dk.intensity-第3章

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s　child　trapped　in　the　insanity　of　others。
　〃Will　you　ever　see　her　again？〃　Laura　asked。
　Recollection　had　left　Chyna　half　numb　with　horror。　〃I　don't　know。〃
　〃Would　you　want　to？〃
　Chyna　hesitated。　Her　hands　were　curled　into　fists；　the　damp　Kleenex　wadded　in　the　right　one。　〃Maybe。〃
　〃For　God's　sake　why？〃
　〃To　ask　her　why。　To　try　to　understand。　To　settle　some　things。　But　。。。　maybe　not。〃
　〃Do　you　even　know　where　she　is？〃
　〃No。　But　it　wouldn't　surprise　me　if　she　was　in　jail。　Or　dead。　You　can't　live　like　that　and　hope　to　grow　old。〃
　They　drove　down　out　of　the　foothills　into　the　valley。　
　Eventually　Chyna　said；　〃I　can　still　see　her　standing　in　the　steamy　darkness　on　the　banks　of　that　canal；　greasy　with　sweat；　her　hair　hanging　damp　and　all　tangled；　covered　with　mosquito　bites；　eyes　bleary　from　vodka。　Laura；　even　then　she　was　still　the　most　beautiful　woman　you've　ever　seen。　She　was　always　so　beautiful；　so　perfect　on　the　outside；　like　someone　out　of　a　dream；　like　an　angel　。。。　but　she　was　never　half　as　beautiful　as　when　she　was　excited；　when　there'd　been　violence。　I　can　see　her　standing　there；　only　visible　because　of　the　greenish　glow　from　the　headlights　of　the　Mercedes　rising　through　the　murky　canal　water；　so　ravishing　in　that　green　light；　glorious；　the　most　beautiful　person　you've　ever　seen；　like　a　goddess　from　another　world。〃
　Gradually　Chyna's　trembling　subsided。　The　heat　of　shame　faded　from　her　face；　but　slowly。
　She　was　immeasurably　grateful　for　Laura's　concern　and　support。　A　friend。　Until　Laura；　Chyna　had　lived　secretly　with　her　past；　unable　to　speak　of　it　to　anyone。　Now；　having；　unburdened　herself　of　another　hateful　corrupting　memory；　she　couldn't　begin　to　put　her　gratitude　into　words。　
　〃It's　okay；〃　Laura　said；　as　if　reading　Chyna's　mind。
　They　rode　in　silence。　They　were　late　for　dinner。
　
　To　Chyna；　the　Templeton　house　looked　inviting　at　first　glimpse：　Victorian；　gabled；　roomy；　with　deep　porches　front　and　rear。　It　stood　a　half　mile　off　the　county　road；　at　the　end　of　a　gravel　driveway；　surrounded　by　one　hundred　twenty　acres　of　vineyards。
　For　three　generations；　the　Templetons　had　grown　grapes；　but　they　had　never　made　wine。　They　were　under　contract　to　one　of　the　finest　vintners　in　the　valley；　and　because　they　owned　fertile　land　with　the　highest…quality　vines；　they　received　an　excellent　price　for　their　crop。
　Sarah　Templeton　appeared　on　the　front　porch　when　she　heard　the　Mustang　in　the　driveway；　and　she　came　quickly　down　the　steps　to　the　stone　walkway　to　greet　Laura　and　Chyna。　She　was　a　lovely；　girlishly　slim　woman　in　her　early　or　mid　forties；　with　stylishly　short　blond　hair；　wearing　tan　jeans　and　a　long…sleeved　emerald…green　blouse　with　green　embroidery　on　the　collar；　simultaneously　chic　aq　motherly。　When　Sarah　hugged　Laura　and　kissed　her　and　held　her　with　such　evident　and　fierce　love；　Chyna　was　struck　by　a　pang　of　envy　and　by　a　shiver　of　misery　at　never　having　known　a　mother's　love。
　She　was　surprised　again　when　Sarah　turned　to　her；　embraced　her；　kissed　her　on　the　cheek；　and；　still　holding　her　close；　said；　〃Laura　tells　me　you're　the　sister　she　never　had；　so　I　want　you　to　feel　at　home　here；　sweetheart。　When　you're　here　with　us；　this　is　your　place　as　much　as　ours。〃
　Chyna　stood　stiffly　at　first；　so　unfamiliar　with　the　rituals　of　family　affection　that　she　didn't　know　quite　how　to　respond。　Then　she　returned　the　embrace　awkwardly　and　murmured　an　inadequate　thankyou。　Her　throat　was　suddenly　so　tight　that　she　was　amazed　to　be　able　to　speak　at　all。
　Putting　her　arms　around　both　Laura　and　Chyna；　guiding　them　to　the　broad　flight　of　porch　steps；　Sarah　said；　〃We'll　get　your　luggage　later。　Dinner's　ready　now。　e　along。　Laura's　told　me　so　much　about　you；　Chyna。〃
　〃Well；　Mom；〃　said　Laura；　〃I　didn't　tell　you　about　Chyna　being　into　voodoo。　I　sort　of　hid　that　part。　She'll　need　to　sacrifice　a　live　chicken　every　night　at　midnight　while　she's　staying　with　us。〃
　〃We　only　grow　grapes。　We　don't　have　any　chickens；　dear；〃　Sarah　said。　〃But　after　dinner　we　can　drive　to　one　of　the　farms　in　the　area　and　buy　a　few。〃
　Chyna　laughed　and　looked　at　Laura　as　if　to　say；　〃Were　it　the　Infamous　Look？
　Laura　understood。　〃In　your　honor；　Chyna；　all　wire　coat　hangers　and　equivalent　devices　have　been　put　away。〃
　〃Whatever　are　you　talking　about？〃　Sarah　asked。　〃You　know　me；　Mom…a　babbling　ditz。　Sometimes　not　even　I　know　what　I'm　talking　about。〃
　Paul　Templeton；　Laura's　father；　was　in　the　big　kitchen；　taking　a　potato…and…cheese　casserole　out　of　the　oven。　He　was　a　neat；　pact　man；　five　feet　ten；　with　thick　dark　hair　and　a　ruddy　plexion。　He　set　the　steaming　dish　aside；　stripped　off　a　pair　of　oven　mitts；　and　greeted　Laura　as　warmly　as　Sarah　had　done。　After　being　introduced　to　Chyna；　he　took　one　of　her　hands　in　both　of　his；　which　were　rough　and　work　worn；　and　with　feigned　solemnity　he　said；　〃We　prayed　you'd　make　the　trip　in　one　piece。　Does　my　little　girl　still　handle　that　Mustang　as　if　she　thinks　it's　the　Batmobile？〃
　〃Hey；　Dad；〃　Laura　said；　〃I　guess　you've　forgotten　who　taught　me　to　drive。〃
　〃I　was　instructing　you　in　the　basic　techniques；〃　Paul　said。　〃I　didn't　expect　you　to　acquire　my　style。〃
　Sarah　said；　〃I　refuse　to　think　about　Laura's　driving。　I'd　just　be　worried　sick　all　the　time。〃
　〃Face　it；　Mom；　there's　an　Indianapolis　500　gene　on　Dad's　side　of　the　family；　and　he　passed　it　to　me。〃
　〃She's　an　excellent　driver；〃　Chyna　said。　〃I　always　feel　safe　with　Laura。
　Laura　grinned　at　her　and　gave　a　thumbs…up　sign。　Dinner　was　a　long；　leisurely　affair　because　the　Templetons　liked　to　talk　to　one　another；　thrived　on　talking　to　one　another。　They　were　careful　to　include　Chyna　and　seemed　genuinely　interested　in　what　she　had　to　say；　but　even　when　the　conversation　wandered　to　family　matters　of　which　Chyna　had　little　knowledge；　she　somehow　felt　a　part　of　it；　as　though　she　was；　by　a　magical　osmosis；　actually　being　absorbed　into　the　Templeton　clan。
　Laura's　thirtyish　brother；　Jack；　and　his　wife；　Nina；　lived　in　the　caretaker's　bungalow　elsewhere　in　the　vineyard；　but　a　previous　obligation　had　prevented　them　from　joining　the　family　for　dinner。　Chyna　was　assured　that　she　would　see　them　in　the　morning；　and　she　felt　no　trepidation　about　meeting　them；　as　she'd　felt　before　she'd　met　Sarahand　Paul。　Throughout　her　troubled　life；　there　had　been　no　place'…where　she　had　truly　felt　at　home；　while　she　might　never　fe　61　entirely　at　home　in　this　place　either；　at　least　she　felt　wele　here。
　After　dinner；　Chyna　and　Laura　went　for　a　walk　in　the　moonlit　vineyards；　between　the　rows　of　low　pruned　vines　that　had　not　yet　begun　to　sprout　either　leafy　trailers　or　fruit。　The　cool　air　was　redolent　with　the　'47。　pleasant　fecund　smell　of　freshly　plowed　earth；　and　there　was　a　sense　of　mystery　in　the　dark　fields　that　she　found　intriguing；　enchanting…but　at　times　disconcerting；　as　if　they　were　among　unseen　presences；　ancient　spirits　that　were　not　all　benign。
　When　they　had　strolled　deep　into　the　vines　and　then　turned　back　toward　the　house；　Chyna　said；　〃You're　the　best　friend　I've　ever　had。〃
　〃Me　too；〃　Laura　said。
　〃More　than　that。。。〃　Chyna's　voice　trembled。　She　had　been　about　to　say；　'You're　the　only　friend　I've　ever　had；　but　that　made　her　seem　so　lame　and；　besides；　was　still　an　inadequate　expression　of　what　she　felt　for　this　girl。　They　were；　indeed；　in　one　sense　sisters'。
　Laura　linked　arms　with　her　and　merely　said；　〃I　know。〃
　〃When　you　have　babies；　I　want　them　to　call　me　Aunt　Chyna。〃
　〃Listen；　Shepherd；　don't　you　think　I　should　find　a　guy　and　get　married　before　I　start　pumping　out　the　babies？〃
　〃Whoever　he　is；　he　better　be　the　best　husband　in　the　world　to　you；　or　I　promise　I'll　cut　his　cock　off。〃
　〃Do　me　a　favor；　okay？〃　Laura　said。　〃Don't　tell　him　about　this　promise　until　after　the　wedding。　Some　guys　might　be　put　off　by　it。〃
　From　elsewhere　in　the　vineyards　came　a　disquieting　sound　that　stopped　Chyna。　A　protracted　creaking。　
　〃It's　just　the　breeze　working　at　a　loose　bam　door；　rusty　hinges；〃　Laura　said。
　But　it　sounded　as　if　someone　were　opening　a　giant　door　in　the　wall　of　night　itself　and　stepping　in　from　another　world。
　
　Chyna　Shepherd　could　not　sleep　fortably　in　strange　houses。　Throughout　her　childhood　and　adolescence；　her　mother　had　dragged　her　from　one　end　of　the　country　to　the　other；　staying　nowhere　longer　than　a　month　or　two。　So　many　terrible　things　had　happened　to　them　'in　so　many　places　that　Chyna　eventually　learned　to　view　each　new　house　not　as　a　new　beginning；　not　with　hope　for　stability　and　happiness；　but　with　suspicion　and　quiet　dread。
　Now　she　was　long　rid　of　her　troubled　mother　and　free　to　stay　only　where　she　wished。　These　days；　her　life　was　almost　as　stable　as　that　of　a　cloistered　nun；　as　meticulously　planned　as　any　bomb　squad's　proceIdures　for　disarming　an　explosive　device；　and　without　any　of　the　turmoil　on　which　her　mother　had　thrived。　I　Nevertheless；　this　first　night　in　the　Templetons'　house；　Chyna　was　reluctant　to　undress　and　go　to　bed。　She　sat　in　the　darkness　in　a　medallion…back　armchair　at　one　of　the　two　windows　in　the　guest　room；　gazing　out　at　the　moonlit　vineyards；　fields；　and　hills　of　the　Napa　Valley。
　Laura　was　in　another　room；　at　the　far　end　of　the　second…floor　hall；　no　doubt　sound　asleep；　at　peace　because　this　house　was　not　at　all　strange　to　her。
　From　the　guest…room　window；　the　early…spring　vineyards　were　barely　visible。　Vague　geometric　patterns。
　Beyond　the　cultivated　rows　were　gentle　hills　mantled　in　long　dry　grass；　silver　in　the　moonlight。　An　inconstant　breeze　stirred　through　the　valley；　and　sometimes　the　wild　grass　seemed　to　roll　like　ocean　waves　across　the　slopes；　softly　aglimmer　with　lambent　lunar　light。
　Above　the　hills　was　the　Coast　Range；　and　above　those　peaks　were　cascades　of　stars　and　a　full　white　moon。　Storm　clouds　ing　across　the　mountains　from　the　northwest　would　soon　darken　the　night；　taming　the　silver　hills　first　to　pewter　and　then　to　blackest　iron。
　When　she　heard　the　first　scream；　Chyna　was　gazing　at　the　stars；　drawn　by　their　cold　light　as　she　had　been　since　childhood；　fascinated　by　the　thought　of　distant　worlds　that　might　be　barren　and　clean；　free　of　pestilence。　At　first　the　muffled　cry　seemed　to　be　only　a　memory；　a　fragment　of　a　shrill　argument　from　another　strange　house　in　the　past；　echoing　across　time。　Often；　as　a　child；　eager　to　hide　from　her　mother　and　her　mother's　friends　when　they　were　drunk　or　high；　she　climbed　onto　porch　roofs　or　into　backyard　trees；　slipped　through　windows　onto　fire　escapes；　away　to　secret　places　far　from　the　fray；　where　she　could　study　the　stars　and　where　voices　raised　in　argument　or　sexual　excitement　or　shrill　drug…induced　giddiness　came　to　her　as　though　from　out　of　a　radio；　from　faraway　places　and　people　who　had　no　connection　whatsoever　with　her　life。
　The　second　cry；　though　also　brief　and　only　slightly　louder　than　the　first；　was　indisputably　of　the　moment；　not　a　memory；　and　Chyna　sat　forward　on　her　chair。　Tense。　Head　cocked。　Listening。
　She　wanted　to　believe　that　the　voice　had　e　from　outside；　so　she　continued　to　stare　into　the　night；　surveying　the　vineyards　and　the　hills　beyond。　Breeze…driven　waves　swelled　through　the　dry　grass　on　the　moon…washed　slopes：　a　water　mirage　like　the　ghost　tides　of　an　ancient　sea。
　From　elsewhere　in　the　large　house　came　a　soft　thump；　a