i u" *il s!/y&Nu d!ra"%!a($p!"#ru c "u *ac

par#! di" !l&3! opri$"c!rc'"d s i co"#rol!(! r!ac+iil!$aa cu *c!a"#o#d!au"a "#r0o "ou si#ua+i!&0Ciuda#$co"#i"u !a$dar si")urul lucru p! car!0l si# " l!)#ur cu "#'plar!aac!!a ! u" s!"#i!"# d! *rus#rar!&=rus#rar!:04a&Probabil c a *os# si")ura da# " .ia+ c'"d a dori# cu u" brba# i&&&a

ra#a# o!"#ul&4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias r's!&02i plac! *!lul " car! pri.!#i lucruril!$Toby&Toby i ls capul "#r0o par#! i('bi ciuda#&+ti un caz mental,TobyUn sac de trucuri nevroticear,n mod

sigur,e plcut s ai pe cineva prin prea-m&05i$apoi$"u #r!bui! s o i!i ca p! u" s*'ri#$co"#i"u doc#ori+a Ma#,ias$cu .oc!ac!.a ai i"#!"s&Ar pu#!a *i u" "c!pu#$p!"#ru #i"!&O bi"!cu.'"#ar! asca#&0Cr!d!+i:+,ntr"adevr,o nenorocire s ai un bra amputat,dar gndete"te ct

spun ai putea economisi

0 i ai ! c!.a d! car! ar #r!bui s .orbi$Toby&0Al#c!.a: 4ar i s0au #!ri"a# alu"!l!&4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias r's! di" "ou&03p!r s "u ai "!.oi! d! !l!$su"# c'#!.a lucruri p! car! #r!bui! s l! #ii$di" pu"c#d! .!d!r! !dical&2" priul r'"d$!dica!"#!l! "0ar *i pu#u# a.!a "ici oi"*lu!"+ asupra copilului&Ar #r!bui s *i! "oral&A pu#!a *ac! c'#!.a #!s#!$cas .!ri*ic$oricu&2" al doil!a r'"d$!#i "#r0o co"di+i! *i(ic !/c!l!"# i ar#r!bui s ai o sarci" s"#oas&4!ci$p!"#ru #i"!$"u ! .orba d! o d!ci(i!!dical&E o probl! oral$Toby&E o probl! d! s!"#i!"#!&E$pur i

siplu$c!.a p!rso"al&C! .r!i s *aci " l!)#ur cu as#a:Toby i pri.i 'i"il!&4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias !.i#as!$cu ul# #ac#$s pro"u"+!cu.'"#ul >copil? d!0a lu")ul icului !i discurs&5#ia c .oia s o "#r!b! dac ardori s "#r!rup sarci"a sau c! a.!a d! )'"d s *ac&0Nu #iu$doa" doc#or$spus! !a "c!#&E c!.a la car! #r!bui! s )'"d!sc&5#i+i$a *os# "#o#d!au"a po#ri.$dar&&&! )r!u s *ii obi!c#i. c'"d ai c'#! osurpri($ca as#a&2i cl#i" capul&Tr!bui! s ai )'"d!sc&-oc!a i d!.!"ioap#&E )r!u d! cr!(u# c "u"#rul !u cr!#! u" copil&U" copil&Nu !ra )r!u s


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spu" cu.'"#ul cu .oc! #ar!&2l *c!a s par i ai r!al&=c!a ca a.or#ul s pariposibil&04a+i0i .oi!&&&da+i0i .oi! s )'"d!sc la as#a$c'#.a #ip&2" a c'#a lu" su"#:Apoi r's! di" i"i&Era o "#r!bar! s#upid&P!#r!c!r!a *us!s! acu #r!i lu"i$

d!ci&&&04a$ai ! "c #ip$dac #! d!ci(i r!p!d!&4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias s! a!($i"dic'"d c!ra #ipul p!"#ru ur#oar!a .i(i#&04u0#! acas i )'"d!#!0#!$Toby&El s##!a " "#u"!ric$cu i"ia b#'"du0i "!bu"!#!$cr!('"d c #ocai s!"#'plas! u" iracol&2"#i"('"du0s!$#ras! p!rd!aua " aa *!l$"c'# s o poa#.!d!a ai bi"!$aa cu s##!a$)oal$" i%locul c!arc!a*urilor d! p! pa#ul lui

"cp#or&Era ciuda#$dar$cu !/c!p+ia oap#!lor !i ru)#oar!$" #ip c! *cus!rdra)os#!$"u cr!d!a s o *i au(i# spu"'"d .r!u" cu.'"#&4!i "ici !l "u spus!s!.r!u"ul&Cu.i"#!l! "u pr!au ipor#a"#!&2"+!l!s!s!$d! c'"d o luas! " bra+!$s da"s!(!$c !ra *!!ia po#ri.i#&Era c!.a

prii#i. " !l$car! s! r!)s!a " *!!ia as#a ic i s!"(ual&5i c'"d discul s!#!ri"as!$bra+ul lui rs!s! p! dup i%locul !i&Apoi$ca i c'"d a%u"s!s!r la o"+!l!)!r! r!ciproc " #ipul da"sului$i!ir pr!u" di" i%locul ul+iii)l)ioas!&'bi$c'"d s! )'"di c "u .ois! s !ar) la p!#r!c!r!&Nu s! si+!a

" s#ar! s s#!a " i%locul ul+iii la o p!#r!c!r!$dar #ia c'# d! d!(a)i# ar *i*os# Ro" dac !l "0ar *i .!"i#&Acu$i ul+ui d!s#i"ului car! l pur#as! acolo&4ac "u ar *i !rs$"u ar *i "#'l"i#0o p! !a&5i !ra p!"#ru pria da#$" a#' ia a"i$c'"d si+!a c *c!a cu ad!.ra# dra)os#! i "u doar u" ac# d! pr!u"ar! *i(ic&C,iar i dup c! #!ri"as! cu cs#oria lui d!(as#ruoas$a.!"#uril! lui "u a.!ausc'"#!ia d! s!"#i!"# p! car! o cu#a " od i"co"#i!"#&2" #ip c! s##!a #cu# i o pri.!a$oc,ii !i s! d!sc,is!r&Ea i #r!cu '"a pri"

bucl!l! scur#!$ciocola#ii$&apoi l .(u s#'"d " lui"a palid a lu"ii$('bi"d&

"c!#$!l s! "dr!p# spr! !a&&&

Toby s##!a " i%locul apar#a!"#ului !i i "c!pu s r'd$ai"#i"du0icu.i"#!l! doc#ori+!i$apoi r'sul i s! #ra"s*or " ,o,o#!&&&?G'"d!#!0#! la as#a?$ispus!s! doc#ori+a Ma#,ias&Ca i c'"d ar *i a.u# al#c!.a d! *cu#&Ca i c'"d s0ar *i

pu#u# )'"di la al#c!.a&4! c'"d prsis! cabi"!#ul doc#ori+!i$"u s! ai )'"dis! la"iic al#c!.a&Era co"*u( i sp!ria#$dar !ra si)ur d! u" si")ur lucru&Nu .oias a.or#!(!&Ci#is! #oa# li#!ra#ura d! sp!ciali#a#!$ar)u!"#!l! pro i co"#ra&Era d!

acord cu id!!a c propriul !i corp i apar+i"!a&4ar la *!l i apar+i"!a i ai"a&


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As#a "u i dd!a dr!p#ul s sar " .r!u" r'u$cu u" pasa)!r "u"#ru&Poa#! c "u!ra acc!p#abil$dar .ia+a #r!buia oar! pri.i# " #!r!"i d! acc!p#abili#a#!:5i aa$"c!#ul cu "c!#ul$Toby a%u"s! s s! r!s!"!(! cu )'"dul c .a a.!a$cuad!.ra#$u" copil&2"c!#ul cu "c!#ul$a%u"s! s pri.!asc !.!"i!"#ul ca p! o

surpri( i"u"a#$u" cadou #ipuriu d! (iua !i d! "a#!r!&3 aib u" copil !rac!.a c! Toby "u cr!(us! c ! posibil&=us!s! si)ur c !ra pr!d!s#i"a# s #riascsi")ur&4ar acu$*r "ici o probl!$*r "ici u" !*or#$iracolul a.!a loc "*ii"+a !i&Acc!p# ac!as# "ou "#ors#ur a lucrurilor$cu acc!p#as! "#o#d!au"aciuda#!l! "#ors#uri p! car! i l! aduc!a .ia+a&Oda# c! *ap#ul s! p!#r!cus!$"c!pus s! )'"d!asc cu .a r!(ol.a si#ua+ia$"!aipi!r('"d #ipul cu >d!c!:? i>dac?&2" plus$"u !ra p!"#ru pria da# c'"d #r!buia s s! adap#!(! la o si#ua+i!s#'"%!"i#oar!$s! )'"di$('bi"d #ris#&-ia+a !i pr!a s *i! pli" d! as!!"!a

si#ua+ii&2"c d! copil$s! obi"uis! cu *oralisul r!c! al pri"+ilor$*r spr!#i"d "icioda# cldura p! car! pri"+ii !i !rau i"capabili s i0o d!a&2"c!# ia"!.oi!$s! obi"ui i cu oar#!a *ra#!lui !i ai ic$p! car! l iub!a a#'# d! ul#&Apoi$c'"d a.!a " %ur d! op#spr!(!c! a"i i c'"d "+!l!s! c'# d! ul# s! i"#!r*!ra

pr!(!"+a !i " .ia+a pri"+ilor si$"u s##u pr!a ul# p! )'"duri i s! u#$p!"#rua0i "c!p! propria .ia+&C'"d r!ali( c si")urii !bri ai s!/ului opus car! "ui dd!au dur!ri d! cap !rau *i! adol!sc!"+ii$*i! brba+ii ai " .'rs#$".+ cus co"#rol!(! si#ua+iil! ca s l! *ac *a+&2"*ru"# p!rioad!l! d! d!pr!siu"! cu

cal i "c!rc ai d!)rab s l! r!(ol.! d!c'# s s! aba"do"!(! "#u"!riculuidi" su*l!#ul !i&-(us! cu .isuril! !i s! prbu!au u"ul dup al#ul&&&i supra.i!+uis! doar cuc'#!.a l!(iu"i uoar! " i"i i cu o "!)li%abil pi!rd!r! a s"#+ii !"#al!&4i"#r0oda# ('bi&4up #oa#! as#!a$id!!a d! a a.!a u" copil !ra o "iica #oa#&O"!a#!p#a# bucuri! "c!pu s cr!asc "u"#rul !i&2i .a da ac!s#ui copil #oa#dra)os#!a$#oa# ")ri%ir!a d! car! *us!s! !a lipsi# " .ia+&4a$s! )'"di !a$copilulac!s#a .a prii #oa# dra)os#!a !a&

3i")urul lucru car! o ")ri%ora p! Toby !ra p!rsoa"a #a#lui copilului !i&Ci"!!ra: Cu !ra: 3! #i! doar c copilul a.!a s o#!"!asc i croo(oii lui&3! "cru"# di"#r0oda#&4ar dac !ra .r!u" "!bu":4ar dac a.!a ur!c,i pr!aari sau i rod!a u"),iil!: 3au dac$pur i siplu$ar#a cara),ios:

a,drag(ama tie c e o problem,dar sunt sigur c,dac ai s"i dai prulntr"o parte,cporul tu uguiat nu va !i att de !rapant&2i scu#ur capul&Nu !ra ipor#a"#&L0ar *i iubi#$oricu ar *i ar#a#&5i$#o#ui$curio(i#a#!a !i o sco#!a di" i"+i&2"#r0u" od ciuda#$"u pu#!a asocia cu

"ici u" brba# *ap#ul c !ra "srci"a#$" od lo)ic$#ia c u" brba# #r!buia s


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*i! iplica# dar$cu l "#'l"is! " co"*u(ia ac!lui s*'ri# d! sp#'"pi!rdu#$"u pu#!a cr!d! " !/is#!"#a lui&Cu ar r!ac+io"a ac!s# brba#$orici"! ar *i*os#$la .!s#!a c a.!a s *i! #a#: 4!i "u i0ar *i spus0o "icioda#$c,iar dac ar *i#iu# ci"! !ra$"u pu#!a d!c'# s s! "#r!b! car! ar *i *os# r!ac+ia lui&Era u" o

bu": 3!"sibil: Oar! copilul .a o#!"i ac!s#! cali#+i:3! "cru"# c'"d i .!"i u" )'"d supr#or&A.!a dr!p#ul s +i" ascu"s *ap#ulac!s#a *a+ d! #a#l copilului:Cr!scus! cu rc!ala pri"+ilor !i i #ia c'# d!dis#ru)#oar! poa#! *i ac!as#a&5i "u s! pu#!a ia)i"a *c'"d ac!lai lucru&Ar *i

pu#u#$oar!$s o *ac$*r a *i urri# d! ac!s# )'"d p!"#ru #o# r!s#ul .i!+ii:4i"#r0oda#$co"c!"#rar!a i *u "#r!rup# d! so"!ria d! la u&0Ly"da9!/cla !a$c'"d o .(u p! pri!#!"a !i " ,ol$" *a+a uii&E#i c,iar

p!rsoa"a p! car! a *i .ru# s o .d&Apuc'"d bra+ul blo"d!i durdulii$o co"dus!

" su*ra)!ri!&0Ei bi"!$i !u su"# bucuroas s #! .d$(is! Ly"da$c'"d s! a!( p! ca"ap!aua)alb!" a lui Toby&4ar poa#! "u a#'# d! "!aipo!"i# d! bucuroas&Toby "u r!ui s ('b!asc&Pr!a ul#! s! "#'plas!r as#(i cu !a i "c "u s!#!ri"as! (iua&3! a!( " *o#oliul ar!$.!rd!$i s#r'"s! )!"u"c,ii i i0i pri"s!cu 'i"il!&0Ly"da$.orb!#!0i d!spr! p!#r!c!r!&Cu pri!#!"a !i o pri.i ira#$!a co"#i"u6P!#r!c!r!a9C!a la car! "u .oia s !r)$dar la car! a a%u"s dup a#'#!a

ru)i"+i i d! la car! "u #iu cu 0a "#ors&P!#r!c!r!a aia90A,a9Aia9!/cla pri!#!"a !i$r'('"d uor&C! s0+i spu": A *os# da# d! u"ul di".ic!pr!!di"+ii 3&G&3&0ului i&&&0Nu$"u as#a$spus! Toby$"#r!rup'"d0o "!rbd#oar!&Ai spus c !ra pri"s "#r0odiscu+i! cu ci"!.a a#'# d! i"#!"s$"c'# "u .oia s pl!c oda# cu #i"!&Ci"! !

p!rsoa"a ac!!a: "#r!b !a p! "!rsu*la#!&Cu ci"! .orb!a:0Era&&&o,$cu l c,!a p! #ipul la:A,a$arry$s#a !9 3! a!( ai bi"!&arry i"u ai #iu cu&Nu pu#!a "+!l!)! d! c! .oiai s r'i s discu+i cu arry&

-i"!+iul la car! a plic#isi# d! oar#! #o# 4allas0ul&5i cu !ra p!"#ru pria da#c #! .!d!a a#'# d! aproap! d! u" brba# car! "u a.!a "ici couri$"ici p! .i"o0"coac!$i0a "c,ipui# c "u !ra ru&C,iar dac ar *i a.u#$di" "#'plar!$

p!rso"ali#a#!a u"ui ),i.!ci d! sp#'"a #r!cu#$adu) !a ali+ios&Toby ridic '"a$ca p!"#ru a opri u.oiul d! cu.i"#!&0Ia spu"!0i c!.a d!spr! arry s#a i "u0ai0#iu0cu&0Toby$c!0i #oa# po.!s#!a as#a: Nu0i "ici car o copi! apropia# a u"ui brba#ad!.ra#&Ci"!.a a *cu# u" ula% d! lu# i l0a a!(a# " spa#!l! u"ui birou&4ac

#!0ai d!cis$" s*'ri#$s i"#ri pri"#r! !brii ras!i ua"!$"u po+i al!)! car p!


11/106

ci"!.a car! aduc! a o:Nu ! pr!a bucur#or$s! )'"di Toby$"cru"#'"du0s!&Pu#!a acc!p#a u" copil ur'#$dar "u u"ul plic#isi#or&0Toby$c!0i cu #i"!:03u"# )ra.id$spus! !a$aru"c'"d cu.i"#!l! *ra"c$"ai"#! d! a s! lsa$pi!rdu#$p!

scau"&O*# #ris#&5i$apar!"#$ac!l brba# oar!car! !s#! #a#l copilului&Toby "c!pu s i *r!c! brbia$)'"di#oar!$d'"du0i #ip Li"d!i s "l#ur!s#up!*ac+ia cu car! priis! .!s#!a&C'"d i r!.!"i$cu rsu*lar!a pu+i" a)i#a#$co"#i"u60Ly"da$.r!au s0l .d&Poa#! "u0i a#'# d! ru p! c'# (ici&Poa#! c p!rso"ali#a#!alui s! da#or!a( ai ul# *ac#orilor "co"%ur#ori d!c'# c!lor )!"!#ici&0E#i "!bu"$ori pri!#!"a !i$pri.i"d0o p! Toby cu oc,ii ari$"!du!ri+i&Toby ddu "c!# di" cap&

0C! ar! a *ac!: -orb!sc s!rios9 -r!au s0l .d&4! c! "u l i".i+i la ci":02" "ici u" ca($spus! Ly"da scu#ur'"d di" cap .!,!!"#&Nu0l cu"o#i&4ac i0ada c!a ai ic a#!"+i!$i0ar s#a p! cap #o# r!s#ul .i!+ii&E(i#$apoi "#r!b6 Toby$! ad!.ra#&&&: -oc!a i s! s#i"s!$d! parc "u pu#!a pro"u"+a cu.i"#!l!&0Apar!"#$da&2i "c,is! oc,ii p!"#ru u" o!"#$apoi r!spir ad'"c i co"#i"u6

i #r!bui! s0l .d&5i ai ! c!.a la car! 0a )'"di# as#(i&=cu o pau($cu#'"du0i cu.i"#!l! po#ri.i#!&C'"d 0a )'"di# p!"#ru pria da# la #a#lcopilului$i0a da# s!aa c a .r!a s r'" #o#ul aa cu ! acu$"ici "u

.oia s #iu ci"! !&O*#&Apoi$a "c!pu# s pr!ocup! cu 0a si+i dac !ua *i #a#l&3! "#oars! s0i pri.!asc pri!#!"a&Ly"da$a .r!a s #iu&Nu po# s0iasu au#oa# id!!a c oul s#a ! #ipul car! "u i0ar lua o as!!"!ar!spo"sabili#a#!&N0a .r!a s #iu c ci"!.a i ascu"d! aa c!.a&04ac +i0ar ascu"d!0o$"0ai #i "iic i "u +i0ai *ac! probl!!$spus! Ly"da&0La pria .!d!r!$"0ar! "ici u" s!"s&4ar "i!"i "u ar! dr!p#ul s ia d!ci(ii

p!"#ru o al# p!rsoa"&5#ii c! pr!r! a " pri.i"+a as#a&4ac "u .a .oi s #i!$a#u"ci a s0i spu" c a *cu# o )r!!al&2i #r!cu$abs!"#$'"a pri" bucl!l!

scur#!&O*$"u #iu$)!u !a&3u"# co"*u(&N0a .r!a s0l co"*ru"# cu si#ua+ia p!arry s#a$dar cu.a si# c #r!bui! s0o *ac&Poa#! c$a#u"ci c'"d .oi .orbi cu!l$.oi r!ui s "+!l!) c!.a di" p!rso"ali#a#!a lui&Poa#! "u .a #r!bui s0i spu""iic&O sclipir! d! "cp+'"ar! i apru " oc,i$" #ip c! o pri.i p! Ly"da&4arai "#'i #r!bui! s .orb!sc cu !l&Ly"da "+!l!s!$probabil$,o#r'r!a di" pri.ir!a

pri!#!"!i !i$p!"#ru c o*# i cl#i" di" cap&0Bi"!$dac .r!i a#'# d! ul# s0l .!(i$"! pu#! "#'l"i 'i"! la pr'"(&El ia

pr'"(ul " *i!car! (i " sala d! %os&=cu o pau(&4ar a s!"#i!"#ul c o s0+i

par ru&


12/106

04o"ul! ao"d9a8! i ridic oc,ii$surpri"s s .ad c s!cr!#ara lui i"#r" birou&0I!r#a+i0$do"ul!$dar "u a+i rspu"s la so"!ri!&4o"ul Io"!sco !s#! p! li"iau"u&A.!+i #ip s .orbi+i cu !i:

02i par! ru$4oris&3cu#ur di" cap ca p!"#ru a0i lip!(i )'"duril!&Ba da$a s.orb!sc cu !l&-('"d pri.ir!a ira# a s!cr!#ar!i "ai"#! d! a i!i$r's! "c!#&Era

pr!a b#r'" ca s .is!(! cu oc,ii d!sc,ii&&Tr!cus!r #r!i lu"i d! la p!#r!c!r!&Tr!i lu"i d! c'"d *!!ia ac!!a is#!rioas$car! *us!s! cu !l p!"#ru a#'# d! pu+i" #ip$l prsis! p! c'"d !ra sub du&=r"ici o .orb&=r u" >la r!.!d!r!?&Niic$" a*ara pa#ului r.i# car! i ar#a c*us!s! acolo&Nu$"u !ra c,iar aa&Lsas! #o#ui c!.a " ur&C!.a "u"#rul lui&

C!.a puri*ica#or&C!.a r!)!"!ra#or&5i$oriu"d! ar *i *os#$oricu ar *i *os#$iul+u!a " #c!r!&Toby uca di" sala#a .!rd!$*cu# parc di" cauciuc )!la#i"os$i pri.i cususpiciu"! pri" r!s#aura"#ul ic i lui"os&04! c! "u0i aici: i op#i Ly"d!i$*r a s! "#oarc! s o pri.!asc&Parc spu"!aic ia asa aici " *i!car! (i&0Aa0i&Nu *i ")ri%ora#$.a *i aici&2"#r!a)a cldir! s0ar prbui$dac ar d!.ia.r!oda# d! la pro)raul lui$ori Ly"da$apoi *cu o pau(&Toby$!#i si)ur

c .r!i s *aci as#a: Cr!d c #o#ui ar *i ai bi"! s "u #ii cu !&;i0ar cr!a u"!l!r!#ic!"+! " pri.i"+a copilului$"c "ai"#! d! a .!"i aici s i l! !/pri! p! al!lui&Toby r's! d! plic#is!ala di" .oc!a pri!#!"!i !i&0Niic di" #oa#! as#!a&O pri.i p! Ly"da$apoi s! ui# aiur!a$adu)'"d )'"di#oar!6Cr!d c .r!au "uai s co".i") c s0a "#'pla# cu ad!.ra#&Cu.a$po#acc!p#a copilul$dar "u i *ap#ul c&&&"),i+i "!r.os$apoi lu " )rab di" sala# 0c0a culca# cu u" brba#&0-a *i i ai )r!u p!"#ru #i"! s cr!(i as#a$c'"d ai s0l .!(i$urur Ly"da s!c&

Cr!d cu ad!.ra# c ai s r!)r!+i&Toby s#r'"s! di" u!ri&0Nu ar *i p!"#ru pria da# c'"d a *cu# c!.a c! a r!)r!#a# ul#!rior&2" plus$a.orbi# cu a"i"!


13/106

*i!r&Prul lui dr!p#$blo"d$i cd!a p! *ru"#!$iar !l "ai"#a "c!#$!r)'"d parc),!ui#&0Nu0i c,iar aa d! ru$spus! Toby "!si)ur&C!l pu+i"$"u0i pr!a scu"d&Poa#! c"ici copilul "u o s *i! u" )'"dac&

0Nu0i c,iar aa d! ru: Ly"da !ra "ruri#$Toby$! u" pl'")r!+&Nu ! .orbad! cu ara#&As#a "u ! spoial d! o si")ur )!"!ra+i!&Probabil c a *os# "!.oi!d! s!col!$d! )!"!ra+ii "#r!)i c! s0au succ!da#$ca s l *ac a#'# d! plic#isi#or p!c'# !&04ar i plac! *!lul " car! "c!rci "#o#d!au"a s pri.!#i par#!a lui"oas alucrurilor$urur TobyD iro"ic$apoi r!spir pro*u"d&M duc s discu# cu !l&2"ai"#! ca pri!#!"a !i s poa# pro#!s#a$!a s! ridic i$#ra.!rs'"d r!s#aura"#ul$s!apropi! " #ip c! !l i pu"!a #a.a p! as&

0!llo&Blo"dul o pri.i surpri"s p!"#ru u" o!"#$apoi !a pu#u .!d!a " oc,iilui$d! u" )ri #!rs$c #ia$" s*'ri#$d! u"d! s0o ia&0!llo$spus! !l "c!#$apoi s! "cru"#$ca i c'"d ar *i *os# co"*ru"#a# di"#r0oda#cu o probl!&A "uai c'#!.a i"u#!&-r!i&&&.r!i s s#ai:04a$a .r!a s discu#$spus! !a$ps#r'"du0i si)ura"+a .ocii&2i #ras! u" scau"$apoi adu)6 Po+i s "'"ci " #ipul s#a&Ea a#!p# p'" c'"d !l lu #oa#!*ar*uriil! d! p! #a. i l! ara"%a or)a"i(a#&Apoi$i #r!buir c'#!.a i"u#! ca s)s!asc u" od d! a0i ara"%a #a.a&

0Ai spus c .r!i s .orb!#i cu i"! d!spr! c!.a$spus! !l$" s*'ri#$"cru"#'"du0s! i uc'"d di"#r0u" sa"d.i&04a&Toby i"spir "ai"#! d! a co"#i"ua&4! *ap#$!s#! .orba d!spr! p!#r!c!r!a lacar! #!0a "#'l"i# i&&&i d!spr! #o#&El co"#i"u s "'"c!$*r a o pri.i$i !a"c!pu s s! si# *oar#! "!lalocul !i&Cu ar pu#!a s abord!(! subi!c#ul:0arry$a u"!l! "!clari#+i c'"d "c!rc s i ai"#!sc s!ara " car! "!0a"#'l"i#&Ea r's! "!r.os i s! si+i d! parc r'sul i s0ar *i opri# " )'#&-!(i$lua!dica!"#! i au a.u#&&&!*!c#! cola#!ral!&2"c "ici o r!ac+i! di" par#!a lui&

Co"#i"ua s "'"c!$pur i siplu&Aps'"du0i 'i"il! p! s#oac$!a i ridicbrbia cu si)ura"+&0Apar!"#$#u i cu i"!&&&.r!au s spu"&&&"!0a "+!l!s *oar#! bi"!&04a$(is! !l$sorbi"d ()oo#os cu paiul lap#!l! di" cu#i!&4a$cr!d c po+i spu"!as#a&Bi"!"+!l!s$"!cu"osc'"du0"!$"u po+i spu"! c a d!.!"i# pri!#!"i&Pri!#!"ia! c!.a car! s! d!(.ol# cu a"ii&&&sau$u"!ori$d!pi"d! d! ca(&Nu cr!(i: C'# d!spr!o s!ar plcu#$cr!d c a a.u# o s!ar plcu#$"#r0ad!.r&E plic#isi#or$spus!s! Ly"da&Oc,ii lui Toby aproap! c s! "c,id!au$c'"d a%u"s!

la par#!a car! o i"#!r!sa&


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0C!l pu+i"$" pria par#!$co"#i"u !l$'"c'"d&Nu su"# "s pr!a ul+ui# p!"#ruul#ia par#!$dar c'"d doi oa!"i "u s! cu"osc pr!a bi"!$"u #! po+i a#!p#a ca#o#ul s !ar) p!r*!c#&0Nu +i0a plcu# ul#ia par#!: urura !a "c!#&

0Nu$d!loc&-r!au s spu" c$oda# c! ai *cu#0o$c! al#c!.a #! ai poa#! i"#!r!sa:-oc!a lui d!.!"i slab i pl'")#oar!&Nu po# s i dau s!aa d! c! u"ora l!

plac! a#'# d! ul#&O,$4u"!(!ul!9 Bi!#ul !i copil l a.!a p! ac!s# "i!"i dr!p##a#&2"),i+i di" )r!u&02i par! ru c "u +i0a plcu#&4i" cau(a !a:04! *ap#$+i po+i a#ribui doar o par#! di" .i"$(is! !l$pri.i"d0o$" s*'ri#&Cr!d c

po+i spu"! c a *os# )r!!ala !a&3u"# pr!a i"#!li)!"# ca s bucur d! c!.aa#'# d! *i(ic&Nu ar *i #r!bui# s l "#'l"!asc$r!ali( Toby di"#r0oda#&2" "ici u"

ca($oul s#a "u pu#!a *i i"#!r!sa# d! *aplul c !a !ra "srci"a#&L0ar *i pu#u#au(i siorci"du0s! c "u a *os# .i"a lui&0Bi"!"+!l!s$dac ai *i ras ai ul# la p!#r!c!r!$poa#! i0ar *i plcu# ai ul#ul#ia par#!&Ea i"spir$pri.i"du0l "cr!!"i#&03#ai pu+i"9 Cu adic:05arad!l!&4up c! ai pl!ca#$a %uca# arad!&5i$.!(i$!u "u r!u!sc s "+!l!)

%ocuril! al!a pros#!#i&A cr!(u# di"#o#d!au"a c oric! p!rsoa" s!"sibil"+!l!)! cu )r!u scopul&&&Oc,ii i s! "c,is!r$o*#'"d uura#&4!ci !a "u pl!cas!

d! la p!#r!c!r! cu !l&Nu *cus! dra)os#! cu !l i "u !l !ra #a#l copilului !i&0-orbi d!spr! lup i lupul la u$spus! blo"dul$*r s i d!a s!aa d! cadoul

p! car! i0l *cus!&Toby s! ui# la !l i i urri pri.ir!a spr! brba#ul car! duc!ao #a. la asa di" c!alal# par#! a r!s#aura"#ului&Era "al# i bi"! co"s#rui#$p!acu o oar!car! !l!)a"+$iar cos#uul aro" i s! po#ri.!a ca o a doua pi!l! p!corpul usculos&Prul a#!" !ra s#rb#u# d! u.i+! ar)i"#ii i !ra uor bucla#$ai"#i"du0i d! o (!i#a#! )r!c!asc obli)a# s s! adap#!(! la lu!a od!r"&4i"#r0oda#$ca!ra dispru di" %urul !i i !a .(u o s#a#ui! di" bro"($(.!l# i

pu#!r"ic$cu li"iil! cald! s#rluci"d " lui"a dulc!&U"d! o .(us!: 5i cu d!!ra a#'# d! .i! ai"#ir!a ac!as#a: Ea i cl#i" capul di" cau(a co"*u(i!i i l

pri.i i"#r'"d "#r0u" s!par!u$d! c!alal# par#! a r!s#aura"#ului&2i ridic pri.ir!ap!"#ru u" o!"# i0i .(u oc,ii s#rluci#or d! alba#ri pri.i"d pri" r!s#aura"#$apoi s! "#oars! la #a.a di" *a a lui&Abia c'"d !/pir$i ddu s!aa$di" cau(a dur!rii$c i s! opris! r!spira+ia&Nicioda# " c!i dou(!ci i #r!i d! a"i ai si$"u*us!s! a#'# d! ad'"c a*!c#a# d! sipla .!d!r! a u"ui brba#&Era d!0"!cr!(u# iabsolu# i"!/plicabil&2" #ip c! Toby l pri.!a$si+i di"#r0oda# o s!"(a+i! ciuda#

" #o# corpul&=r s *i #iu# "iic d!spr! !l$pu#!a s si# *i(ic pu#!r!a lui


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brb#!asc i i"#!li)!"+a lui p#ru"(#oar!&Era u" s!"#i!"# ciuda#$ca ic'"d$p!"#ru u" o!"#$ar *i si+i# pr!(!"+a u"ui brba# p! car! "u l .(us!"icioda#&U" brba# car! "u a.!a "iic d! a *ac! cu .ia+a !i&Tr!c'"du0i "c!# '"a p!s#! *a+$si+i !coul "d!pr#a# al d!(ori!"#rii p! car!

o #ris! " "oap#!a ac!!a d! acu #r!i lu"i&E*!c#ul ciuda# p! car! s#ri"ul la.us!s! asupra !i "u !ra o s!"(a+i! pr!a co"*or#abil i s! lup# s scap! d! !a&2ir!"#oars! pri.ir!a la blo"dul di" *a+a !i$car! r!"c!pus! s .orb!asc&0B"ui!sc c #r!bui! s "! si+i o"ora+i c !/c!l!"+a sa$do"ul ao"d"sui$ia pr'"(ul pr!u" cu "oi$*ii"+! ai #!rs!&-oc!a lui arry !raali+ioas&Nu po# s "+!l!) d! c! ai pl!ca# d! la p!#r!c!r! cu !l$dar b"ui!sc c"u ar #r!bui s *iu surpri"s&arry s! opri i sur's! "#r0u" *!l a#o##iu#or$car! o*cu p! Toby s si# s!"(a+ii "!plcu#! d!0a lu")ul ir!i spi"rii&

04up #oa#! as#!a$d! c! +i0ai pi!rd! .r!!a cu u" co"#abil "c!p#or$c'"d l po+ia.!a p! co"#abilul !*: (is! !l&

CAPITOLUL Toby !d!a bu*"a#$"#r0o pos#ur i"co"#i!"# d! s!"(ual i i"ia "c!pu s i

ba# "!bu"!#!&Apoi s! ridic di"#r0oda# i s! "d!pr#$ls'"du0l p! arry s opri.!asc i"di)"a# p!"#ru u" o!"#$"ai"#! d! a s#r'")! di" u!ri i d! a0ico"#i"ua pr'"(ul&3! a!( la asa !i$l'") Ly"da$ul+ui# c picioar!l! "u o

lsas!r " scur#a !i #r!c!r!&P!"#ru c'#!.a clip!$si+i c "u pu#!a .orbi$c,iar dac.ia+a i0ar *i d!pi"s d! as#a&0Ei bi"!$c! a spus: op#i Ly"da$"!rbd#oar!$apl!c'"du s! spr! !a&I0ai spusd!spr!&&&0Ly"da$o "#r!rups! !a$*r s i d!a s!aa c pri!#!"a !i "c!pus! s.orb!asc&Ci"!0i la:Pri.i spr! oul di" col+ul "cp!rii$*r s i i#! capul&Blo"da s! "cru"# "!rbd#oar!$apoi$pr!lu'"d !/pr!sia surpri"s a pri!#!"!i !i$

pri.i p!s#! ur6

0Ac!la0i do"ul ao"d&acob ao"d&05#iu as#a$dar ci"! !:Toby i *r!c$"!r.oas$brbia cu pala$a#!p#'"d "!li"i#i# rspu"sul Ly"d!i&0E u"ul di"#r! .ic!pr!!di"+i&A ui#a# car!$urur Ly"da$r!arc'"d co"#i"ua")ri%orar! a lui Toby&0O,9Gura lui Toby lu *ora ac!s#ui cu.'"#$" #ip c! l pri.!a&Cu.a$i prus!ai uor c'"d i ia)i"as! c #a#l bia#ului !ra u" o obi"ui#&Nu #ia dac

pu#!a s s! apropi! d! ac!s# brba#&

0E u"a di"#r! *i)uril! d! .'r*$co"#i"u Ly"da&


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3! spu"! c .a co"duc! #o#ul " c'+i.a a"i&U"ii spu" c o *ac! d!%a$" ods!cr!#&2l pri.i$)'"di#oar!$p! oul " cau($apoi s! "#oars! spr! pri!#!"a !i&Toby$c! s! "#'pl: 4! c! !#i a#'# d! i"#!r!sa# d! !l:Toby i pri.i 'i"il!$a!(a#! p! as$apoi s! ui# spr! Ly"da i ('bi&

0Toby9 spus! blo"da cu oc,ii ri+i d! surpri(&El !:0Mda9 urur !a$pri.i"d cu u" al# brba# s! apropias! d! asa lui$p!"#ru asc,iba c'#!.a cu.i"#!&El !9Tocai a#u"ci$!l s! ridic i i *cu loc pri"ul+i!a di" r!s#aura"#&0Ly"da$#ii c!.a d!spr! !l p!rso"al:0Nuai c! a au(i# di" (.o"uri$spus! ac!as#a$cu .oc!a slab&E#i si)ur c !l !:C! a spus arry:0A spus c a pl!ca# d! la p!#r!c!r! pr!u" cu ao"d$spus! !a$apoi i

scu#ur capul p!"#ru a i0l lip!(i&3pu"!0i$Ly"da$spu"!0i oric!$c,iar i(.o"uril!&0Ar! " %ur d! #r!i(!ci d! a"i$"c!pu !a$cu .oc!a "c sub ipr!sia ocului&Apoii scu#ur capul i co"#i"u6Cr!d c lucr!a( aici d! ai bi"! d! op# a"i&Apar!"#$ao"d ! u" o d! a*ac!ri is#!+$p!"#ru c i !*ul !u ar! u" *!l d!adira+i! " .oc! c'"d .orb!#! d!spr! !l&3! apl!c$r!(!'"du0i brbia "

pal$)'"di#oar!&A *os# di.or+a# .r!o doi a"i i %u#a#! i a *os# cs#ori# .r!oci"ci a"i&A .(u#0o p! *os#a lui so+i!&E o bru"!# spl!"did$*oar#! !l!)a"#&

0Ar! copii:0Nu&C!l pu+i"$"u d! la !a&Ea #ocai ar! u"ul d! la "oul !i so+&L0a adus cu !aul#ia da# c'"d a .!"i# s l .ad&3#r'"s! di" u!ri&Mi s0a pru# u" lucru pu+i"ciuda#$dar a cr!(u# c !ra u"ul di" di.or+uril! ac!l!a pri!#!"!#i i c !a i ar#acopilul ca s0l ipr!sio"!(!&04!ci ! i"#!li)!"# i abi+ios&Al#c!.a:0Obi"ui#!l! (.o"uri d!spr! o *!!i! sau al#a car! l0ar i"#!r!sa$dar cr!d c su"#"uai b'r*!&E o +i"# "oral p!"#ru as!!"!a (.o"uri&E si)ur$ara# bi"! i$cu

po(i+ia p! car! o ar!$"u pr!a po+i pu"! ba( p! as!!"!a b'r*!&Nu a .orbi#"icioda# cu !l i "u +i po# spu"! c! *!l d! o !&5#iu doar c "i!"i "u .orb!#!.r!oda# d!spr! c'# ! d! sipa#ic$ci "uai d!spr! c'# d! ar! o d! a*ac!ri !&3!opri i ('bi ali+ioas&Iar c!i c! au i"#ra# " a#!"+ia lui$p!"#ru c au )r!i# "ac#i.i#a#!a lor$l ursc cu pasiu"!&As#a "u !ra li"i#i#or&Toby i uc bu(a

p!"#ru o s!cu"d&Nu pu#!a lua o d!ci(i! ba(a# p! (.o"uri&Nu s! pu#!a opriacu$doar p!"#ru c !ra u" o ipor#a"# " loc s *i! u"ul obi"ui#&0Toby$spus! Ly"da !(i#'"d$c! ai s *aci acu:Ea ridic di" u!ri&

0Tr!bui! s a*lu dac !l ! ac!la&C'"d i0ai spus d!spr! arry$0a )'"di# dac


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!l ar #r!bui s #i! cu.a d!spr! copil sau "u&4ar acu$#o#ul par! "!bu"!sc&5#iuc "u a *os# arry$dar "u su"# "c si)ur c a *os# ao"d&Poa#! c 0ad!spr+i# d! !l$dup c! a i!i# d! la p!#r!c!r!&2i scu#ur capul$co"*u(&0Nu #iu c! s cr!d$co"#i"u Toby&Poa#! ar #r!bui s !r) s l .d&Apoi i

ai"#i d!ci(iil! p! car! l! luas! cu o (i "ai"#! i$di"#r0oda#$ca i c'"d ci"!.ai"*i"i# ai pu#!r"ic i0ar *i co"#rola# i"#!a$s! ,o#r&0-oi !r)! s l .d c,iar acu&5i dac "u po# i"#ra " biroul lui$!i bi"!$as#a"s!a" c a *cu# o icar! )r!i#&Ea #r!ur$c'"d i ai"#i d! solidi#a#!a#rs#urilor lui d!os!bi# d! a#rac#i.! i c!.a di" #ria !i s! risipi&04ac .oi i"#ra$.oi d!cid! c! s i spu"$c'"d l .oi .!d!a&=cu o pau($aru"c'"du0i pri!#!"!i !i o pri.ir! ")ri%ora#&0C! ul# i0a*i dori# s *i *os# ai "oral&&&ai pu+i" pu#!r"ic&2"#o#d!au"a

d!.i" i"co!r!"# " pr!a%a u"ui as!!"!a #ip&0Nu #! )'"di la !l " *!lul s#a$spus! Ly"da$a!('"du0i bra+!l! p! as&4! c'#!ori si# i"#iida# d! ci"!.a$ca d! pild d! do"ul o"!s$di" si"dica#$iia)i"!( c s# " *a+a !a copl!# )ol&R's! i oc,ii !i sclipir cu iro"i!&Ia)i"!a(0+i cu ar ar#a *r ,ai"!9Trucul s#a *u"c+io"!a( "#o#d!au"a&4i"#r0o da# par obi"ui+i&&&c,iar ridicoli&Nu po+i a.!a *ric d! ci"!.a car! ara#ridicol&2+i proi# c #rucul *u"c+io"!a(&

Toby o pri.!a p! s!cr!#ara pus la pu"c# i !*ici!"# car! !d!a " spa#!l!biroului$d! c!alal# par#! a ca!r!i$dar )'"dul !i "u !ra la a#r)#oar!a *!!i!cu prul rou&Era " "#r!)i! la oul di" c!alal# "cp!r!&2" od surpri"(#or$"u a.us!s! "ici o probl! s ob+i" o "#r!.!d!r!$" ul#iul i"u#$cu acobao"d&2i !/plicas! s!cr!#ar!i c !ra ipor#a"# i p!rso"al&4up c! *!!iac,! pri" i"#!r*o"$rspu"('"d "#r!brilor pus! d! !*ul !i$aprob di" cap i ispus! c do"ul ao"d o .a pu#!a .!d!a&Acu$#ii"d c !l o .a .!d!a$"u s! pu#!a d!cid! c! i .a spu"! c'"d .a i"#ra "

birou&C,iar dac r!u!a s i co"#rol!(! !o+iil! p!"#ru a "u *i i"#iida# d! !l$c! i .a spu"!:Ar *i #r!bui# s )s!asc u" od discr!# pri" car! s a%u") lasubi!c#ul "op+ii p!#r!cu#! pr!u"$dar Toby "u r!u!a s l d!scop!r!&R!p!#as!d! "u #iu c'#! ori *ra(! )a#a *cu#!$dar su"au ridicol&04o"ioara Ba/#!r:Toby #r!sri i o .(u p! s!cr!#ar pri.i"d0o "#r!b#or&04o"ul ao"d . a#!ap#&Toby "),i+i " s!c$" #ip c! *!!ia co"#i"uas o pri.!asc&B)'"du0i '"a " po!#$co"#rola s s! asi)ur! c alu"!l! !i!rau acolo$apoi i ara"%a *us#a i "ai"#a "c!# spr! ua ar! di" c!llal# cap# al

ca!r!i&3! opri$i "corda uc,ii$apoi i"#r$#r)'"d ua "c!# dup !a&


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Lui"a s#rluci#oar! car! .!"!a di"spr! *!r!s#r!l! ari o orbi p!"#ru u" o!"#i !a s! opri c,iar l'") u&Apoi l .(u&5!d!a la u" birou di" l!" d! s#!%ar$cucapul apl!ca# p!s#! ,'r#ii&Lui"a soar!lui car! #r!c!a pri" *!r!s#r! i lui"au.i+!l! aurii di" pr&Pu#!a .!d!a riduril! spa#! ad'"c p! *ru"#!a lui$" #ip c!

s! co"c!"#ra i"#!"s la ,'r#iil! d! p! birou&El "u o pri.i c'"d !a s! apropi!$dar ii"dic$pri"#r0u" )!s# .a) al 'i"ii$s s! a!(! " scau"ul di" pi!l! di" *a+a

biroului&Ea a#!p# rbd#oar! c'#!.a s!cu"d!$apoi li"i#!a d!.!"i pr!aaps#oar! p!"#ru sis#!ul !i "!r.os i "c!pu s i ro#!asc d!)!#!l!&Poa#!#o#ui "u *us!s! o id!! pr!a bu" s .i" acolo&4! c! s *i acc!p#a# !l c ! #a#lcopilului: Poa#! c ura copiii&2" plus$*us!s! cs#ori# ci"ci a"i i "u a.us!s! "iciu" copil&2l pri.i$")ri%ora#$" #ip c! !l co"#i"ua s s! ui#! pri" ,'r#ii&s#a "u!ra #ipul d! brba# p! car! s0l carac#!ri(!(i dr!p# u" >bia# d! #r!ab?&s#a !ra

u" brba# car! #! i"#iida cu o si")ur pri.ir!&.initete"te,i spuse ea&u te gndi la el ca la un brbat*ndete"te la el cala un adolescent mai mare4ar$cu.a$!a "u i0l pu#!a ia)i"a al#*!l d!c'# ca p! u" brba#&Ia)i"!a(0+i0l)ol$spus!s! Ly"da&E u" succ!s )ara"#a#&Oc,ii !i #r!cur p!s#! ac!a par#! a corpului lui car! !ra !.id!"# d!asupra

biroului&To# c!!a c! a.!a d! *cu# !ra s i0l ia)i"!(! *r ,ai"a ac!!a aro"$!l!)a"#$*r caa d! u" albas#ru d!sc,is&2i ia)i" pi!p#ul lar)$bro"(a#$i

bra+!l! usculoas! acop!ri#! d! pr auriu "cr!+i#&2i ia)i"&&),umnezeule$i (is!$as#a ! o micare greit&3coas! r!p!d! di" po!# pu")acu alu"! i "c!pu s o d!s*ac&04o"ioar Ba/#!r&R!cu"oa#!r!a brusc a pr!(!"+!i !i o *cu s #r!sar$ca ic'"d !l ar *i lo.i#0o d!0a dr!p#ul$cu cu.i"#!l!&Corpul !i #r!sri ca o r!ac+i! la.oc!a lui %oas&Iar icar!a *cu s0i sar alu"!l! pri" a!r&2"c!pu s l! adu"! p!c!l! car! sris!r " poala !i i p! scau"$aru"c'"d o pri.ir! #ris# c!lor car!a%u"s!s!r p! pod!a&

02i par! ru$spus! !a$s#r'")'"d di" u!ri&M0ai sp!ria#&Ls'"du0s! "c!# p! spa#!$" scau"ul d! pi!l!$!l co"#i"ua$pur i siplu$s o

pri.!asc$*r s spu" u" cu.'"#&2"),i+i"d "!r.os$!a i pr!u" 'i"il! "poal&04o"ul! ao"d$"u #iu dac . ai"#i+i d! i"!&04a$i ai"#!sc d! du"!a#a$o "#r!rups! !l pri.i"d " %os$la cr!io"ul p! car! l+i"!a "#r! d!)!#!l! bro"(a#!&4! *ap#$#!0a r!cu"oscu# " r!s#aura"#&M "#r!b"uai d! c! "u #!0ai apropia# a#u"ci&Podul "urul u"u *us!s! #r!cu#&2i ai"#!a

d! !a&4ar c! i ai"#!a:


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0Eu&&&Eu .roia s . .orb!sc "#r! pa#ru oc,i$s! b'lb'i !a$uor !"!r.a# d!!/pr!sia lui dis#a"#&2i ridic pri.ir!a i l .(u a#!p#'"d0o s co"#i"u!&2"),i+i" s!c&E .orba d!spr! p!#r!c!r!a la car! "!0a "#'l"i#&Ea a#!p# u" rspu"s&Apoi$"#ruc'# "iic "u s! "#'pla$co"#i"u !(i#'"d6

04! *ap#$! .orba d!spr! c! s0a "#'pla# dup p!#r!c!r!&&&04o"ioar Ba/#!r$"u r!u!sc s "+!l!) d! c! su"#!+i aici&3! apl!c "ai"#!$cu ac!!ai !/pr!si! ip!"!#rabil$pro*u"(i!a oc,ilor luialba#ri iobili('"d0o&02i ai"#!sc c "!0a "#'l"i# la p!#r!c!r!a lui Ro" As,l!y$co"#i"u !l&2iai"#!sc c a !rs pr!u"$spr! casa !a$dup ac!!a&2i ridic o spr'"c!a"&5i as#a c! "s!a":Podul "urul doi&Co"*iras! "u "uai *ap#ul c pl!cas!r pr!u" d! la

p!#r!c!r!$dar i c !rs!s!r pr!u" spr! casa lui&Nu !ra "ici o "doial d!da#a as#a&Ac!s#a !ra #a#l copilului !i&Ea s! a!( i l obs!r. cu cal&U" copilcu prul blo"d: U" copil "al#: 4i"#r0oda#$s! "cru"#&U" copil "cp+'"a#$car!i"#iid!a(&Pri.i cu i ai ar! a#!"+i! *or!l! lui solid!&U" copil s"#os9;i"'"du0s! d! bra+!l! scau"ului !i$spus! cu *ra"c,!+!604o"ul! ao"d$a !/is#a# .r!oda# .r!u" ca( d! "!bu"i! " *ailiadu"!a.oas#r: 3au boli !r!di#ar!:2" s*'ri#$asca lui$d! cal apar!"#$c(u i !a .(u$*asci"a#$cu !/pr!sia lui

d!.i"! .i!$p!"#ru pria da# d! c'"d i"#ras! " ca!r&Pr!a surpri"s i#rs#uril! lui !rau pli"! d! curio(i#a#!&5i p'" acu pr!a u" brba# a#r)#or&4ar acu o lsas! *r su*lar!&0C!0a+i spus:P'" i .oc!a i !ra di*!ri#&-d!a o !o+i! si"c!r&C,iar dac!o+ia #rda "!rbdar! sau *rus#rar!$!ra$oricu$o !o+i! car! pu#!a *ir!cu"oscu#&P!"#ru u" o!"#$s! )'"dis! c ar *i pu#u# s #r!ac pri" #oa#!as#!a&Pr!a a#'# d! ua" acu$a#'# d! abordabil&Apoi$s! )'"di cu ar *i r!.!"i#la *i)ura di"ai"#!$dac i0ar spu"! c !ra "srci"a#$i cura%ul o prsi copl!#&

Nu o pu#!a *ac!&Ridic'"du0s!$urur602i par! ru&M0a r()'"di#&Apoi s! "#oars! i o por"i spr! u&I"#r'"d " c!llal# birou$ddu di" cap "spr! s!cr!#ar i pi spr! i%locul"cp!rii&Apoi !(i#&Nu pu#!a pl!ca&N0o pu#!a *ac! p'" c! !l "0ar *i co"*ira#!.!"i!"#!l! di" ac!a s!ar$iar !a "u s0ar *i co".i"s p!rso"al c lui "u i0ar *i

psa# dac i0ar *i spus ad!.rul d!spr! *ap#ul c !ra "srci"a#&-!"is! aicip!"#ru u" o#i. i "u pu#!a pl!ca$doar p!"#ru c !l "u *us!s! a#'# d! d!sc,is p!c'# i0ar *i dori#&2"#orc'"du0s!$s! "apoi! la ua lui i o d!sc,is! p!"#ru a pri.i

"u"#ru discr!#&El ai !d!a "c la birou$pri.i"d spr! u$ca i c'"d ar *i #iu#


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c !a s! .a "#oarc!&3#r'")'"d di" u!ri r!s!"a#$bu(!l! i s! curbar "#r0u"('b!# ic i cura%os c'"d "ai"#a p!"#ru a #!ri"a discu+ia "c!pu#604o"ul! ao"d$"c!pu !a abrup#&Luas! "i#! !dica!"#! " "oap#!aac!!a i a a.u# o&&&r!ac+i! ciuda#&E(i#$uc'"du0i bu(a$apoi i s#r'"s!

pu"ii i co"#i"u6Ad!.rul ! c "u i ai"#!sc s . *i "#'l"i# " "oap#!aac!!a&Nu i ai"#!sc "iic di" #o# c! s0a "#'pla#&5i&&&i a apr!cia d!os!bi#dac du"!a.oas#r a+i&&&!i bi"!$dac 0a+i pu"! la cur!"# cu c! s0a "#'pla#&=r a i"#ra pr!a ul# " d!#alii$adu) !a$uor "!r.oas&3! si+i %!"a#$c'"d !l i ls scau"ul p! spa#! i o pri.i " #c!r! p!"#ru u"#ip&2" s*'ri#$"c!pu s .orb!asc$p! u" #o" li"i#i# i "#r0u" *!l r!c!&0Nu +i ai"#!#i: 4i"#r0oda# u" ('b!# ciuda# i apru p! bu(! i Toby si+i ci"ia !i #r!sar!&2" ac!l scur# o!"#$!a "#r!(ri o a"u! .ul"!rabili#a#! la !l$

car! o surpri"s!&Nu i pu#!a ia)i"a u" brba# i$cu a#'# ai pu+i" u"ul a#'# d!pu#!r"ic i au#ori#ar ca&ac!s#a$si+i"du0s! .ul"!rabil&Cu #oa#! as#!a$!ra si)urc .(us! as#a " oc,ii lui&3! pr!a c i *us!s! da# s .ad as#a cu u" a"ui#scop&Oului s#uia i .a psa&0Cr!d c c!!a c! i c!r!+i$do"ioar&&&car! !s#! priul dui#al! "u!:0Toby&0Ei bi"!$Toby$cr!d c c!!a c! .r!i s #ii !s#! dac a *cu# sau "u dra)os#!&Ea "),i+i ()oo#os i aprob di" cap&

0Po# s "+!l!) as#a&El ('bi i sc,ibar!a car! a.u loc " #rs#uril! lui produs!u" !*!c# ,ip"o#ic asupra !i$piro"i"du0i pri.ir!a asupra bu(!lor lui s!"(ual!&0C!!a c! "u po# "+!l!)!$co"#i"u !l$!s#! s!"#i!"#ul c par! a#'# d! ipor#a"#

p!"#ru du"!a#a s #ii as#a&3! apl!c "ai"#! " scau" i r's! scur#&4ar$cu "u!s#! #r!aba !a$+i .oi spu"! oricu&4a$a *cu# dra)os#!&=cu o pau( i('bi&4! *ap#$a *cu# dra)os#! d! c'#!.a ori&T! a%u# as#a cu c!.a:

ac m a-ut: "),i+i " s!c),doamne/Ea .ois! o ul#i co"*irar!$dar "ucr!(us! c doar c'#!.a cu.i"#! po# cr!a o di*!r!"+ d! #!p!ra#ur a#'# d! r!p!d!

" corpul !i&04a$spus! !a p! "!rsu*la#!&4a$ul+u!sc&As#a ! #o# c! .oia s #iu&E(i#$apoi"c,is! oc,ii i aru"c *ra(a604! c! "u ai a.u# copii cu *os#a so+i!:2l au(i r!spir'"d )r!u&C'"d si+i c biroul s! uplu d! o #!"siu"! aproap! d!"!supor#a#$d!sc,is! oc,ii "c!#&Oc,ii lui !rau acu "c,ii i li"ii dur! !rauipria#! p! *a+a lui&=r s s! ai )'"d!asc$!a co"#i"u602i par! ru$"u !s#! #r!aba !a&4ar .oia s #iu c! *!l d! o !#i i dac +i0ar

psa .r!oda# d! a"ui#! lucruri&2i u!(i bu(!l!$"!r.oas$co"#i!"# c i


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cap#as! acu "#r!a)a a#!"+i!&Ai pu#!a r!)r!#a *ap#ul c +i0a .orbi# d!spr!as#a&Ba$ai ul#$l0ai pu#!a co"sid!ra u" lucru s#'"%!"i#or&Ea r's! s#i"),!ri#&N0a*os# c!.a la car! s *i a#!p#a#$.r!au s spu" c "ici car "u i ai"#!sc c!s0a "#'pla#$d!ci "u +i po+i ia)i"a c'# d! surpri"s a *os# c'"d$!r)'"d la

.i(i#a !a obi"ui#$i s0a spus c su"# )ra.id " #r!i lu"i&Era a#'# d! pri"s d! )'"duril! !i$c aproap! pi!rdus! !/pr!sia d! p! *a+a lui

pu#!r"ic&0dioato/'e mod de a"i spune/1r !i putut la !el de bine s"i !i trimis otelegram pe note muzicale5ocul d! p! *a+a lui o "),!+a " scau"&Apoi$ocul *u"locui# "c!# d! o pri.ir! ciuda#$pli" d! dori"+$apoi suspiciu"!$i$" s*'ri#$'"i! "!a)r$"spi'"##oar!&03pui c "u +i ai"#!#i "iic: Cu.i"#!l! "u s! pu#!au l!)a " )'#ul !i&Ea s!cu*u"d i ai ul# " scau"ul ar! i siplu$i cl#i"a capul cu o icar!

"c!a#$"!)a#i.&0A#u"ci$scu(0 c su"# a#'# d! *ra"c$spus! !l cu .oc!a "),!+a# d! !o+i!$darcu po+i #i c a *os# si")urul brba# cu car! ai *cu# dra)os#! " "oap#!aac!!a: Ea s! r!#ras! " *a a duri#+ii lui&Apoi$"c!#$o !/pr!si! d! surpri"d!r! #r!cu p! *a+a !i&0Ai dr!p#a#!$spus! !a pi")'"du0s! "apoi " scau"&Nici "u 0a )'"di# laas#a&Nu po# #i cu ad!.ra# c! s0a "#'pla#&3c,ibar!a di" !a$" "oap#!a ac!!a$*us!s! a#'# d! dras#ic$aa c s! pu#!a )'"di

c *us!s! i ai dras#ic d!c'# cr!(us!&5i dac !l a.!a "!.oi! d! i!ir! di"si#ua+ia as#a$!a ar *i *os# *!rici# s i asi)ur! u"a&0A#u"ci$poa#! c "u !#i du"!a#a #a#l$la ura ur!i$op#i !a surpri"s&Nu pu#us0i ascu"d r!la/ar!a di" .oc!&Nu #! ai )'"di la as#a$spus! !a " #ip c!

prs!a ca!ra$si+i"du0s! cu c'#!.a su#! d! 8ilo)ra! ai uoar&=cu doar c+i.a pai pri" biroul s!cr!#ar!i$c'"d i si+i bra+ul pri"s ca "#r0o!"),i"&2" #c!r! i cu a)ili#a#!$!l o "#oars! " biroul lui i #r'"#i ua dup !a&0Nu po+i s i"#ri$s aru"ci o as!!"!a bob i apoi s #! scu(i cu u" >"u #! ai

)'"di?$spus! !l cu o .oc! )ra.&Nu a spus c "u !s#! copilul !u&A spus"uai c poa#! "u su"# si")urul ca"dida# la pa#!r"i#a#!&O co"dus! spr! scau"$apoi o pri.i p'" c'"d s! a!(&2"#orc'"du0s!$!l i #r!cu d!)!#!l! pri" pr$apois! "#oars! p!"#ru a o pri.i dir!c#&0La c! or ai a%u"s acas " "oap#!a aia:0A&&&"c!pu !a$apoi #ui s!c&Nu #iu&Cr!d c "#r! pa#ru i ci"ci dii"!a+a&P!"#ru u" o!"#$!l "u s! ic&Apoi i"spir pu#!r"ic i pri.i p'"(a cii luid! u" albas#ru d!sc,is$"#i"('"du0i0s! p!s#! pi!p#&

0Ai prsi# casa !a la pa#ru i %u#a#!$spus! !l s!c&


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0O,9Ea s! ic p! scau"$sur'"du0l cu pri.ir!a p! sub )!"!l! "!)r!$lu")i&A#u"ci s! par! c !#i #u&Ea a#!p# u" o!"# ca !l s "cu.ii"+!(!$apoi$cu !l ras! #cu#$"c!pu s si# c ar *i #r!bui# s0l *i a%u#a# s s!r!la/!(! cu.a&

02i par! ru dac as#a #! *ac! s #! si+i s#'"%!"i#$dar "u #r!bui! s *aci"iic&;i0a spus #oa#! as#!a "uai p!"#ru c a "c!rca# s i ia)i"!( cu0a si+i dac a *i u" brba# car! ar a.!a u" copil d!spr! car! "u ar #i&Nui0ar *i plcu#&5i$bi"!"+!l!s$p!"#ru c a"i"! a *os# d! acord cu i"! c ar#r!bui s0+i spu"&0a"i"!: "#r!b !l surpri"s&0Psi,ia#ra !a&Ea i0a spus c 0a si+i .i"o.a# dac a +i"! #o#ul ascu"s d!du"!a#a&A ai spus c$"#'l"i"du0#!$as#a 0ar a%u#a s i ai"#!sc c! s0a

p!#r!cu#&4ar "u s0a "#'pla# aa&5i$d!ci$"u !ra "!.oi! s #! d!ra"%!(&Ea s! ridic$i #!rs! 'i"il! d! *us# i i lu po!#a60Mai !ra c!.a c! ai *i .ru# s #ii:4ac "u$ar #r!bui s !r) s o .d p! a"i"!$acu&-oia s i a*l! r!ac+iil! la "#'l"ir!a "oas#r&Ea s! opri i l pri.i)'"di#oar!&Ai pu#!a *ac! c!.a "!obi"ui#: Ea ! "#o#d!au"a d!(a)i#$c'"d "us! "#'pla "iic "!obi"ui#&El o pri.i p!"#ru o clip$ca i c'"d ar *i *os# c(u# d! p! al# pla"!#$apoi *a+alui s! sc,ib "c!# i ipr!.i(ibil&2"c!pu s r'd&3u"!#ul pro*u"d i pu#!r"ic

uplu ca!ra$cu o cldur p! car! !a "u ar *i asocia#0o "icioda# cu ac!s# o&0Nu0i .i"! " cap "ici u" lucru "!obi"ui#$c,iar acu$spus! !l "c r'('"d&Ia

po.!s#!a as#a c'# s! poa#! d! "oral$"u cr!(i:2i *r!c brbia cu pala&02i ia)i"!( c poa#! s par aa$aprob !a$dar #r!bui! s0+i dai s!aa c "0aa.u# "c #ip s obi"ui!sc cu !a&'bi&P! l'") as#a$"u par! s *i!"icioda# su*ici!"# #ip ca s pl'") d! c!!a c! i s! "#'pla&To# #ipuli0l p!#r!c "c!rc'"d s supor#&Acu$c #iu "#r0ad!.r c .oi a.!a u" copil$aa#'#!a d! *cu#9 #!ri" !a$cu .oc!a s#i")'"du0s! " #ip c! )'"duril! !i *ur

pri"s! " #o#ali#a#! d! pla"uril! !i " pri.i"+a copilului&El s! apropi! "c!# i i ridic brbia$*or+'"d0o s pri.!asc " sus spr! !l&0Toby Ba/#!r$cr!d c !#i c!a ai *oridabil !/p!ri!"+ p! car! a a.u#0o "a#' ia a"i$urur !l$#rii+'"du0i *iori d!0a lu")ul ir!i spi"rii&A cr!(u# aa "c di" "oap#!a " car! #!0a "#'l"i#$dar as#(i po# spu"! c a co"*irar!a#o#al&Apoi$aproap! si+i c apropi!r!a lui o *c!a s s! si# s#'"%!"i# i$*r"ici u" cu.'"#$s! r!#ras! cu u" pas i spus!60Tr!bui! s ai .orbi&Toby$b"ui!sc c ai co"sul#a# d!%a u" doc#or&U" doc#or

bu"&Ea aprob di" cap&


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04oc#ori+a Ma#,ias ! doc#orul !u d! "ou a"i&E c!a ai bu"&0Bi"!&A#u"ci a .r!a s "! .!d! dis!ar&C'"d o .(u "cru"#'"du0s!$co"#i"ur!p!d!6A.! d! discu#a#$Toby&Ai cr!(u# c !ra ipor#a"# s a*lu d!spr! copil&&&i a *os#&Nu po# s ui# as#a$pur i siplu$acu&Ea l pri.i$apoi s! ui# aiur!a&

04a$cr!d c ai dr!p#a#!&=cu o pau( i l pri.i cu sp!ra"+&Cr!d c "! pu#!"#'l"i u"d!.a&El ('bi " *!lul car! i d!.!"is! d!%a *ailiar&0As#a "u ! c!.a car! s! poa#! discu#a la u" (conaldLa i"! sau la #i"!:"#r!b !l ,o#r'#&3i+i"d *!ri#a#!a di" .oc!a lui$!a o*# di" )r!u&0Bi"!$s (ic! la i"!&3u"d!rla"d$apar#a!"#ul "urul 1F&Ea s! "#oars!

brusc spr! u&0-oi *i acolo la op#&Ea s! opri i l pri.i p!s#! ur&

CAPITOLUL a8! i brc ,ai"a$apoi s! a!( co"*or#abil p! scau"ul di" *a+a biroului.!c,iului su pri!#!" i doc#or p!rso"al$M!l La"d!rs&Pri.i"du0i " #r!c!r!ci(!l! lus#rui#!$!l a#!p#a ca M!l s s! a!(!$"ai"#! d! a0l pri.i&04!ci .r!i s spui c$d!i "u par! probabil$!s#! #o#ui posibil$spus! a8! cal&Pri!#!"ul su ('bi&04! *ap# a !.i#a# s0 i spu"&M "#r!b "uai c! .r!i s a*li d! la i"!$a8!60-r!au ad!.rul&A#'# i "iic ai ul#&M!l s! ls p! spa#! " scau" i i"spir

"c!#&04! acord$ia# c! !&Nurul sp!ra#o(oi(ilor !s#! "c ic&3i#ua+ia "u s0asc,iba# i "u po# s "u +i" s!aa d! as#a "uai p!"#ru c #u .r!i u"&copil&=cuo pau($apl!c'"du0s! "ai"#! p!"#ru a0i a!(a bra+!l! p! birou i adu) cu o.oc! %oas6 a8!$"u po# acc!p#a spus!l! u"!i *!#! car! +i i"#r " birou dir!c# di"s#rad&0Nu ! c,iar oric! *a#&A *cu# dra)os#! cu !a$M!l&4ac !#i i"#!r!sa# d!ad!.r$s#a "u ! u"ul car! poa#! *i sc,iba#&5i dac !/is# c,iar i o a"s

i"i ca ac!s# copil s *i! al !u$"u o po# i)"ora&Pri.i"d la *i)ura "cru"#a# apri!#!"ului su$adu)6 5#iu la c! #! )'"d!#i&Cr!(i c al!ar) dup ba"i&2" #ip c! M!l co"#i"ua s l pri.!asc " li"i#!$a8! s! *oia "!li"i#i# " scau"&0Bi"!$spus! a8!$adi# c aa c!.a ! posibil$dar$"#r0u" *!l$"u po# cr!d! c !i"#!r!sa#&Ar *i #r!bui# s o "#'l"!#i$ca s +i dai s!aa c a dr!p#a#!&R's! d!oda#$ai"#i"du0i d! sc!"a cu alu"!l! car! "c ai (c!au p! co.oruldi" biroul lui&0Nu ! "iic ar#i*icial la !a$M!l&Nu ! .orba doar d! *ap#ul c ! #'"r&E #o#al

si"c!r&Nu po+i po(a odul !i ci"s#i# d! a *i$aa cu a .(u#0o as#(i&El s#r'"s!


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di" u!ri c'"d l .(u p! M!l pri.i"du0l cu u" a!r ciuda# i s! r!#ras! "apoi "scau"$!/#r! d! s#i"),!ri#&0E#i d!cis s acc!p+i copilul s#a ca p! al #u$"u0i aa: "#r!b M!l scu#ur'"d di"cap&Cu #oa#! c +i0a !/plica# car! ! si#ua+ia i #u i0ai spus c "ici *a#a "u #i!

!/ac# c! s0a "#'pla# " "oap#!a ac!!a&a8! aprob ('bi"d$"!plc'"du0i *!lul" car! pri!#!"ul su s! r!*!ris! la Toby&0O c,!a Toby$M!l$! o *ii"+ r!al$"u .r!o *!#ica" car! "c!arc s iaru"c! c!.a " c'rc&0Ei bi"!$Toby "u #i! !/ac# c! s0a "#'pla# " "oap#!a ac!!a$s! cor!c#M!l&-orb!#! cu doc#orul !i$a8!&4ac Toby spu"! ad!.rul$"u ai c! pi!rd!$"oric! ca(&=ii si)ur c !s#! o"!s#&&&i " #oa#! i"+il!&02" #oa#! i"+il!:

04i" c! i0ai spus$*a#a par! s *i! bol"a.&Poa#! cr!d! " c!.a c! "u !s#! r!al&2ipri.i 'i"il!&A*l c! *!l d! o !s#!&3pui c "u ar *i pu#u# *i cu o al# p!rsoa"dup #i"!$dar as#a "u "s!a" c "u a *os# cu o du(i" " sp#'"a d! di"ai"#!d! a #! cu"oa#!&3! opri i o*#$" #ip c! a8! l pri.!a '"ios&C!l pu+i"$+i s!

poa#! co"*ira s#adiul sarci"ii !i&Ci"! !s#! doc#orul !i:04oc#ori+a Ma#,ias&M!l aprob&0E o doc#ori+ d!os!bi# d! bu"&A a.!a "cr!d!r! " oric! +i0ar spu"!&2i pri.idi" "ou 'i"il!$" #ip c! a8! s! pr!)#!a s pl!c!&5i$a8!&&&

a8! s! opri "c "cru"#a# i pri.i " %os$spr! M!l&02"#ruc'# .d c !#i d!cis s cr!(i c copilul !s#! al #u$poa#! c as#a #! .a a%u#a&3coas! u" %ur"al !dical d! sub u" #!a"c d! ,'r#ii i i0l "#i"s! lui a8!&0C!0i as#a:0E aici u" ar#icol d!spr! *!r#ili#a#!&C'#!.a lucruri "oi&4oc#orii cr!d c )radul d!!/ci#a+i!$dori"+a si+i# d! u" cuplu$ar! c!.a d! a *ac! cu *!r#ili#a#!a&Apar!"#$cr!#!r!a libidoului *ac! s cr!asc "urul d! sp!ra#o(oi(i la brba+i$" #ip c! *luidul s!cr!#a# d! *!!i! o *ac! ai r!c!p#i. la sp!r&

2l pri.i p! a8! ai ul# cu curio(i#a#!$d!c'# pro*!sio"al&05i #u cr!(i c as#a poa#! *i .alabil " ca(ul !u:0To#ul !s#! posibil$spus! M!l$('bi"d lui"i+!i car! cr!scus! " oc,ii lui a8!&4ac s#a !s#! ca(ul #u$a#u"ci #o#ul par! a *i i ai posibil&2"c!#$u" ('b!# #r!cu

p!s#! *i)ura pu#!r"ic a lui a8!$)'"di"du0s! la "oap#!a p!#r!cu# cu Toby$apoiurur604ac )radul d! dori"+ ar! c!.a d! a *ac! cu *!r#ili#a#!a$a#u"ci ! ai ul# d!c'#o sipl posibili#a#!&


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Ca!ra d! a#!p#ar! di" icu+a cli"ic a doc#ori+!i Ma#,ias$pli" d! pla"#! icr+i$!ra co"*or#abil&Nu a.!a #ipul s#a"dard d! obil di" obi"ui#!l! sli d!a#!p#ar!$car! i ai"#!a d! #ua sa$3op,i!&3##!a cu spa#!l! spr! "cp!r!$

pri.i"d .!.!ri+!l! al!r)'"d " sus i " %os$p! copacul acop!ri# d! i!d!r$d! l'")

*!r!as#r$" #ip c! i a#!p#a r'"dul&C'"d spus!s! c #!l!*o"as! " l!)#ur cu Toby$s!cr!#ara i0o ddus! i!dia# p!doc#ori+a Ma#,ias$car! pru i"#!r!sa#$ba c,iar "!rbd#oar! s i )s!asc oor$u"d!.a$" cal!"darul !i$i aa pli"&a8! "u !ra "c'"#a# d! suspiciu"il! p! car! M!l i l! b)as! " cap&&&i as#a l")ri%ora&=a#a "u "s!"a "iic p!"#ru !l&A#u"ci d! c!$!l$a8! ao"d c!l

pr!cau#$!ra a#'# d! dispus s cr!ad *i!car! cu.'"# p! car! i0l spus!s! Toby:Oar!$aa cu i su)!ras! M!l$p!"#ru c aba"do"as! #oa#! sp!ra"+!l! d! a ai *i

.r!oda# #a#: 3au poa#! !ra c!.a la Toby "si car! l a#r)!a$*c'"du0l scr!ad c !ra a#'# d! o"!s# p! c'# pr!a:2"ai"#! d! a co"#i"ua pu((l!0ul$#'"ra s!cr!#ar l c,!$apoi l co"dus! spr!

biroul doc#ori+!i Ma#,ias&Nu a.u #ip "ici s s! a!(!$c'"d o *!!i! " %ur d!ci"ci(!ci d! a"i i"#r " ca!r&Prul !i ar)i"#iu s! asor#a cu ra!l! oc,!larilorari i p#ra+i$a!(a+i %os$p! "as&04o"ul! ao"d9spus! !a "#i"('"du0i '"a$su"# "c'"#a# s #! "#'l"!sc&

Nu a.!a "ici u" *!l d! id!! d!spr! as#a$"ai"#! d! a su"a i a spu"! c Toby

a.!a d! )'"d s ia l!)#ura cu du"!a#a&2i i"dic u" scau" *ruos #api+a#$apoi s!a!( " spa#!l! biroului di" col+ul "cp!rii&0E ad!.ra# c i0a #!l!*o"a# as!ar s i spu" c .r!a s ps#r!(! copilul "od si)ur$adu) !a&2"cru"#'"du0s!$!l s! ridic p! %u#a#!$apoi s! r!a!(&0Oar! s0a )'"di# .r!oda# i la al# posibili#a#!:4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias ('bi&0Toby: i par! ru$dar "u&0- par! ru: "#r!b !l$surpri"s$si+i"d c0i #r!sar! i"ia&Oar! o sarci" ar *i

p!riculoas p!"#ru !a:4oc#ori+a i scoas! oc,!larii i i as ba(a "asului$c!!a

c! pr!a a *i ai ul# u" #ic&Pr!a s s! )'"d!asc la "#r!bar!a lui&2" c!l! di"ur$spus!60Nu$di" pu"c# d! .!d!r! *i(ic&M!"#al&&&"u su"# si)ur&'bi di"#r0oda# i prucu ci"ci a"i ai #'"r&A o b"uial c ar *i !/ac# c!!a c! ar! "!.oi!&0Nu "+!l!) la c! . r!*!ri+i$dar$oricu$"u #iu pr!a ul#! d!spr! Toby&E(i# oclip&- da+i s!aa c "u a ai "#'l"i#0o "ai"#!&&&"ai"#! d! "oap#!a ac!!a&C'"d !a aprob di" cap$!l co"#i"u&0A .r!a s a*lu ai ul#! d!spr! Toby$"ai"#! d! a #i c! s *ac " si#ua+ia as#a&

A .r!a s #iu c! *!l d! p!rsoa" !s#!&


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05i$poa#! c ai .r!a s #ii dac copilul !s#! cu ad!.ra# al dui#al!$i su)!r !a('bi"d cal&El s! ic s#i"),!ri# p! scau"&0Ar ai *i i al#! posibili#+i$as#a .r!+i s spu"!+i:Ea l pri.i *i/ p!"#ru u" o!"#$apoi (is!6

0A pl!ca# cu al#ci"!.a d! la p!#r!c!r!$"ai"#! d! a o *ac! cu du"!a#a:El s! "cru"#60Nu$"u a *cu#0o&0A#u"ci "u !/is# "ici o al# posibili#a#!$spus! !a$cu o .oc! cal i d!cis&Toby*us!s! .ir)i" "ai"#!a ac!l!i "op+i&Cu.i"#!l! !i l lo.ir ca o pal " *a+ i !ls! a!( "apoi p! scau"$"c!rc'"d s i r!.i" di" lo.i#ur&0O .ir&&&dar "u s! poa#! s *i *os#$")i !l&-!d!+i$doa" doc#or$as#a "u ar *i*os# c!.a p!s#! car! s *i #r!cu# cu .!d!r!a&Nu a obic!iul s *ac dra)os#! cu

.ir)i"!l!&Nu pu#!a cr!d! c!!a c! i spu"!a *!!ia ac!as#a$apoi$di"#r0oda#$iai"#i c'# d! #'"r$c'# d! i"oc!"# i prus! Toby " birou$" (iua ac!!a&2i*cus! o cu #o#ul al# ipr!si! d!spr! !a d!c'# cu #r!i lu"i " ur&A#u"ci *us!s!o *!!i! s!duc#oar! i is#!rioas$u" .is p! car! "u l cu"oscus!$la car! "ua.us!s! "ici car cura%ul s .is!(!&0Toby !s#! paci!"#a !a d! ul# #ip$do"ul! ao"d$co"#i"u !a$s#r!cur'"du0s! pri"#r! )'"duril! lui co"*u(!&5i o cu"osc ai bi"! d!c'# p!a%ori#a#!a paci!"+ilor !i&Nu po+i s#a " pr!a%a !i pr!a ul# #ip$*r s *ii

#o#al cuc!ri# d!&&&,&&&p!rso"ali#a#!a !i u"ic&2l .(u cu asiila c!!a c! i spu"!a !a$apoi co"#i"u60A a.u# u" accid!"#$c'"d !ra d! (!c! a"i$car! i0a rup# ,i!"ul&4ar "u a *cu#"icioda# dra)os#!$"ai"#!a ac!l!i "op+i p!#r!cu#! cu du"!a#a&4ac po+iacc!p#a$a#u"ci +i dau cu.'"#ul !u " l!)#ur cu as#a&O cu"osc p! Toby ai

bi"! d!c'# aa !i$d!ci "u !s#! o si#ua+i! " car! "c!rc s ),ic!sc cu s#aulucruril!&El ras! #cu# p!"#ru u" o!"#$a"ali('"d c!l! spus! d! !a&Eraua#'#!a lucruri la car! #r!buia s s! )'"d!asc&-!"is! aici ca s a*l! ai ul#!

d!spr! Toby Ba/#!r$dar "u i "c,ipuis! "icioda# c! ul#! a.!a s a*l!&4i"#r0oda#$)'"duril! lui s! u#ar d! la *ap#ul d! "!cr!(u# al .ir)i"i#+ii !i$lac!.a c! i spus!s! doc#ori+a ai d!.r!!&0A+i spus c "u su"#!+i si)ur dac "u cu.a sarci"a o .a a*!c#a !"#al$i i0a+ispus c !r)! la u" psi,a"alis#$urur !l )'"di#or&Ar! .r!o probl!:3au$pur i siplu$l co"sul# p!"#ru c ! la od:4oc#ori+a s! #ras! " scau" ir's!&0Toby "u *ac! "icioda# "iic doar p!"#ru c !s#! la od&4! *ap#$ar *ac! #o#

posibilul s *ac !/ac# i".!rs&4ac . )'"di+i c ar! probl!! !"#al!$a#u"ci


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rspu"sul !s#! "u&E$probabil$ai " #oa#! i"+il! d!c'# "ou(!ci la su# di"#r!oa!"ii d! p! s#rad&5i ar! u" od d! a r!(ol.a probl!!l! car! !s#!!/#raordi"ar d! o"!s# E(i# pu+i"$apoi co"#i"u6 Ad!.rul !s#! c$di" pu"c# d!.!d!r! !o+io"al$! "c ia#ur sub di*!ri#! asp!c#!&Cr!d c u" copil ar *i o

!/p!ri!"+ *oar#! ipor#a"# p!"#ru a#uri(ar!a !i&'bi&4ac ! c!.a d! car!po+i s *ii si)ur$!s#! c s0ar d!dica cu #o#ul cr!#!rii u"ui copil&Nu *ac! "icioda#lucruril! p! %u#a#!&a8! o*# li"i#i#&0A#u"ci$"u !s#! "ici o probl! ca !a s cr!asc u" copil&0Nu$"u$bi"!"+!l!s c "u&2i scu#ur capul .i)uros&Nu a .r!a s0+i *ac o ipr!si!)r!i#&Pur i siplu$"u po# i"#ra " d!#aliil! probl!!lor !i$*r a "clca u"s!cr!# pro*!sio"al$dar cr!d!0 c "u ar! probl!! " pri.i"+a ra+iu"ii&A a.!a"cr!d!r! ca Toby s aib )ri% d! "!po+ii !i&&&i po+i *i si)ur c i0ar pro#!%a cu

riscul .i!+ii !i&Aici "u ! .orba d! c!!a c! "+!l!)!$d! obic!i$pri" ia#uri#a#!&Ar! probl!! doar " c!!a c! pri.!#! propriil! !i !o+ii&&&4ar$la ura ur!i$ci"! di"#r! "oi "u ar!:a8! s! )'"di la probl!a ac!as#a ai #'r(iu$prsi"d icu+a cli"ic&?Ci"!di"#r! "oi "u ar!:?spus!s! doc#ori+a&3! )'"di la probl!!l! p!rso"al! car! la)i#as!r a#'# " #oa# p!rioada .i!+ii lui d! adul#&Cs#oria lui ra#a# pus!s! !/ac#

pu"c#ul p! >i?&3i+is! c #ra#as! )r!i# "#r!a)a si#ua+i!&Pi!rdus!r capaci#a#!a d!a cou"ica u"d!.a$d!0a lu")ul druului lor$i #o#ul s! #!ri"as! "#r0u" od

aar&4oc#ori+a a.us!s! dr!p#a#!&Nu ul# lu! #ia s0i co"#rol!(! !o+iil!&5idoc#ori+a Ma#,ias cr!(us! c Toby a.!a o a#i#udi"! s"#oas *a+ d! propria.ia#&=ap#ul *us!s! r!l!.a"# "u "uai " c!!a c! spus!s!$ci ai al!s " !/pr!sia*!+!i$a#u"ci c'"d o spus!s!&2i plc!a ul# Toby i o r!sp!c#a&5i M!l spus!s! c

pu#!a a.!a "cr!d!r! " %ud!ca#a doc#ori+!i&2" c!l! di" ur$a8! acc!p# *ap#ul c a.!a s *i! #a#&&&Co"*u(ia$dubiil!"c!pur s l prs!asc$p!"#ru a *i "locui#! d! u" s!"#i!"# d! irar! i d! o

bucuri! aproap! dur!roas&

Toby d!sc,is! ua c!.a ai ul# d! u" c!"#i!#ru i$c'"d l .(u p! a8!$o*#$d!s*cu la"+ul d! la u i o d!sc,is! lar)$ca s l las! "u"#ru&T!"siu"!a cr!scus! " *ii"+a !i "c d! la "#'l"ir!a lor di" dup0aia(a ac!!a$iarapoi "#'l"ir!a !i cu a"i"! "u *cus! "iic p!"#ru a0i r!da "cr!d!r!a d! car!a.!a "!.oi! ca s discu#! cu ac!s# brba#&4i" c! " c! ai ul#$"c!pus! s idor!asc s i *i +i"u# )ura i s "u0l *i cu#a# p! #a#l copilului&0Cu #! si+i:-oc!a lui %oas o #r!(i di" r!.!ria car! o cupri"s!s! i i ddu

s!aa c "c ai s##!au " i%locul ca!r!i&


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0Ia loc$do"ul! ao"d$urur !a$i"dic'"d so*aua .iu colora#&M si#bi"!&Toby,drcuor cu limb de argint,eti capabil s l intimidezi cuconversaiile tale pline de via&El o pri.i cu lui"i+a ac!!a curioas di" oc,iilui pro*u"d alba#ri&

0Nu cr!(i c ar *i ai bi"! s0i spui a8!: 4up c! !a aprob !(i#'"d$!l i*r!c brbia$apoi spus! d!cis605i "u ai "ici u" *!l d! probl!! c'"d #! scoli dii"!a+a:0Nu&&&a8!&2i acum,premiul nostru pentru cine e n stare s adoarm cea maimult lume,n cel mai scurt timp,este o!erit lui Toby 3a$ter0Toby9 !/plod !l !/asp!ra#$#r!bui! s .orbi&'e idee e$celente ce nu m"am gndit eu la asta%Ea aproba "c!# di" cap$pri.i"du0l "c$" #ip c! s! a!(a d! c!alal# par#! a

su+!i d! ca*!a$p! scau"ul !i pr!*!ra#&0A r!*l!c#a# ul# d! c'"d ai pl!ca# di" biroul !u&R's!$ls'"du0s! p! spa#! "so*a$" #ip c! i asa c!a*a&Apoi co"#i"u6 Tr!bui! s adi+i c .i(i#a #a a *os#

pu+i" ca "!obi"ui#&La "c!pu#$0a )'"di# s +i ara"%!( u" *!l d! co"# "ba"c$p!"#ru #i"! i p!"#ru copil&0U" co"#: "#r!b Toby$ascu+i#&-r!i s spui ba"i: Nu a "!.oi! d! ba"i&A aiul# d!c'# .oi a.!a "!.oi! .r!oda#&Nu d! as#a a .!"i# la #i"!&Pur i siplu$is0a pru# c ! u" lucru *ir!sc p! car! #r!bui! s l *ac&

04a$#iu acu$spus! !l cu o .oc! surpri"(#or d! plcu#&5i c,iar dac ai *i .!"i#p!"#ru ba"i$)s!sc c as#a "u ar *i *os# su*ici!"# p!"#ru i"!&Ea pri.i spr! !l"curca#$iar i"ia i #r!sri$apoi i r!lu ri#ul "oral cu b#i pu#!r"ic!&0Nu ar *i *os# su*ici!"#: urur !a "c!#&El s! ridic brusc i s! apropi! d!locul u"d! s##!a !a$apoi c'"d !a s! r!#ras! i ai ul# " scau"$!l s! ),!uil'") !a$pri"('"du0i ab!l! 'i"i "#r0al! sal!&0Toby$#r!bui! s "+!l!)i u" lucru$spus! !l cu o oar!car! )rab$oc,iis#rluci"du0i d! u" albas#ru i"#!"s&s#a s0ar pu#!a s *i! si")urul copil p! car!

l0a pu#!a a.!a .r!oda#&Ea "),i+i " s!c$apoi i"spir pro*u"d&04ar&&&dar$d!si)ur c #! .!i r!cs#ori&0Posibil$co"#i"u !l aprob'"d scur# di" cap$dar "u ! .orba d! as#a&A&&&o#i.!s cr!d c !s#! si")ura !a a"s&02"+!l!)&4ar "u "+!l!)!a "iic i "u r!u!a s i pu" i"#!a la co"#ribu+i!su*ici!"# p!"#ru a "+!l!)! #o#ul&Pu#!a doar s0i d!a s!aa c'# d! aproap! !ra!l&C'# d! iposibil d! aproap!&0Aa c "u .r!au s pi!rd "iic di" "a#!r!a ac!s#ui copil$co"#i"u !l$s#udii"du0i

d! aproap! r!ac+iil!&Nici car c'# #ip por+i sarci"a&Toby i si+i oas!l!


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ui"du0s! "#r0u" *!l d! piur! i "u ar *i *os# surpri"s d!loc dac s0ar *i scurs d!p! scau"$ca o !du( )!la#i"oas d! ar!&R!ali( c !l "u .ois! s d!a u" #o"p!rso"al cu.i"#!lor sal!&4ar !l! su"as!r ai ul# d!c'# p!rso"al$su"as!r a#'#d! i"#i$"c'# !a s! bloca !"#al&

*ndete"te$Toby$i ordo" !a " #c!r!&Tr!buia s s! )'"d!asc la c!!a c! ispu"!a !l$"u la c!!a c! o *c!a s si#&El .oia s par#icip! i !l$cu.a$la

p!rioada d! sarci"&Era o dori"+ r!(o"abil$i spus! !a&0Po# "+!l!)! as#a$(is! !a&A si+i$probabil$" ac!lai *!l&Aa c&&ras! pu#!r"ica!rul " pl'"i i co"#i"u6 Po+i .!"i d! c'#! ori i *ac! plc!r!&El o pri.i " #c!r! p!"#ru u" o!"#$apoi i pr!u" 'i"il!$ca i cu ar *i.ru# s i d!a c!.a di" *or+a lui&0Nu as#a !s#! !/ac# c!!a c! .oia s spu"$(is! !l ('bi"d cald&Toby$a .r!a s

"! cs#ori&CAPITOLUL FToby ras! pi!#ri# p! scau"$cu oc,ii ari$pr'"du0i0s! c ia)i"!a luicr!#!a a!"i"+#oar! d!asupra !i$ca ac!!a a u"ui spiri# is#!rios car! #ocaii!is! di"#r0o s#icl&Nu r!ui s pro"u"+! "ici o si")ur silab$dar au(is! clarcu.'"#ul >cs#ori!?$car! acu plu#!a " d!ri. pri" capul !i$d! parcHuasiodo "sui da"sa ""!bu"i# pri"#r! clopo#!l! di" #ur"ul ca#!dral!i No#r!0

4a!&0O,$)!u !a$slbi#&2i "c,is! oc,ii i #ras! pu#!r"ic a!r " pl'"i$apoi alu"!c p! sub bra+ul luicar! s! "#i"s!s! d!0a lu")ul scau"ului&Murur'"d cu.i"#! *r s!"s# i croidru$i"s#i"c#i.$spr! buc#ri!&0U"d! #! duci:o "#r!b a8!$la doi pai " spa#!l! !i&Cu !a i scu#ur capul$"!a%u#ora#$co"#i"u'"du0i druul$!l spus!6 Toby$#r!bui! s .orbi d!spr!as#a&Toby&&&

0A#!ap#$spus! !a rsu*l'"d di" )r!u$" #ip c! d!sc,id!a u"a dup al#a ui+!l!dulpiorului d! p! p!r!#! p! car! apoi l! #r'"#!a$*rus#ra#$la loc&2" s*'ri#$"!r!ui"d s )s!asc "ici car o alu" r#ci#$lu di"#r0u" .as u" biscui# d!ciocola# i l uc )rbi#),biscuiii tia4ac ca laptele s i se par mai acceptabilLap#!$s! )'"di !a buiac$" #ip c! buca#a d! biscui# di" )'# r!*u(a s alu"!c!&0Toby$c! s! "#'pl cu #i"!:a8! s##!a c,iar " spa#!l! !i i !a si+i"!du!rir!a di" .oc!a lui&Ea #ur" lap#!l! r!p!d! i$dup c! bu %u#a#! di" !l$

di"#r0o "),i+i#ur$s#r'"s! di" u!ri i op#i6


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0Mi0a ras biscui#ul " )'#&Ca i cu as#a ar *i !/plica# #o#ul&Ea pri.i a*ar p! *!r!as#r$apoi " %os$la pa,arul di" '"a !i$apoi spr! *ri)id!ruld!sc,is&Oriu"d!$"uai "u spr! brba#ul car! s##!a la u" pas " *a+a !i i p! car!#r!buia s l pri.!asc d! *ap#&Tui scur#$apoi l pri.i pli" d! sp!ra"+&

0N0ai spus cu ad!.ra# c! i s0a pru# c ai spus&&&"u0i aa:El pru pri"s "#r! !/asp!rar! i au(a!"#&0A spus c a .r!a s "! cs#ori&Ea i"spir "!si)ur&0Tocai d! as#a i !ra *ric$urur !a&Ui#!$do"ul!&&&a8!&Cr!d c i!i #o#ul

pr!a " s!rios&2"c!rc s r'd$dar "u r!ui&s#a !s#! s!colul dou(!ci&Ni!"i "u#r!bui! s s! cs#or!asc&-oc!a !i d!.!"i di" c! " c! ai i"#!"s " #ip c!.orb!a&=!!ia a *os# !lib!ra#$+i ai"#!#i:Pu#! .o#a&A.! cari!r!l! "oas#r!&

N! "#r!+i"! *ailiil! si")ur!&5i "i!"i&&&"u s! ai a#!ap# ca brba#ul s *ac

u" )!s# >"obil?&Ea obs!r. c'# d! curios o pri.!a !l&0Nu #r!bui! s do.!d!#i "iic$a8!&Nu ai ! u" s!cr!#&Brba+ii su"# i !i supui)r!!lii&3! opri i ('bi6Nu ai !/is# !roi i$d!ci$"u #r!bui! s aiipr!sio"!(i p! "i!"i cu )!s#uri d! sacri*iciu&Pur i siplu$"u ai ! .r!!aarilor )!s#uri&El i ridic brbia$d! parc i0ar *i ai"#i# d! $pr!(!"+a lui$d! parcar *i si+i# c "c!pus! s o ia ra("a$.orbi"d " a*ara probl!!i lor&0E#i si)ur c aa !: "#r!b !l$cal&Po# !"+io"a o %u#a#! d! du(i" d!!roi$*r a )'"di pr!a ul#&4! !/!plu$pr!o#ul car! .orb!a d!sc,is "oap#!a

#r!cu# la #!l!.i(or d!spr! .'"(#orii d! dro)uri di" car#i!rul lui&Ea s! "d!pr# c'+i.a pai$apoi pri.i "apoi p!s#! ur&0Nu #! "#r!bi "icioda# cu c! s! al!)! u" aa0(is !rou di"#r0o po.!s#! oar!car!:Poa#! c ! .orba d! publici#a#!&Poa#! c oul la .r!a s urc! " i!rar,ia

bis!ricii&Pari!( c ai *i surpri"s s a*li c'# d! d!s !/is# u" o#i. !)ois# " spa#!l!u"ui lucru ca s#a&Ea "c!pu s s! plib! d! colo0colo$"!r!ali('"d *!lul )'"di#or" car! o pri.!a !l$i cu.i"#!l! i .!"ir ai r!p!d!$iar )!s#uril! i d!.!"ir ai!*a#ic!&

0Ca aa !r) lucruril!&Cr!(i c ai )si# c!.a ad!.ra# su# la su# i$c'"d colo$#o#ul ! pu#r!d p! d!d!sub#&U" *u"c+io"ar )u.!r"a!"#al ! corup#&U" co"duc#orr!li)ios *ur di" *o"duril! bis!ricii&O )rad d! doc#ori car! "u #iu !s!ri! aucabi"!#!&Oa!"i poli#ici$poli+i#i i %ud!c#ori su"# d!0a dr!p#ul d! .'"(ar!&U"iispor#i.i *olos!sc s#!roi(i ca s i dis#ru) corpul 0u"d! !#i$o! 4ia))io:02"#r!b !a$cu u" a!r coic$"!a%u#ora#&3u"# oa!"i car! i dis#ru) cr!i!rul cudro)uri i apoi l! .'"d i al#ora$ca s i poa# co"#i"ua obic!iul$d! dro)uri .r!aus spu"$"u d! cr!i!r&&&cci cr!i!rul lor "u ai .alor!a( "ici doi ba"i&El !ra

#cu#$pri.i"d0o "#r0u" *!l car! o *c!a s s! si# s#'"%!"i#&Era ca i c'"d !l ar


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*i .(u# di"colo d! cu.i"#!l! !i$" pro*u"(i!a i" ii !i&O *c!a s s! si# ai co"#i!"# d! pr!(!"#a lui "#r0u" od ciuda#$.ul"!rabil la pri.ir!a ac!!a

p#ru"(#oar! a lui&0E#i a#'# d! sc!p#ic9urur !l$cl#i"'"d di" cap&2" priul r'"d$)r!!#i "

pri.i"+a ac!s#or lucruri&2" *i!car! ca($i!i u" si")ur !/!plu$"!)a#i.$i l *olos!#ica s0i co"da"i p! o )rad d! oa!"i&El ('bi i s! spri%i"i d! dulap&5ic,iar dac ai a.!a dr!p#a#!$as#a "u ar! "iic d! a *ac! cu "oi&Nu .r!au s *ac.r!u" )!s# d!os!bi# i "u su"# u" !rou&2"c!rc doar s *ac c! !s#! ai bi"!&0C! !s#! ai bi"!: Cu poa#! *i cor!c# ca doi oa!"i$car! abia s! cu"osc$s s!cs#or!asc:Nu .r!au s cs#or!sc&5i c,iar dac a *ac!0o$c! *!l d!cs#ori! ar *i:3! "cru"# di"#r0oda# i s! a!( "#r0o po(i+i! b#ioas$p!icul scau" d! l'") dulap&Po# s d!scurc i si")ur&Nu a "!.oi! d!

"i!"i s a%u#!&a8! #ras! u" scau" di"#r0o "i i s! a!( " *a+a !i$"#i"('"du0i 'i"il! ca s l! pri"d p! al! !i&0Nu spu"! "i!"i c ai "!.oi!$(is! !l cu o .oc! cal$dar si)ur&Toby$ai spusc *!!il! i cr!sc copiii si")ur!&5i ai dr!p#a#!$adu) !l$"ai"#! ca !a s l"#r!rup&Nu pu" la "doial *or+a #a sau a .r!u"!i *!!i$" )!"!ral&'bi$"cura%'"d0o s s! r!la/!(!&2" ul#! pri.i"+!$*!!il! su"# ai pu#!r"ic!d!c'# brba+ii&4ar #u i c!ri copilului #u s *i! pu#!r"ic oda# cu #i"!&;i s! par!cor!c#:

0Nu #iu d!spr! c! .orb!#i$spus! !a$"c!rc'"d s s! ap!r!$cu oc,ii la 'i"il! lorpr!u"a#!&0Ui#!$Toby$(is! !l "c!#$su"# d! acord c o/is# o )rad d! *!!i di.or+a#!car! i cr!sc si")ur! copiii&&&i car! *ac o #r!ab i"u"a#&4ar #u "u .!i *i o*!!i! di.or+a#&Tu .!i *i o *!!i! "!ri#a#&5i c,iar dac s#a !s#! s!coluldou(!ci$a"ui#! lucruri #o# "u s0au sc,iba#&5#ii c! s! .a "#'pla c'"d u" al#copil l .a "#r!ba p! al "os#ru u"d! !s#! #a#l su: Nu .a pu#!a s rspu"d >#a#l!u ! pl!ca#? sau >pri"+ii !i su"# di.or+a+i?$ci .a #r!bui s spu" >pri"+ii !i

"0au *os# cs#ori+i?&5#ii c! *!l d! !#ic,!# o s0i a#'r"!:3! opri$" #ip c! i s#r'"s! '"a p! a !i&02l .or "ui bas#ard$Toby&C,iar dac as#a s! .a "#'pla doar o si")ur da# ".ia+a lui$dar s! .a "#'pla&5i ai .r!o id!! d!spr! c! !*!c# .a a.!a asupra lui:0Nu9op#i !a r!p!d!$pri.i"du0l cu oc,ii ari$sp!ria+i&Aa c!.a "u s! ai"#'pla " (il!l! "oas#r!&0Ba da$s! ai "#'pl&El s! ridic di"#r0oda# i s! "dr!p# spr! ica *!r!as#rd! d!asupra c,iu.!#!i&Pri.i p'"#ul acop!ri# p! %u#a#! cu *ru"(!$car! *orau

u" *!l d! #or!"# c! s! pi!rd!a u"dui"d pri"#r! copaci&4up u" o!"#$Toby l


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pri.i$obs!r.'"du0i caa )ri i pa"#alo"ii "!)ri ula+i&Era p!"#ru pria da# cl .!d!a brca# al#*!l d!c'# " ,ai"! d! birou i$di"#r0o "!.oi! d! a s!au#oapra$ddu #o#ul d!opar#!$u"d!.a " *u"dul i"+ii !i i s! co"c!"#ra p! *or+a

p! car! o pu#!a s!si(a sub a#!rialul oal! al cii lui&

El i prus!$la pria "#'l"ir!$u" #ip cu o #ali! d!s#ul d! ar!$dar "u pu#us! s),ic!asc *ora uc,ilor p! car! i ascu"d!a ,ai"a i p! car! acu i pu#!a.!d!a la spa#!l! i la u!rii lui&4i"#r0oda#$ia)i"!a u"!i s#a#ui d! bro"( i #r!cu

pri" *a+a oc,ilor&U"d! o ai .(us!: -i(i#as! #oa#! u(!!l! local! d!s#ul d! d!s$dar "u i pu#!a ai"#i d! s#a#uia car! co"#i"ua s i apar " i"#!&Li"iil!$puri#a#!a *or!i i su)!rau o sculp#ur )r!ac$dar&&&0Ba da$s! ai "#'pl$r!p!# !l$i .oc!a lui li"i#i# o *cu s #r!sar$ai"#i"du0i d! pr!(!"# i d! #oa#! probl!!l!&

0Mai al!s aici$co"#i"u !l$ic'"du0i u!rii i "c!rc'"d s s! r!la/!(!&C,iardac 4allas0ul s! pr!supu"! c ar *i u"ul di" c!l! ai cosopoli#! ora! di"lu!$!s#! cosopoli# poa#! acolo u"d! lucr$"u u"d! #ri&E #o#ui "c *oar#!co"s!r.a#or&=cu o pau($apoi co"#i"u cu o .oc! %oas&A a.u# o pri!#!"$Toby&O pri!#!" bu"&A lucra# p!"#ru i"! #ip d! .r!o doi a"i$"ai"#! d! ar!ui s o cu"osc d!s#ul$dar c'"d a *cu#0o$"!0a pca# bi"!&Nu a *os# "iicroa"#ic&Era$pur i siplu$pri!#!"i&Apoi&&&a a.u# u" copil&5i "u !ra cs#ori#&Era a#'# d! '"dr d! copilul !i&-oc!a lui !ra "corda# d! !o+i!&La "c!pu#$

"ici u"ul di"#r! "oi "u a au(i# b'r*!l!$dar$"c!#ul cu "c!#ul$ac!s#!a au d!.!"i#ai !.id!"#!&O pri.i p!s#! ur i spus! p! u" #o" "!r.os6 "ai"#! ca pu#iul s*i pli"i# u" a"$#o#ul d!.!"is! i"supor#abil p!"#ru !a$aa c a pl!ca#&5i0a prsi#"u "uai slu%ba$ci i par#!a as#a a +rii&=cu u" pas$ca i c'"d )'"duril! "c!pus!r s l *ac s s! si# s#'"%!"i#&0Ul#ia oar c'"d a #!l!*o"a#$pr!a d!s#ul d! *!rici#&4ar o *c!a p! .du.a&3pu"!a c i0a ".+a# l!c+ia&3! "#oars! cu *a+a spr! !a$pr'"d di"#r0oda# obosi#&0Ei bi"!$! posibil$doar posibil$ca aa c!.a s "u s! "#'pl! "icioda#&4ar +i po+i

asua riscul s#a: Eu "u po#$ori !l "!r.os&A ur'# d!s#ul lucrul s#a c'"d is0a "#'pla# "!poa#!i !l!&5i "u a s p!ri# s s! "#'pl! aa c!.a

propriului !u *iu&Mai al!s$c'"d ar *i a#'# d! siplu s !.i# as#a&Toby i ascul#as! cu a#!"+i! cu.i"#!l! spus! p! u" #o" cal$car! o pur#as!r

pri"#r! ai"#iril! lui #ris#!$i "c!pus! s su*!r! p!"#ru !l&4ar as#a !ra pr!a ul#i l pri.i cu surpri"d!r!&03iplu: "#r!b !a$"!"cr!(#oar!&E#i ai "!bu" d!c'# i"!&3 #! cs#or!#icu ci"!.a p! car! "u l cu"o#i "u !s#! c!.a siplu&5i "ici "u !s#! pr!a

i"#!li)!"#$d! al#*!l&2i ridic '"a$"#r0u" )!s# #!a#ral&5ap#!(!ci i op# .ir)ul #r!i


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la su# di"#r! cs#oriil! "#r! oa!"i car! s0au cu"oscu# ai pu+i" d! doi a"i$"ur!u!sc$spus! !a " )rab$!"u"+'"d da#!l! cu pr!ci(i!&3#a#is#icil! "u i"#&2"#r!a)a po.!s#! !s#! o "!bu"i!&0Ar *i$dac a a#!p#a s s! r!(ol.! d! la ci"!$spus! !l&4ar "u .a *i aa&To# c!

#r!bui! s *ac! !s#! s "! cs#ori&3 #ri pr!u"&&&pla#o"ic$adu) !l$c'"d i "#'l"i pri.ir!a co"c!"#ra#&Apoi$dup "a#!r!a copilului$di.or+&Ea i scu#ur capul$uii#&04up #i"!$#o#ul par! r!(o"abil&&&"oral&4ar !u #iu pr!a bi"! c "u ! aa&El O*#&0Cr!d c !#i a#'# d! pr!ocupa# s co".i")i i a#'# d! s#i"),!ri# di" prici"a!a$"c'# "u )'"d!#i d!s#ul d! clar&Ui#!$a s pl!c i a s #! las s #!)'"d!#i&-orb!#! cu doc#ori+a Ma#,ias i cu&&&car! ! "u!l! psi,ia#r!i #al!:

0a"i"!$spus! !a .a)$si+i"du0s! brusc copl!i# d! !.!"i!"#!l! ul#i!lor(il!&a"i"!


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Toby ras! " *a+a uii p!"#ru c'#.a #ip$si+i"du0s! co"*u( i cu i"iauoar$dar$d!s#ul d! ciuda#$*oar#! *!rici#&

0C! #! supr$d! *ap#$" #oa# #r!aba as#a: Toby i scoas! pa"#o*ii$)'"di"du0s! la

"#r!bar!$" #ip c! i #ras! picioar!l! sub !a i s! ls p! spa#!$" scau"ulod!r" di" *a a biroului lui a"i"!&4up u" o!"#$i u# a#!"+ia d! la *us#a !i d! culoar!a #opa(ului spr! *!!ia car! "c!pu s .orb!asc di" "ou&0Nu cr!d s *i! .orba$pur i siplu$d!spr! "!co".!"+io"ali#a#!a id!ii d! a #!cs#ori cu u" s#ri"$spus! a"i"!$p! #o"ul !i si)ur d! psi,ia#r&Nu !#i c,iar o

p!rsoa" co".!"+io"al$d!ci #r!bui! s *i! .orba d! al#c!.a&02" ca(ul s#a$c! supr cu ad!.ra#:"#r!b !a ('bi"d #iid&3u"#"srci"a#$dar "u a *cu# dra)os#! cu i"#!"+ia as#a&U" brba# p! car! "u l

cu"osc .r!a s cs#or!sc cu !l i s #ri pr!u" ci"! #i! u"d!$p'" c'"d.oi a.!a u" copil car!$d! *ap#$"0ar #r!bui s *i! " corpul !u&U" brba#$al#urid! car! si# !/#r! d! s#i"),!ri#$.r!a s i sc,ib! .ia+a i$" *!lul s#a$s si# s#i"),!ri# #o# #ipul&05i d! c! #! si+i s#i"),!ri# " pr!a%a lui: .!"i "#r!bar!a p! u" #o" a#!"# ical&Toby i sc,ib di" "ou po(i+ia$*r!c'"du0i )aba&3! si is! di"#o#d!au"a copilul0probl! al clas!i$d! c'#! ori s! duc!a s o .i(i#!(! p!a"i"!&Bru"!#a "al#$slbu+$a.!a o alur d!"$*oar#! co" #i!"# c !ra o

*!!i! cu succ!s pro*!sio"al&Lui Toby i s! pr!a c a"i"a r!pr!(!"#a !/!plulp!r*!c# al *!!ii od!r"!&Pr!a "#o#d!au"a s d!o"s#r!(! c$d! *ap#$"u !ra"ici o di*!r!"+ "#r! o *!!i! i u" brba# " do!"iul psi,a"ali(!i&3i")ura

probl! !ra ac!!a c lup#a a#'# d! ".!ru"a#$"c'#$" od co"s#a"#$a#r)!aa#!"+ia asupra *ap#ului c$d! *ap#$!/is#a o di*!r!"+&4ac s0ar *i pu#u# r!la/a cuad!.ra# i *ii"d !a "si$" loc s poar#! s#!a)ul p! car! !ra scris >3ucc!s

pro*!sio"al?$ar *i *os# d! d!par#! i ai co".i")#oar!&0Toby$spus! a"i"!$"+!l!)'"du0i )'"duril!&Pari pr!ocupa# d! c!.a&Bru"!#a

cal lu u" s#ilou d! aur i$ls'"d ipr!sia c lucruril! s! d!s*urau "oral$co"#i"u6 C! s0a "#'pla#$d! *ap#$" #ipul "#'l"irii cu brba#ul s#a:Toby o pri.i p!"#ru u" o!"# p! sub pl!oap!&To"ul "oral al *!!ii ai ".'rs# "u o pcli i!dia#&2i ascu"s! iro"ia di" pri.iri i spus! !(i#'"d60El&&&!l&&&0Ei$c!0i: o "#r!b a"i"!$apl!c'"du0s! spr! !a&5#ii c i po+i spu"! oric!&0To#ul pr!a a#'# d! "!.i"o.a#$(is! Toby "c!#$"#orc'"du0i capul&4ar p! ur&&&0P! ur:a"i"! "c!pus! s *i! "!rbd#oar! i Toby aproap! o*# uura#$"

#ip c! asca pro*!sio"al c(u ls'"d s apar *!!ia d! di"colo d! !a&


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0Apoi !l a "c!pu# s i d!a %os ,ai"!l! d! p! !l i s al!r)! pri" apar#a!"#$spus! Toby$!"#u(ias#$cu 'i"il! )!s#icul'"d " ri#ul cu.i"#!lor&Ei bi"!&&&ia#$os0+i spu"&A *os# oca# la "c!pu#$dar a +i"u#0o p! a !a$a"i"!&Nu 0alsa#&Nici car "u a *os# "!r.oas p'" c'"d 0a pri"s&&&

0Toby$spus! a"i"!$pri.i"d0o r!s!"a#&0&&&2" bai!$u"d! a scos u" bici lu") d! #as!&Era rou i&&&0Toby90&&&i s! asor#a cu c,ilo+ii lui di" pi!l! roi! i cu ciorapii lui di" pi!l! roi!&2id!sc,is! oc,ii ari&5i "u o s0+i .i" s cr!(i c! .oia s0i *ac&-oia s&&&0Toby9Toby s! apl!c i ('bi ca"did$apoi$c'"d .(u c'# d! au(a# !ra a"i"!$"c!pur s r'd a'"dou&02" r!)ul$spu"! d! la cap#$(is! a"i"!& i0ai b#u# d!s#ul %oc d! i"!&Acu$po+i

s0i spui d! c! #! si+i i"cood l'") brba#ul s#a: T!0ai si+i# "#o#d!au"as#i"),!ri# " pr!a%a brba+ilor$aa c i "c,ipui c acu i .orb!#i d!spr!c!.a cu #o#ul "ou&Toby s! )'"di la as#a p!"#ru u" o!"# apoi spus! "c!#604a$aa !s#!&5i cr!d c as#a ! c!!a c! ")ri%or!a(&2"ai"#!$#o# c!!a c!

pr!ocupa !rau crap!l! la s#oac i 'i"il! #ra"spira#!&Cu !l i s! "#'plal#c!.a&3i# c!!a c! "u a si+i# "icioda#&Mi s! "#'pl *!l d! *!l d! lucruric'"d su"# " pr!a%a lui&M *ac&&&o*$"u #iu cu&Nu #iu cu s d!scurc&Ea s#r'"s! di" u!ri$"!du!ri#$odi,"i"du0i co#ul p! sp#arul scau"ului$p!"#ru

a0i prop#i brbia " pal&0To#ul !ra " r!)ul&Pu#!a s d!scurc a a cu !ra&Acc!p#as! *!lul " car! si !a " pr!a%a brba+ilor i #ia la c! s a#!p#&Apoi$di"#r0oda#$i s! "#'pl po.!s#!a as#a i #r!bui! s "c!p s adap#!( di""ou&a"i"! c(u p! )'"duri p!"#ru o clip$apoi spus! "c!#60E posibil ca c!!a c! si+i p!"#ru oul s#a s *i!$pur i siplu$doar o a#rac+i!*i(ic:0Nu9Toby o*#$*r s s! )'"d!asc$apoi$s#r'")'"du0i pu"ii$s! *or+ s s!

cal!(!&Nu a ai *os# a#ras p'" acu *i(ic d! "ici u" brba#&4! c! ar #r!buis *i! al#*!l acu:0As#a !s#! o "#r!bar! di*icil&4! c! o p!rsoa" !s#! a#ras d! o al#a: Nu !s#!.orba$pur i siplu$d! *!lul " car! ara#&E c!.a " plus&Poa#! ! .orba d! purc,ii!&Poa#! ! c!.a !"#al&Ci"! #i!:0Eu " "ici u" ca(&&&urur Toby "!du!ri#&5i d! c! !s#! aa d! ipor#a"#c,!s#ia as#a:a"i"! i u# scau"ul i s! ls p! spa#!&0E ipor#a"#$p!"#ru c !u cr!d c o s #! ,o#r#i s #! cs#or!#i cu !l$ac!s#a

*ii"d si")urul lucru %us# p!"#ru #i"!&Aa cu ai d!cis c a.or#ul ar *i *os# u"


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lucru )r!i# p!"#ru #i"!&5i dac #! d!ci(i s o *aci$#r!bui! s #! )'"d!#i las!"#i!"#!l! #al! *a+ d! !l$cci al#*!l r!la+ia "u .a r!(is#a p'" s! .a "a#!copilul&Nu .r!au ca ac!as# r!la+i! s aib "ici u" *!l d! asp!c#! #raua#ic!&04ar "u !s#! "ici o r!la+i!$spus! !a !*a#ic$apoi "#r!b i"#!r!sa#6 C! *!l d!

asp!c#! #raua#ic!:a"i"! r's!&0-!i #ri " ac!!a i cas cu ac!s# brba#&Pr!supu"! c ar .r!a s #! sru#!&0Ei bi"!$d! *ap#&&&a *cu#0o d!%a$ori Toby$a)i#'"du0s! " scau"$Apoi$

pri.i"d0o p! a"i"!$o .(u ui#'"du0s! la !a cu spr'"c!"!l! ridica#!&04a: 5i c! ai si+i#:Ea s! apl!c uor spr! a"i"!&0A *os# c!l ai ciuda# lucru$a"i"!&Nu a si i# "ici o dori" &&&Cr!d c as#a i0ar *i *cu# ru d! la s#oac&A si+i# ca u" *!l d! *ur"ic#ur p'" "du.a oas!lor i a si+i# o cldur " #o# corpul&&&ca i c'"d ai *ac! o bai!

*i!rbi"#! di"spr! "u"#ru spr! a*ar&a"i"! o pri.i ciuda# p!"#ru o clip$apoi ilu s#iloul d! aur i spus! cu u" a!r "oral604ar cr!(i c dac .!i si+i .r!o dori"+$as#a #! .a *ac! s #! si+i bol"a.:05#iu c aa s! .a "#'pla$spus! Toby a)i#a#&M0a )'"di# i ai "ai"#! i$"uai )'"di"du0$ si+!a bol"a.$dar d! da#a as#a a *os# al#*!l&Oc,ii !i!rau ri+i d! surpri(&4! c! s "u r!cu"osc$a *os# d!0a dr!p#ul&&&plcu#&a"i"! pri.i " %os$spr! s#iloul di" '"a !i$p!"#ru u" o!"#$apoi o*#60Bi"!$dac #!0a *cu# s si+i o cldur i s0+i plac$a#u"ci$d!si)ur$"0ar pu#!a *i

.orba d! dori"+$"u: 5i$" ca(ul s#a$pr!supu" c "0ai a.!a "ici o probl! dac#!0ai d!cid! s #! cs#or!#i cu !l&0Nu #iu c! s spu" d!spr! as#a$ori !a&3ru#ul a *os# plcu#$dar discu+ia cu !la *os# cu #o#ul al#c!.a&M *ac! s si# "!lalocul !u&5i u"!ori s! ui# lai"!&=oar#! li"i#i#$dar p#ru"(#or&E )roa("ic s "u #iu c!0i #r!c! pri" cap&0Cr!d c #! .!i obi"ui i cu as#a$oda# c! .!i *i pr!u" cu !l p!"#ru u" #ip&a"i"! i pri.i c!asul i Toby "+!l!s! c #ipul !i s! #!ri"as!&To+i #r!bui! s*ac! coproisuri$adu) a"i"!&As#a #! sp!ri!:

0Nu cr!d&&&sau$poa#! c da$u"!ori$copl!# Toby$d! obic!i o"!s#&4ar$d! c!l!ai ul#! ori$su"# doar co"*u(&0Oricu$a#'#a .r!! c'# "u .!i *i cs#ori# cu ad!.ra#$"u cr!d s ai "ici u" *!ld! probl!! p! car! s "u l! po+i r!(ol.a&C'"d a"i"! s! ridic$Toby i pus! pa"#o*ii$apoi !rs!r pr!u" spr! u&0Nu .a *i o sc,ibar! c,iar a#'# d! ar! " .ia+a #a$co"#i"u a"i"! cu u" ('b!#ciuda#&Aa cu a spus !l$"u ! c!.a .!"ic&Pur i siplu$.!+i s#a pr!u" p!"#ruc'#.a #ip&&u"i ceva grav,Toby2i dac se ntmpla s dai peste el n c)iloi,

citind ziarul,gndete"te c ai ctigat la loterie&O pri.i p! a"i"!$pr!ocupa#&


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0A#u"ci$#u cr!(i c ar #r!bui s0o *ac:04!pi"d! d! #i"!&Tu #r!bui! s d!ci(i c!!a c! ai d! )'"d s *aci&Toby (ri ba"ca di" parcul )ol i s! lup# s +i" " '"$" ac!lai #ip$

*loric!l!l! d! porub$)!a"#a i pu")a cu cupr#uri&=loric!l!l! !rau #ocai)a#a s0i cad$c'"d a%u"s! la ba"c i s! a!(&R!la/'"du0s! cu u" o*#a#$!a aru"c o '" do *loric!l! " dir!c+ia u"ui s#!%ar&4!i *oar#! pu+i"! psri pr!au a *i pripr!%ur$#ia c$" "uai c'#!.a s!cu"d!dup aru"car!a *loric!l!lor$s! .or r!p!(i ca i!i#! di" p'"#&Ea pri.i$p!"#ru u" #ip$porub!ii car! '"cau$apoi s! r!(! d! ba"c&2ir!ai"#i *!lul " car! i ('bis! a"i"! a#u"ci c'"d i spus!s! c "u .a *i osc,ibar! pr!a ar! " .ia+a !i&Toby s! "cru"# di"#r0oda#&Era ca i c'"d

psi,ia#ra !i #ia c!.a c! !a "u #ia&C!!a c! !ra o posibili#a#! r!al$s! )'"di Toby$pr!ocupa#&P!"#ru c$" ac!lo!"#$r!ali( c ,abar "0a.!a d!spr! #oa#! as#!a$"#ors!s! probl!a p! #oa#!*!+!l! " capul !i i "u i s! pr!a s *i! ai aproap! d! ad!.r d!c'# *us!s!"ai"#!&4oc#ori+a Ma#,ias *us!s!$d! as!!"!a$*oar#! "+!l!)#oar!$*oar#!dr)u+$c'"d Toby i #!l!*o"as!$dar "u0i ddus! "ici u" rspu"s dir!c#&2i aispus!s! c d!ci(ia d!pi"d!a d! !a&Ul#ia !i *ra( *us!s! >3u"# co".i"s c .!i*ac! aa cu ! ai bi"!$Toby?&

M bucur c #i! as#a$s! )'"di Toby$aru"c'"d o al# '" d! *loric!l! d!porub$cu u" )!s# scur# i #iid&P!"#ru c "u !ra a#'# d! si)ur c !a .a *ac!cu ! ai bi"!&Nici car "u #ia car! !ra lucrul c!l ai bu" d! *cu#&Oar!ac!s# >lucru bu"? !ra c,iar a#'# d! si)ur:4! c! *c!au s par #o#ul ca i c'"dci"!.a +i0ar *i "#i"s u" ),id cu #oa#! >lucruril! bu"!? d! *cu#$"ira#! la s*'ri#ulcr+ii: Cu pu#!au$oar!$a"i"!$doc#ori+a Ma#,ias i a8! s *i! a#'# d! si)uri cac!s#a !ra druul bu": P!"#ru c d! pr!a ul#! ori c!!a c! par! cor!c# " pr!(!"#d!.i"! )r!i# " .ii#or&

2i scu#ur capul&4! u"d! a#'#a si)ura"+: Pr!au cu #o+ii a#'# d! si)uri 0d!spr!#o#&Nici "u +i ai pu#!a ai"#i o!"#ul c'"d luas! .r!oda# o d!ci(i! a%or&Plu#is! di"#o#d!au"a oda# cu cur!"+ii$asupra crora "u a.!a "ici u" co"#rol$"c!rc'"d s scoa# apa di"u"#rul brcii ai r!p!d! d!c'# i"#ra&4ar acu$c,iar i lucrul s#a pr!a cu.a irosi#&I s! spus!s!$i si+is! !asi")ur$c ar *i #r!bui# s i co"#rol!(! propria !i .ia+$i "sui )'"dul s#a o"spi'"#a&Era ca i c'"d ar *i c!ru# u"ui diri)i"#! d! clasa a #r!ia s co"duc o+ar&Toby i ridic pri.ir!a di"#r0oda# c'"d si+i ba"ca ic'"du0s!&2l pri.i

oul *ira. d! l'") !a$apoi ('bi c'"d l r!cu"oscu p! .!c,iul !i pri!#!"$Ly!ll


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*ilo(o*ul&C!l pu+i" as#a !ra #i#ula#ura lui aici$" icul prcul!+ p! car! l*r!c.!"#a Toby&2l "#'l"is! p! Ly!ll acu #r!i a"i i *us!s! i!dia# *asci"a# d!dispr!+ul lui p!"#ru *orali#+i i d! co!"#ariil! ir!.!r!"+ioas! " l!)#ur cuoric! "s!"a o i"s#i#u+i!&

0Porub!ii su"# *l'"(i " dii"!a+a as#a$spus! !l$ls'"du0s! p! spa#! " aa*!l "c'# soar!l! s i poa# cd!a p! ipr!sio"a"#a coa d! pr&Nu cr!(ic$dac l! d " co"#i"uar! d! '"car!$s0a

ultimul erou billie green

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