栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw:五月雨整理

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    thekiterunner

    by

    khaledhosseini

    riverheadbooksnewyork

    san

    postedtoalt.binaries.ebook

    1232005plaiversion3.5ybebetter

    theauthorkesliberaluseofitalianyofthebuttherestofthistextfileshoulddenstrategoodproofing.

    pyright2003bykhaledhosseini

    riverheadtradepaperback

    isbn:1594880001

    thisbookisdedicatedto

    harisandfarah,both

    thenoorofeyes,

    andtothechildren

    ofafghanistan.

    aoents

    iaedtothefollonitylae.iaratefultodearfriendtansaryfuidanyoldestfriendandtheinspirationforallthatisnobleinbabthereanddidnazrateverystageofthisbooksyauntforbuyingbooksystories.iyotherparentsfortheirthandun.

    istthaandfriend,elaier,forher,patienanydoorsinthistale.andiothanksusaersenkennedyfortakingathisbookandthehardaffatriverheadforlaboverit.

    last,idontknoylovelyaddieediteverysingledraftofthisnovel.foryourpatienduanding,iwillalwaysloveyou,royajan.

    one

    deceer2001

    ibeberthepreblingdeago,butitstheysayaboutthepast,iveleaed,aboutho.becausethepastclas.lookingbaoothatdesertedalleyforthelasttysixyears.

    onedaylastsuer,friendrahihaoeseehistandingiesover.hassantheharelippedkiterunner.

    isatonaparkbenostasahought.thereisaeandgedeverything.aoday.

    two

    esirror.ostperfehardbooleaves,eyesthatlooked,dependingonthelight,gold,green,evensapphireiidline,akersinstruntyhaveslipped;orperhapshehadsilygroiredandcareless.

    sotis,upinthosetrees,italkedhassanintanshepherd.hassannevere.hassanneverdeniedanything.andhead,orasdassooneasgentleasaliuldeverget.hethetree.heirrorandtellusotherhadtoldhithatthedevilshonerrorstoo,shoheodistractsliduringprayer.“andhelaughs,”healhisson.

    “yes,father,”hassanule,lookingdoe.oldthattherror,likeshootingyidea.

    thepoplartreesliheredbrickdriveyfathersestate.thehousesatosideofthebrickpath,thebackyardattheendofit.

    everyoneagreedthatfather,baba,hadbuiltthestbeautifulhouseinthes.goldstitchedtapestries,thevaultedceiling.

    upstairsybedroobabasrooandhisstudy,alsoknookingroo”elledoftobaesiaskedbabai

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twfiuldsit,butbabae.etoe.idsitbythedoor,kneesdrayesisatthereforanhour,sotisteningtotheirlaughter,theirchatter.

    thelivingrooobuiltygrandfatherandkingnadirshahtakenin1931,typarentsytheraslingyoungprinilingiababyinthatphotographandbabaisholding,lookingtiredandgriinhisar,butitsrahihanspinkyfingersarecurledaround.

    theyfatherstasteforextravagantparties,itdidjustthatalsteveryarblefireplace,ale.

    alargeslidingglassdooropeoaseint,peppers,andarohatneverreallytook.hassanandiusedtocallit“theo.”

    ohendofthegarden,intheshadoe,adestlittledhuthhisfather.

    itytherdiedgivingbirthto.

    ieehatilivedinthathouse,isteppedintohassanandalisquartersonlyahandfuloftis.udshaps.thereattressesonoppositesidesoftherooaingtheashad.

    itallshaoherherrhagedtodeathduringchildbirth,hassanlosthislessthanaostafghansnsideredfarhah:sheranoffhaoftravelingsingersanddancers.

    hassaalkedabouthisther,asifshedneverexisted.ialedabouther,abouteether.didheaetoneday,fathershousetoilitarybarrae.sa,andcalledhassan.

    “hey,you”hesaid.“iknowyou.”

    before.heane.“justkeeputteredtohassan.

    “youthehazaralookattalkingtoyou”thesoldierbarked.hehandedhis,deaiddlefingerofhisotherhandthroughthecircle.pokeditinandout.inandout.“ikher,didyouknobehindbythatcreekoverthere.”

    thesoldierslaughed.oheadeasquealingsound.itoldhassantokeepwalking,keepwalking.

    “e,yarroundhipulledhishoulder.“hetookyouforsooneelse,”ieoneelse.”

    ioldnooneanerizedthekoran,rriedsanaubar,aannieenyearsyounger,abeautifulbutnotoriouslyunscrupulousanandahnichazara.sheusinandthereforeanaturalchoicefor

    aspouse.butbeyondthosesilarities,aliandsanaubarhadlittleiofalltheirrespepteduntlessnintosin,alihadaalparalysisofhislousuosleahierpetuallygriaced.itileororetruethahroughhiseyes.

    ihaveheardthatsanaubarssuggestivestrideandoseeroneday,etothebazaartobuysonaan.i,huing,tryingtoitatehisspossiblythteverytiheplahatfoot.itseedaniggling.alituedaround,caughtapinghihedidntsayanything.notthen,notever.hejustkeptwalking.

    alisfadhiswalk

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.twfrightenedsooftheyoungerobabalu,eyn.

    “hey,babalu,today”theybarkedtoachorusoflaughter.“,youflatnosedbabalu”

    theyongoloidfeatures.foryears,thatentiohendreferredtotheiranothersoldhistorybooks.itedkhora.ibleethatnight,andypeople,thepashtuns,hadperseypeoplehadkilledthehazaras,driventheroheirlands,buedtheirhos,andsoldtheiren.thebooksaidpartofthereasonpashtunshadoppressedthehazarass,yteaentioher.italsosaidsothingsididkhekidsintheneighborhoodyellthosenastohassan.

    thefolloyteadthroughaupleofpages,sniartyrs.”heekindofdisease.

    butdespitesharihniadeofherdisdainforhisappearance.

    “thisisahusband”shetersuitedtobeahusband.”

    intheend,stpeoplesuspeehonortohisunclesbleshedhoughali,theageoffive,hadnoaospeakof.

    alialiatedagainstanyofhistorntors,isupposepartlybeuotheinsultsofhisassailants;hehadfoundhisjoy,hisantidote,thentsanaubarhadgivenbirthtohassan.ithadbeenasileenoughaffair.noobstetrionitdeviattressiduchhelpatall,because,eveninbirth,hassaohisnature:

    heehassan.outhecasling.

    asoaneighborsservantbythegarrulousds,seenthecleftlip,andbarkedabitterlaughter.

    “there,”shehadsaid.“noilingforyou”shehadrefusedtoevenholdhassan,andjustfivedayslater,shewasgone.

    babahiredthesanursingaonursehassan.alitoldussheanfroayayofthegiantbuddhastatues.“assingingvoiceshehad,”heusedtosaytous.

    didshesing,hassanandiales.edtohearalising.

    hedclearhisthroatandbegin:

    onahighuntainistood,

    andcriedthenaofali,lionofgod.

    oali,lionofgod,kingofn,

    bringjoytooursorros.

    thenheindusthattherethesabreast,akinshipthatiuldbreak.

    hassanandifedfrohesabreasts.elaeyard.and,uhesaroof,words.

    newasbaba.

    hisir.na.

    lookingbaitnohinkthefoundationforhappeheerof1975andallthatfollohosefirstwords.

    three

    lorehasitfatheronostanationalafflieedthathissonaginedbabasats,ievertellbabafrohebear.

    itkhanasebabasfausnir.hurrikhaosay.atparties,thuotherooattentionshiftedtohiikesunflouingtothesun.

    babapossibletoignore,eveninhissleep.iusedtoburyttonyears,pulltheblaoverhead,andstillthesoundsofbabassnsobabasbedroohoythereverosleepinthesarooshisasteryto.itsonthelonglistofthingsiytherifihadeverther.

    ie1960s,khaoldbabahaddraselfdespitethefatostophisfoolishnessandhireanarayathisobstinatehen

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twbabasuayoney.rahihantoldbabahadpersonallyfuheentireprojebers,andlaborers,nottontioyofficialsustaeededoiling.”

    ittookthreeyearstobuildtheorphanage.ieerthedaybeforetheorphanageopened,babatookthalake,afeilesnorthofkabul.heaskedtofethassanhadtheruns.iyself.andbesides,oiatgharghalake,hassanandingstonesandhassandehisstoneskipeighttis.thestinagedaroundhisshoulder.

    e,eatingboiledeggseatballsandpicalled.theywere

    sittingonthedock,feetdanglingintheakingnoteshereandthereyeggandaskedbabaifite,thatifyouateapieceofeggshell,youdhavetopeeitout.babagruntedagain.

    itookabiteofsandberedarouhehill.sunlighttirror.

    “ithinkihavesaratan,”isaid.eiuldgetthesodaself,allihadtodohetrunkofthecar.

    outsidetheorphaheday,theyranoutofairaoholdhishatforhindiyfather,baba.hetuedbaitousledhairandshookhandtoo.iroudofbaba,ofus.

    butdespitebabassuertsinkabul.babaandrahihanbuiltaacies,aaurant.

    other,sofiaakra,ahighlyeduostrespeyfatherplayfullyrubbedintheskeptiyprincess.”

    eastheglaringexyfatherldedthetohisliking.theprobleofurse,too.ybeevenhatinghilittle.

    eaningthefivedailynazprayers,anddeusrizeversesfrohekoranandthoughheranslatedtheetisnsidereddrinkingaterriblesin;thoseat,judgntday.inthosedays,drinkingninkabul.noonegaveyouapubliclashingforit,butthoseafghansedie”inbroer

    bagsfroelected“pharcies.”theyetisdrathosethestoresreputationforsuchtransas.

    ,selfathebarhehadbuiltiheroohelistened,ookasipfroisdrink.thenheloselfintotheleathersofa,putdoeuponhislap.ifeltasifiustahislapinrtalfear.

    “iseeyouvenfusedyoureleainginschoolhactualeducation,”hesaidinhisthickvoice.

    “butifakeyouasinner,baba”

    “h.”babacrushedanicecubebeteeth.“doyoutoknoyourfatherthinksaboutsin”

    “yes.”

    “thenilltellyou,”babasaid,“butfirstuandthisanduanditnoir:youllneverleaanythingofvaluefrohosebeardedidiots.”

    “youanllahfatiullahkhan”

    babagesturedeanallofthepissonthebeardsofallthoseselfrighteousnkeys.”

    ibegantogiggle.theigeofbabapissingonthebeardofanynkey,selfrighteousorotheruch.

    “theydonothingbutthutheirprayerbeadsaeabookteninatoheydonteveand.”hetookasip.“godhelpusallifafghanistaneverfallsintotheirhands.”

    “butllahfatiullahkhanseenice,”isoftittering.

    “sodidgenghis

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twkhan,”babasaid.“butenoughaboutthat.youaskedaboutsinanditotellyou.areyoulistening”

    “yes,”isaid,pressinglipstogether.butaynoseanddeasnsound.thatgotgigglingagain.

    babasstonyeyesboreintoneand,justlikethat,iore.“iantospeaktoyounton.doyouthinkyouhaforonce”

    “yes,babajan,”ittered,rveling,notforthefirstti,athoeoaloneonhislapandidbeenafooltoeit.

    “good,”babasaid,buthiseyesatterullahteaches,thereisonlyonesin,onlyone.andthatistheft.everyothersinisavariationoftheft.doyouuandthat”

    “no,babajan,”isaid,desperatelyagain.

    babaheavedasighofiatienan.ireeredallthetishedidntehountilafterdark,allthetisiatedinneralone.idaskaliingho,thoughikisiheydalldiedalonghtheirparents.

    “an,youstealalife,”babasaid.“youstealhisehttothetruth.,youstealtherighttofaiess.doyousee”

    idid.iddleofthenight.grandfather,arespe,butthethiefstabbedhihroat,killinghinstantlyandrobbingbabaofafather.thetothekunduzregion.theyhangedhirohebranchofanoaktreekhan,notbaba,ethatstory.iotherpeople.

    “thereisnoaanan.andifiever.doyouuand”

    ifoundtheideaofbabaclathiefbothexhilaratingandterriblyfrightening.“yes,baba.”

    “iftheresagodoutthere,theantthingstoattendtothandrinkihirstyagain.”

    ifillhisglassatthebarandu.butihadlikehinotatall.

    inss.”thefarsiteaapoendyouroppohadsixtysendstoreplyeletterthatendedyours.everyonein,beisfaussookoered,“good.”

    thatyfathersaloofness,ihersbooks.thatandhassan,ofurse.ireadeverything,ru,hfez,saadi,viarkting.ythersbooksnotthe

    bhistoryones,iuyallothebookstorenearincardboardboxes.

    ofurse,rryingapoetendidntreadpoetryandgodforbidtheyshouldeverenrealboysplayedsothenstrueafghanistandidnthavetvsyet.hesignedupforsoepassionin.butiyo,albledaboutthefieldonseyaroverheadfrantiopen”thereieabundaoapassionatespea,uldntiifakediforaslongaspossible.iselftothebleakfactthathissoherplayorchsoccer.

    ireeroibabatooktotheyearlybuzka**ouantthattookplathedstofalee,atfullgallop,anddropitinasringanddoeseverythinginitspohithatday,theenonthefieldbellobledtheupperbleaflyingfroheirhorsesuths.

    atonepointbabapoiosoone.“ar,doyouseethatnsittingupthereenaroundhi

    idid.

    “thatshenrykissinger.”

    “oh,”isaid.ididntknoighthaveasked.butatthent,ichedhhorrorasohechapandazfelloffh

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twissaddleandpledunderasreofhooves.hisbodypedelikearagdoll,finallyrollingtoastopeleevedoionless,hislegsbentatunnaturalangles,apoolofhisbloodsoakingthroughthesand.

    ibegantocry.

    icriedallthee.ireerhoostly,ibabas

    valianteffortstohedisgustedlookonhisfaceashedroveinsilence.

    laterthatnight,iyfathersstudyspeakingtorahihan.ipressedeartothecloseddoor.

    “gratefulthatheshealthy,”rahihanwassaying.

    “iknoedrea”

    “and”

    “iostangry.

    rahihanlaughed.“hyourfavoritelors.”

    “iellingyou,”babasaid,“ilikethatatall,aherhekidsigreh.”

    “youkisyouarethestselfteredniknokhansaid.heethinglikethattobaba.

    “ithasnothingtodohthat.”

    “nay”

    “nay.”

    “then”

    iheardtheleatherofbabasseatyeyes,pressedearevenharderagainstthedoor,etisilookoutthisplayingoreetaround,takehistivehishovehere,ahere.and,youknosbaever.hejust...dropshisheadand...”

    “sohesnotviolent,”rahihansaid.

    “thatsnotean,rahiandyoukhingssinginthatboy.”

    “yes,aanstreak.”

    “selfdefensehasnothingtodoeanness.youknohassanstepsinaheff.iveseenityoeho,isaytohihotellingyou,rahithereissothingssinginthatboy.”

    “youjustolethiindhiskhansaid.

    “andselfbeesanstanduptoanything.”

    “asusualyoureoversilifying.”

    “idontthinkso.”

    “yrybecauseyoureafraidhellakeoverthebusinessforyou.”

    “noplifying”babasaid.“look,iknoandiappyaboutthat.envious,buthappy.ianthat.heneedssooroublesinasearyyoyson.”

    theing,asheybreakfast,hassanaskedifsothinge.ishitoldhiondhisownbusiness.

    rahihanhadbeereakthing.

    four

    in1933,theyearbabaenfroilyinkabul,gotbehionfreneenandthedeaduplesfiveyearoldorphanboybefrandfather,anofieeryforohisdespitethefaexetionsfrohedraft.theirfatherargued,butnottoovehently,andintheend,everyoneagreedthatthepunishnthadbeenperhapsharshbutfair.asfortheorphan,grandfatheradoptedhintohiso,buttobekindtohithatboywasali.

    aliandbabagreatesatleastuntilpoliocrippledalislegjustlikehassanandigreischiefheandaliusedtocause,andaliischiefandaroundali.

    butinnoneofhisstoriesdidbabaeverrefertoaliashisfriend.

    theadeindthatindthatto,thefaceofafghanistanisthatofaboye,ashavedhead,andloile.

    neverndanyofthosethings.becausehistoryisoovere.herisreligion.intheend,iunandhehingogethat.nothing.

    butostofthefirsttylifeplayiis,entireslikeonelonglazysuerdayyfathersyard,playinghideandseek,psandrobbers,entundeniablythetieittookflight.

    adsountainsofthenorth.akehassansitontheoandfirepebbleselsrears.

    ar

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twk,afavoritebookstore.ireerbeggingbabatotakeustoirajohnenandenes,butes.heachvieexikidsburiedcharlesbronso,iraher.

    ustysllingbazaarsofthesharenauseertsandthebeggars,pedcalaandrosetoppedhcrushedpistachios.

    duringthesyselfoutofbedaothebathroohassanhadalreadyoingnazybreakfast:hotblaarlade,alllyplaeadebed,polishedshoes,irofitfortheday,pasingingtohielfinthefoyerasheironed,singingoldhazarasongsinhisnasalvoiustangaonths.hassanstayedhoandhelpedalitodryintheyard,sthebazaar,rinatingatfordinner,eringthelawn.

    aftersetup,grabbedabook,andtrottedupaboyfatherspropertyinherewasanold

    abaery.onesuerday,iusedoneofaliskitesonit:“arandhassaansofkabul.”thoseadeitforl:thetreebeditsbranegranates.afterenthefruitandhegrass,iohassan.

    sittingthegroundasireadhitoriesheuldntreadforhielf.thathassanosthazarashadbeehehadbeennpoeandstories,sotisriddlesthoughistoppedreadingthosethaniunblingllahnasruddinandhisdonkey.orechapter.

    favoritepartofreadingtohassaneae,iallahnasruddinstoryaopped.“doesthatean”

    “hone”

    “iecile.”

    “youdontknoeans”isaid,grinning.

    “nay,aragha.”

    “butitssuword”

    “still,idontknoytease,hisslingfacedidntsho.

    “ysbecile.itanssrt,intelligent.illuseitienceforyou.estobecile.”

    “aaah,”hesaid,nodding.

    iakeupforitbygivinghineofoldshirtsorabrokentoy.iyselfthatendsenoughforaharessprank.

    hassansfavoritebookbyfarah,thetenthine,andsohrab,”thetaleofthegreatandhisfleetfootedhorse,rakhsh.rostaortallyesis,sohrab,inbattle,onlytodisverthatsohrabishislonglostson.strihearshissonsdyingwords:

    ifthouartiher,thenhastthoustaihysploredoftheethyna,forithoughttobeholdiokeedofther.butiappealeduntothyheartinvain,andnoegoneforeting...

    “readitagainplease,aragha,”hassaistearspooledinhassanseyesasireadhihispassage,andialhesfate.afterall,didntallfathersintheirsecretheartsharboradesiretokilltheirsons

    oneday,injuly1973,iplayedatletrithethebook,flippingpagesregularly,butihadabahetextaltogether,takehestory,anddeupo,thebleofdes,indecipherable,sterious.ythroat,oclap.

    “areyoudoing”isaid.

    “thateinalongti,”hesaid,stillclapping.

    ilaughed.“really”

    “really.”

    “thats

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twfasating,”ittered.iantittoo.thised.“areyousure,hassan”

    heiragha.ereofittorrow”

    “faseinalongti,hedsaid.ihadreadhilotofstories.hassahing.

    “”isaid.

    “ean,fasating”

    ilaughed.clutchedhinahugandplantedakissonhischeek.

    “hatfor”hesaid,startled,blushing.

    igavehifriendlyshove.sled.“youreaprince,hassan.youreaprindiloveyou.”

    thatsanight,iyfirstshortstory.ittookthirtyanagicdleaedthatifhe

    intotheselfsadsothathistearsuldkehiiountainofpearls,knifeinhand,s.

    thatevening,i,inhandsthetkhanokingpipesandsippingbrandyein.

    “ir”babasaid,reokesadethroatfeeldry.iidtenastory.

    babanoddedandgaveathitlerethanfeigerest.“ore.hejustlookedatthroughtheoke.

    iprobablystoodthereforundera,tothisday,itinutesoflife.sendsploddedby,eaostsolid.iedooffertoread.

    asalkhane.heheldouthishandandfavoredilethathadnothingfeignedaboutit.“yihaveit,arjaniuofejane.

    babashruggedandstoodup.helookedrelieved,asifhetoohadbeenres.ioingupstairstogetready.”and.stdaysiyveinsanddrainhisbody.

    anhourlater,astheeveningskydied,thetdroveoffinfatherseandhaoryandanotherfoldedpieileaetopursueplintaorhaseverpaid.thatwordwasbravo.

    ybedandkhanhadbeenfather.thenithoughtofbabaandhisgreatbigoing,andhoyface.ieandvotedinthesink.

    laterthatnight,curledupinbed,ireadrahihansnoteoverareadlikethis:

    arjan,

    ienjoyedyourstoryveryarandiingstyle.butthestiressivethingaboutyourstoryisthatit

    hasirony.youynotevenknoeans.butyoueday.itissothingthatsoersreachfortheirentirecareersandain.youhaveachievedithyourfirststory.

    doorisandalirjan.ishallhearanystoryyouhavetotell.bravo.

    yourfriend,

    rahibr >

    buoyedbyrahihansnote,igrabbedthestoryandhurrieddoattress.thatetheysleptinthehouse,e.ishookhassanaifheedtohearastory.

    herubbedhissleepcloggedeyesandstretched.“”

    “heti.thisstorysspecial.iyself,”itoened.

    “thenihavetohearit,”hesaid,alreadypullingtheblaoffhi

    ireadittohinthelivingrooytherblefireplathee;thisehassanahetale,hisfaceshiftiedclappingsoundhhishands.

    “shallah,aragha.bravo”heing.

    “youlikedit”isaid,gettiasteandhoitivereview.

    “soday,inshallah,youer,”hassansaid.“andpeopleallovertheories.”

    “youexaggerate,hassan,”isaid,lovinghiorit.

    “no.youous,”heinsisted.thenhepaused,asifonthevergeofaddingsothioaskaquestionaboutthestory”hesaidshyly.

    “ofurse.”

    “arted,brokeoff.

    “tell,hassan,”isaid.isled,thoughsuddenlytheinsecureesosureheedtohearit.

    “ayask,ankillhiselledanonion”

    ie.ivedlipssoundlessly.itappearedthatonthesanightihadleaedaboutoneofingsobjectives,irony,iroducedtoospitfalls:theplothole.taughtbyhassan,ofallpeople.hassanreadandhadenasinglewordinhis

    entirelife.avoice,ldanddark,suddenlyyear,doesheknohatilliteratehazarahellneverbeanythingbutaok.hoicizeyou

    “itofinishthatsentence.

    becausesuddenlyafghanistangedforever.

    five

    sothingroaredlikethuheearthshookalittleaatattatofgunfire.“father”hassancried.wesp

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twrungtoourfeetandra.icallyacrossthefoyer.

    “fathersthatsound”hassanyelped,hishandsoutstretchedtosaroundus.aelightflashed,littheskyinsilver.itflashedagainandaccatoofgunfire.

    “theyrehuntingducks,”alisaidinahoarsevoice.“theyhuntducksatnight,youknobeafraid.”

    asireneeoneshouted.iheardpeopleoreet,joltedfroleepandprobablystillintheirpajas,yselfihadenviousofhassan.notatall.

    unistupdétat,andthenindeceer1979,estreetsarkiartofastillongoingeraofbloodletting.

    justbeforesunrise,babasedshutandhisrunningfootstepspouhestairs.thenheappearedinthedoorethingonhisfaedasherantous,openinghisarheroadsaelephonedidntorried”

    sand,forabriefi,ieverhadhappehatnight.

    theyuonarchyhingofthepast.theking,zahirshah,aly.inhisabsence,hisusindaoudkhanhadehekingsfortyyearreignhabloodlessup.

    ireerhassanandioingoutsidefathersstudy,asbabaandrahihansippedblackteaandlisteobreakingneheuponradiokabul.

    “aragha”hassanwhispered.

    “”

    “sarepublic”

    ishrugged.“idontk,”overandain.

    “aragha”

    “”

    “doesrepublifatherandioveaway”

    “idontthinkso,”ik.

    hassanhis.“aragha”

    “”

    “idonttosendandfatheraway.”

    isled.“bas,youdonkey.noonessendingyouaway.”

    “aragha”

    “”

    “doyoubourtree”

    slebroadehatypocketse.throughthefrontgatesandheadedforthehill.

    heresidentialstreetadropped.assefandtal,hingus.

    assefyfathersfriends,hod,anairlinepilot.hisfalylivedafee,inaposh,highpoundtrees.ifyouousstaieelbrassknuantherandafghanfather,theblond,blueeyedasseftooreets.flankedbyhisobeyingfriends,heheneighborhoodlikeakhanstrollingthroughhislandhhiseagertopleaseente.histlelegaleducatiohosebrassknucklestherightteagtool.i

    sausethosekeheoftheboysinedhissefgoshkhor,orassef“theeareater.”ofurse,hearedutterittohisfauddygutter.yearslater,ileaedanenglishhecreaturethatassefdoes:

    “sociopath.”

    ofalltheneighborhoodboysostrelentless.heeon,babalu,giveusasleandondaysparticularlyinspired,hespiceduphisbadgeringalittle,hey,youflatnosedbabalu,todaytellus,youslanteyeddonkey

    nootlepuffsofdust.

    “gooding,kunis”assefexe,itoightirelysaalsooostlyrefrainedfroarassingtooch.

    hetippedhistohassan.“hey,flatnose,”hesaid.“howisbabalu”

    hassansaidnothingande.

    “haveyouheardtheneir”

    “sodoesfather,”isaid.iy,ihadhatrueoot.

    “sodoesfather,”assefckedinaalandackledinunison.ihere.

    “ourh

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twouselastyear,”assefir”

    iinthisretepatchofland.babashouseeteraayedatthehouse.

    “doyoukoourhousefordinner”assefsaid.“ioingtohavealittleardtord.tellhither.abouthitler.nohereleader.

    ahatiftheyhadlethitlerfinishhehadstarted,theterplaow”

    “babasay**leryselfsaybeforeiuldyuth.

    assefsniyther,andshesgern;sheshouldknoter.butthentheyyoutobelievethat,doheydontyoutokh.”

    ididntknoingupthehill.

    “butyouhavetoreadbookstheydontgiveoutinsyeyeshavebeenopened.nogoingtoshareithoue.doyouknoitis”

    ishookhead.hedtellanyions.

    hisblueeyesflickedtohassan.“afghanistanisthelandofpashtuns.italeland,ouradeasyvision.”

    assefshiftedhisgazetoagain.helookedlikesooneingoutofagooddrea“toolateforhitler,”hesaid.“butnotforus.”

    hereaethingfrohebackpocketofhisjeans.“illaskthepresidenttodothekingdidnthavethequtodo.toridafghanistanofallthedirty,kasseefhazaras.”

    “justletusgo,assef,”isaid,hatingtheyvoicetreled.“byou.”

    “oh,youreb,”assefsaid.andisaeveryerethanthishazarahere.ho,play,lethiouent.assefnarroyourfriend”

    buthesnotfriendialstblurted.hesservanthadireallythoughtthatofurseihadnt.ihadnt.itreatedhassanorelikeabrother.butifso,theovisitesasaround

    assefslippedonthebrassknu,ar.ifidiotslikeyouandyourfatherdidnttakethesepeoplein,bynogorotinhazarajatheybelong.youreadisgracetoafghanistan.”

    ilookedinhise.assefraisedhisfistande.

    thereoventbehind.outoftheerofeye,isaething

    behindandelookolastonishntonkalaoosae.

    ituedandcafacetofacebledhthestrainofthepulledelastidandbeadsofshaderuptedonhisbrow.

    “pleaseleaveusalone,agha,”hassansaidinaflattone.hedreferredtoassefas“agha,”andiustbeliketolivehsuingrainedsenseofonesplaahierarchy.

    assefgrittedhisteeth.“putitdootherlesshazara.”

    “pleaseleaveusbe,agha,”hassansaid.

    assefsled.“ybeyoudidntnotice,buttherearethreeofusandtwoofyou.”

    hassanshrugged.toanoutsider,hedidntlookscared.buthassansfaceyearliestryandiknessubtlenuances,knedflickerthateverrippledacrossit.andisahathey.

    “yht,agha.butperhapsyoudidntnotiakeave,theyllhavetoefrosseftheeareatertooneeyedassef,becauseihavethisrockpoiyourlefteye.”hesaidthissoflatlythatevenihadtostraihefearthatiknevoice.

    assefsuthtalethingakintofaseonehadiliatedhiand,eoherooftheseriousnessofhassansiions,becausehelo.

    “youshouldkhingabout,hazara,”assefsaidgravely.“iverypatientperson.thisdoesoday,believe.”hetuedto.“thisisnttheendforyoueither,ar.soday,illkeyoufaeonone.”assefretreatedastep.hisdisciplesfollowed.

    “yourhazaradeabigstaketoday,ar,”hesaid.theythentuedaround,hehillanddisappearbehindawall.

    hassanblinghands.hisuthethingthatile.ittookhiivetriestotiethestringofhistrousers.heroneofussaidefortedusalittle.butitdidnt.notatall.

    fortheupleofyears,theientandreforanonarchyhadbeenabolished,replacedbyarepublic,ledbyapresidentoftherepublic.fora

    ensrightsaeology.

    andforthestpart,eventhoughaneheroyalpalakabullifeonasbefore.peopletourdaythroughthursdayandgatheredforpiifridaysinparks,onthebanksofgha

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.twrghalake,inthegardensofpaghn.ltiloredbusesandlorriesfilledpersandyelpeddireonth

    ofradan,kabulisdressedintheirbestandneilies.peoplehuggedandkissedaedeachotherubarak.”happyeid.childrenopenedgiftsandplayedhdyedhardboiledeggs.

    earlythatfolloin.“hassan,aghasahibpits,breathpuffingfroisuth.

    hassanandiexgedasle.wedbeening.

    alishrugged.“aghasahibhasntdiscussedite.”

    “eon,ali,tellus,”ipressed.“isitadraaybeaneol”

    likehassan,alieforourbirthdays.andeveryyear,hiseyesbetrayedhind.thisti,though,itseedheellih.

    babaneverssedhassansbirthday.foraodesttoaself.heboughthijaparuoussicasbedundsofsnoeachotherdead.

    ovedoursnoandressedinabroaie.

    “hassan,”babasaid,slingyly,“etyourbirthdaypresent.”

    hassananditradedblanklooks.thereatheticsteacher.

    theindianninthebroiledandofferedhassanhishand.“iar.kur,”hesaid.“itsapleasuretoetyou.”hespokefarsihathick,rollinghindiat.

    “salaalayku”hassansaidun.alivedcloserahishandonhassansshoulder.

    babathassansneddr.kurfroearisaplasticsurgeon.”

    “doyouknoandr.kursaid.

    hassanshookhishead.helookedtoforhelpbutishrugged.allikedintohiseyes.

    “arsaid,“jobistofixthingsonpeoplesbodies.sotistheirfaces.”

    “oh,”hassansaid.helookedfror.kurtobabatoali.hishandtouchedhisupperlip.“oh,”hesaidagain.

    “itsanunusualpresent,iknoind,butthispresentyouforever.”

    “oh,”hassansaid.helickedhislips.clearedhisthroat.“aghasahib,...”

    “nothingdoing,”dr.kurintervened,slingkindly.“itediberathing.”

    “oh,”hassansaid.hesledbaberedethesaline,reassureditbingdiyloins.cisedeahethingsifor.

    iekindofscarthatpathy.itfair.hassanhadntdohingtoeababasaffes;hedjustbeenbohthatstupidharelip.

    thesurgeryovedthebandages,butkeptourslesonjustasdr.kurhadinstruutteredsothingididntuand.iputeartohisuth.heagain.

    “tashakor.”thankyou.

    thenhislipste,ikneiling.justashehad,ergingfroisthersb.

    these.soon,ithislip.bythefolloiling.

    six

    er.

    hereisoing,stillinpajas,huggingaragainsttheouth,listentotheffledstillnessbrokenonlybythecaeoutandsee.

    onthsofplayingoingsatoingofbuildingsnown.

    andkites,ofurse.flyingkites.andrunningthe

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.twforafe.fortunatelyfor,baba.ireeronekid,ahd,us.hisfatherekindofdoadhadepilepsyandaldglasseshes.everying,ibedroohedriveadeapointofadandhisfathergetintothecar,ahdinhisyflannelpajas.ipulledtheblaoanduntilidriftedbacktosleep.

    ilovedeinkabul.iloveditforthesoftpatteringofsnoyyblackrubberboots,forthethofthecastironstoveastheostlybecause,asthetreesfrozeandicesheathedtheroads,thechillbetethaehouse,butindifferentspheresofexisteesheonepaperthinsliceofintersebethosespheres.

    everyent.andifyoue.idrollfroidetoside,keshadoalsonthee.ifeltlikeasoldiertryingtosleep

    irenajorbattle.andthatsofaroff.inkabul,fightingkitestlelikegoingtowar.

    asoneyinalittleporefroerat.boofortheatesandiusedtohuddle,pareourbattless,longingforeralready,greetedinsteadbythespecterofyetanschoolyear.

    butitquian.butheostfauskiteker,uddybanksofthekabulriver.ireeryouhadtoindandaskedfgerandfaisiebethefavorite.

    thekitefightingtouantoingonthedayoftheanddidntenduntilonlytheeerohetouantoutlasteddaylight.peoplegatheredonsideycase,hassanhespoolaheline.

    oi,abrattyhindikidilyhadreetoinuokeylassstring.”hassanandilookedateachother.crackedup.thehindikidthebritishleaedearlieriury,andtherussiansuallyleabythelate1980s:

    thatafghansareanindepepeople.afghanscherishcustoutabhorrules.andsoitple:norules.flyyourkite.cuttheoppos.goodluck.

    exspainidreadaboutonbedapireeforakite.abranappedunderhi**hat.

    forkiteruhestvetedprizeent.itethingtobedisplayedonantlefueststoadre.selffortheselfataspottha

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twthethoughtaheadstart.tensesclesreadiedtheelvestounil.necksed.eyeskled.fightsbrokeout.akite,allhellbrokeloose.

    overtheyears,ihadseenalotofguysrunkites.buthassaofinnerpass.

    ireeroneovercastthroughneighborhoods,hopping

    gutters,,buthassanranfasterthanidid,andiwasfallingbehind.

    “hassahinghotandragged.

    heotionedhhishand.“thisherer.ilookedup,sahatthedirectiootheohekiteing.

    “he.

    “trust”iheardhiseofhassandisappearingaroundareeter.ihobbledafterhispikesofpainbatteringscrapedknees.

    isar,andaroafistfulofdriedlberries.

    “achroilinghnausea.

    hesled.“site,aragha.”

    idroppedohilayonathinpatchofsheotheryousee”

    hassanpoppedalberryinhisuth.“itsing,”hesaid.iuldhardlybreatheandhedidntevensoundtired.

    “howdoyouknow”isaid.

    “iknow.”

    “hoanyouknow”

    hetuedto.afehisbaldscalp.“iragha”

    suddenlyidecidedtotoyalittle.“idontknow.wouldyou”

    “idsoodirt,”hesaidhalookofindignation.

    “reallyyouddothat”

    hethreeapuzzledlook.“do”

    “eatdirtifitoldyouto,”isaid.ikneifhedidntknoebigethingfasatingalbeitinasiifyingglass.

    hiseyesseare.ery,andanother,asendfaont,longenoughtoleaveaybeidseenitsoplacebefore.thenhassanblinkedanditagain.justhassan.

    “ifyouasked,ie.idroppedeyes.tothisday,ifindithardtogazedirectlyatpeoplelikehassan,peopleeaneveryheysay.

    “butietodosuyiy.

    iile.“doupid,hassan.youkno.”

    hassauedthesle.excepthisdidntlookforced.“iknoeahingtheysay.theythinkeveryoneelsedoestoo.

    “hereites,”hassansaid,pointingtothesky.herosetohisfeetandtingtoeleeofkiterunners.buttheye.becausehassanstoodsiling,

    aygodifheexists,thatisstrikeblindifthekitedidntjustdropintohisoutstretchedar.

    intheerof1975,isae.

    usually,eaentyneighborhood,ent.thisentintyfiveyears.

    onenightthattotellthestoryaboutthetheuntainsiandforaybeyoullentthisyear.doyouthink”

    ididntknoeakeyies,ideveothefinalthree.butingefroissonandjustigine.ifididwin...

    babaskedhispipeandtalked.ipreteolisten.butiuldntlisten,notreally,beylifeasaghostinthishouseyselfdreaiiginedionandlaughteroverdinnerinsteadofsilencebrokenonlybythekingofsilverheoccasionalgrunt.ienvisioakingafridaydriveinbaba

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twsan,stoppingontheefriedtroutandpotatoes.aybebabae.ybebabaystories.idahundredifithoughthedreadone.ybehedcallarjanlikerahihandid.andybe,justybe,iyther.

    babaeaboutthetihededay.isled,nodded,laughedatalltherightplaces,but

    ihardlyheardaissionnoe.

    its.hassanandisatuhekursiandplayedpanjparastledtreebraappedoday,idaskedalitosetupthekursiforusricheaterunderaloableveredhathick,quiltedbla.

    arouable,hearraressesandanyastostlypanjpar.

    ikilledhassanstenofdiands,playedhikhaneheregnizedasassefsfather.throughthehescratchysoundofradiokabulnews.

    hassankilledthesixas.

    “hesayssodayelevisioninkabul,”isaid.

    “who”

    “daoudkhan,youass,thepresident.”

    hassangiggled.“iheardtheyalreadyhaveitiniran,”hesaid.isighed.“thoseiranians...”foralotofhazaras,iranrepresentedasanostiranianss.butireeredsothingteacherhadsaidthatsueraboutiranians,thattheyoothtalkersyteacherostpeoplearoundtheap.“ithurtstosaythat,”hesaid,shrugging.“butbettertogethurtbythetruththanfortedhalie.”

    “illbuyyouonesoday,”isaid.

    hassansfacebrightened.“atelevisionintruth”

    “sure.andnottheblade.”

    “illputitontable,ydrawings,”hassansaid.

    hissayingthatdekindofsad.sadforudshatheyard,theapairofqueensandaten.

    hassanpiorrow.”

    “youthinkso”

    “inshallah,”hesaid.

    “inshallah,”ielips.thatnpure,youal.

    ikilledhiskingandplayedhiyfinalewin.

    “aragha”

    “”

    “youknoynd.“itsho.”

    “ever,”isaid.“getreadytoloseagain.”

    seven

    theing,ashebreehedhadadrea“khan,andthousandsofotherpeople,”hesaid.“itandsunny,andthelakeirror.butnoonengbeingatthebottoing.”

    hepouredae.“soeveryoneissonster,yousay.illshongang.”

    “butyouts.”

    hassanlaughed.“itsadreaaragha,youing.irandhassan,sultansofkabul,andoneyfinit.”

    “soean”isaid.

    heatednaanarlade,placeditonaplate.“idontknoe.”

    “bdreanothinghappensinit.”

    “fathersaysdreaaleansothing.”

    isippedsotea.“,thenhessosrt,”isaid,reostapologized,thendidnt.hassaoodie.

    upstairs,iuldhearthe.

    thestreetsglistenedelessblue.snoulberrytreesthatlinedourstreet.oveight,snotteraprayerunderhisbreathhealthehouse.

    ihadneverseensonypeopleonourstreet.kidsakinglastnutepreparations.frodjaedingfroherses,andthesifahdzahirblaringfrodzahirhadrevolutionizedafghansis,andhostothetraditionaltablaandharniuonstageoratparties,heshirkedtheaustereandnearlyrosestaiseveuedgazetoourrooftop,foundbabaandrahihansittingonabench,bothdressediners,sippingtea.babaould

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twnttellifheeorhassan.

    “started,”hassansaid.hesandabrightgreenchapahickserandfadedrduroypants.sunlight,isahepinkscarabovehisliphadhealed.

    suddenlyie.eliketheheatofablisteringsun.thise.

    “iotsureitoflyakitetoday,”isaid.

    “itsabeautifulday,”hassansaid.

    ishiftedoriedtopeelgazeaourrooftop.“idontknoe.”

    theeppedtoeand,ihingthatseplenty.thatfortabletohavesooneyouneeded.

    “nonster,”isaid,feelingalittlebetter,toownsurprise.

    hesled.“nonster.”

    “areyousure”

    heclosedhiseyes.nodded.

    ilookedtothekidsscaeringdohestreet,flingingsnoisabeautifulday,isntit”

    “letsfly,”hesaid.

    itoaybehassanhaddeuphisdreaadeupoot,thesillydreaadliftedsoofay.ybeishouldtakeoffshirt,takeasinthelake.

    “letsdoit,”isaid.

    hassansfaarkedistakablesignature.helickedhisfingeraup,testedther,hedkickupdusttoseeyhandsuntilhassanstopped,aboutfiftyfeetapicathleteshoedal.ijerkedthestringtossedthekite.

    adeupndaboutgod.butydiniyatylips,itteredit.itookadeepbreath,exhaled,andpulledoring.ieadeasoundlikeapaperbirdflappingitse.ihandedhihespool,holdingontothestring,andhespunitquicklytorolltheloosestringba.

    atleasttingforprey.berdoubled,andred,blue,andyelloyhair.theelift,kethese,hassahespool,hishandsalreadybloodiedbythestring.

    sooingstartedandthefirstofthedefeatedkitestheskylikeshootingstarseoneshoutedreportsofafightbreakingouttreetsdown.

    ikeptstealingglanenjoyefailthatinddriftedhthekite.

    theyingdouygazebae.itangledabiteiatientandtriedtocutfroelow.

    upanddophantly,their.ihadhassanholdthestringandsuyfingeragainstjeans.

    berofsurvivingkitesdybefiftytoadozen.i.iddeittothelastdozen.ikakeaheguysedthislong

    pletrapsliketheoldliftanddive,hassansfavoritetrick.

    bythreeo.shadoyneckyheart,likesnoe.

    eyeskeptretuingtoabluekitethathadbeehour.

    “hoanyhashecut”iasked.

    “iuntedeleven,”hassansaid.

    “doyouknoightbe”

    hassahehadhebluekiteslicedabigpurpleoneandsier,hedothert.

    afterahirtynutes,onlyfourkitesreined.andiediuldhardlykeaove,asifeverygustofyfavor.idneverfeltsoinnd,soluyeyesoffthesky.ihadtoninutesandedlikealaughabledreahatinghadsuddenlybeereality:iteaherguy.thebluekite.

    thetensionintheairybloodyhands.peoplepingtheirfeet,edntuandfriedpakoradriftedfroooftopsandopendoors.

    butalli

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twheardalliyselftohearyhead.allisaelledption.ifbabaeaybejustbraggingrights.butthisyoneeonebloesothat,ystring,idypain,longing.ideooeknoatterofwhen.

    ittuedouttobesoohanlater.agustofykiteanditookadvantage.fedthestring,pulledup.loopedkiteontopoftheblueone.iheldposition.thebluekitekneaofthejabutididgo.iheldposition.the”greanstingfladiatorstokill,kill

    “yourealstthere,araghaalstthere”hassaning.

    theyeyesandloosenedgriporing.itslicedfingersagainastheingandhisarneck.

    “bravobravha”

    iopenedeyes,saeloosefrospeedihing.nothingabove.blackleatherat,redscarf,fadedjeans.athinboy,alittlesalloeaeachother.

    theniing,ahingyfreearroundhassanandiraghayouwon”

    “ent,idblinkandrousefrohisbeautifuldreagetoutofbed,rentofteatlast.

    butheethingnootioninghhishandsinaood.“hassan,we”

    “iknobraofhisgreenchapandragginginthesno.

    “hassan”icalled.“ebackhit”

    heouth.“foryouathousandtisover”hesaid.thenhesledhishassansleanddisappearedarouheiisasleunabashedlylikethatysixyearslater,inafadedpolaroidphotograph.

    ibegantopullkitebae.ishookhands,saidthanks.theyoungerkidslookedatybayhair.ipulledoringauedeverysle,butndhebluekite.

    finally,ihadkiteinhand.iyfeetaroundthespool,shookafeorehands,andtrottedho.heirongates,aliingoherside.hestuckhishandthroughthebars.“ngratulations,”hesaid.

    igavehiykiteandspool,shookhishand.“tashakor,alijan.”

    “ie.”

    “thenkeeppraying.do.”

    ihurriedbayhead,ihaditallplanned:idkeagraranybloodiedhands.headsandsohrabsizii,aoption.andthener,ofurse.else

    thestreetsofesoreetbetpoundssurroundedbyeightfoote,stillsittingontheirrooftops,shoutedtheirngratulationsto.

    fourstreetssouthofours,isaar,thesonofanengineeraratesinfrade,andoihedgivenafountaihekindyouhadtoloadhacartridge.

    “iheardyouir,”hesaid.“ngratulations.”

    “thanks.haveyouseenhassan”

    “yourhazara”

    inodded.

    orheadedtheballtohisbrother.“ihearhesagreatkiterunner.”hisbrotherheadedtheballba.orean,hthosetightlittleeyes,hohing”

    hisbrhed,ashortburst,andaskedfortheball.noredhi

    “haveyouseenhi

    orflickedathuoverhisshoulder,pointingsouthrunningtohebazaarawhileago.”

    “thanks.”iscuttledaway.

    bythetiireaosque,thellahbelloissedanyofthefivedailyprayers.evenself,dratheeoutafeier,sling,findsittingagainsttheissprayertonight,though,bee.

    thebazaarerudbetloselypackedcubicleswhereyou

    uldbuyafreshlyslaughteredpheasantiandandacalcu

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twlatorfroheadjayebeggarsdressedinlayersoftatteredrags,thevendorsertsandbutchersclosingshopfortheday.ifoundnosignofhassan.

    istoppedbyadriedfruitstand,deserulehcratesofpineseedsandraisins.heurban.

    hepausedtolookatforalongtibeforeansighthaveseenhi”

    “hwaydidhego”

    heeyedupahedaylookingforahazara”hisglaheratandjeans.inafghanistan,oeri,especiallyifitsendhand,h.

    “iofindhiagha.”

    “indedselfthatiatienceakehiellanyfaster.

    “hesourservantsson,”isaid.

    theoldnraisedapeppergrayeyebroaster.hisfathershouldgetonhisknees,shedustatyourfeethhiseyelashes.”

    “areyougoingtotelloot”

    herestedanarnthelesback,pointedsouth.“ithinkisaheboyyoudescribedrunningthateinhishand.ablueone.”

    “hedid”isaid.foryouathousandtisover,hedprosed.goodoldhassan.goodoldreliablehassan.hedkepthisproseandrukitefor.

    “ofurse,theyveprobablyulesback.

    “who”

    “theotherboys,”hesaid.“theoneschasinghitheyakinglatefoainaz.”

    butiblingdohelane.

    forthefeinutes,isuredthebazaarinvaiheoldryhandsonthatkite...ipokedheadbehindeverylane,everyshop.nosignofhassan.

    ihadbeguntoupahead.idreaainthhfarebisegthebazaar.ituedontothe

    ruttedtraayhavetuledinthespring.toothersidestflattoppedorethandshastcasesseparatedbynarrowalleys.

    iheardthevoie,ingfrohealleys.iouthofthealley.heldbreath.peekedaroundtheer.

    hassan,sittingonpilesofscrapandrubble,ykeytobabasheart.

    bloiddle,assef.ifeltbodyyspine.assefseedrelaxed,.heasseftohassan,liketheyderedsokindofalthatonlyassefuldta.

    “,hazara”assefsaid,tuingthebrassknucklesinhishand.“yousaidtheyllhavetocallyouoneeyedassef.thatsright.oneeyedassef.thatseasytobecleverwhenyoureholdingaloadedon.”

    irealizedistillhadhedout.iexhaled,sloery.

    “buttodayisyourluoodtive.doyousaytothat,boys”

    “thatsgenerous,”kalblurted,“especiallyaftertherudennersheshoe.”heorinhisvoice.theniuood:

    heind.

    assefissivehand.“bakhshida.fiven.itsdone.”hisvoicedroppedalittle.“ofurse,nothingisfreeinthisypardonesallprice.”

    “thatsfair,”kalsaid.

    “nothingisfree,”waliadded.

    “yourealuckyhazara,”assefsaid,takingasteptooday,itsonlygoingtostyouthatbluekite.afairdeal,boys,isntit”

    “rethanfair,”kalsaid.

    evenfrhaentandiranthiskiteforhiiranitfairly.thisishiskite.”

    “aloyalhazara.loyalasadog,”assefsaid.kalslaughwasashrill,nervoussound.

    “butbeforeyousa,thinkaboutthis:

    eforyouhaveyoueveres,yourenothingbutanuglypet.sothingheplayethinghekickethingre.”

    “araghaandiarefriends,”hassansaid.helookedflushed.

    “friends”assefsaid,laughing.“youpathetiedayyoullyourlittlefantasyandleajusthohis.giveusthatkite.”

    hassanstoopedandpickeduparock.

    assefflinched.hebegantotakeastepback,stopped.“lastce,hazara.”

    hassansansthatheldtherock.

    “everyoutonedhiserat,tookitoff,foldeditsloely.heplaceditagainstthewall.

    iopeh,alstsaidsothing.alst.therestoflifeghthavetuedoutdifferentlyifihad.butididnt.ijustched.paralyzed.

    asseftionedingahalfcircle,trappinghassaninthealley.

    “ivegednd,”assefsaid.“iettingyoukeepthekite,hazara.illletyoukeepitsoitindyouofabouttodo.”

    thehassan,knoghiotheground.alfollowed.

    i

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twbitonfist.shuteyes.

    ary:

    didyouknothesabreastdidyouknhasakina,heaanfroayanandshesangyouoldthesabreast.didyouknohat

    ary:

    “arupiaeaudoltensilvereeddediers.

    hunu.idropoo.“inthenaofallahstbeakeshassanshandandputstherupiabayhandandihdra.

    adrea

    iaostinasno.theyeyes.istaggerthroughlayersofshiftingyaghostnoyfootprints.butthisti,affledreply.ishieldeyesandositup.outofthespseofvent,aflurryoflor.afaliarshapeterializes.ahandreae.iseedeep,parallelgashesa,blooddripping,stainingthesnorieoonlight.

    ahavofscrapandrubblelitteredthealley.ent.arustedcastironstoveidthegarbagethatiuldntstoplookingat:onehebluekiterestingagainsttheothecastironstove;theothersthroks.

    “idontki.hassanlayaland,t,theheelofhissnoscrushingthebackofhassansneck.

    “yourfatherfindout,”assefsaid.“andtheresnothingsinfulaboutteagalessontoadisrespectfuldonkey.”

    “idontknouttered.

    “suityourself,”assefsaid.hetuedtokal.“aboutyou”

    “i...well...”

    “itsjustahazara,”assefsaid.butkalkeptlookingaway.

    “fine,”assefsnapped.“allidoa”

    alheylookedrelieved.

    assefkbehindhassan,puthishandsonhassanshipsandliftedhisbarebuttoovedhisheadslightlyandicaughtagliseofhisface.sab.

    torroonthoftheslistsacrificedhisohesheepagainthisyear,apoeonehcrookedblackears.

    ullahreeathalal.babaoistodividetheatinthirds,ohefaly,oneforfriends,ahepoor.everyyear,babagivesitalltothepoor.thericharefatenoughalready,hesays.

    thellahfiheprayer.aen.hepiala,tokedeathsusfhtrespersistlongafterthebloodstainsonthegrasshavefaded.butialalseyes.absurdly,iigiheaniluands.iigiheahatitsiideseisfherpurpose.thisisthelook...

    istoppedethingyyfist,hardenoughtodratheknuits.

    ihadoesiandaccepte.oriuldrun.

    intheend,iran.

    iranbeyselfbelieve.iactuallyaspiredto

    bihadtoslay,towinbaba.wasi

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twtafairpriindbeforeiuldthit:heahazara,he

    iranbackthee.ranbacktotheallbutdesertedbazaar.ilurchedtoacubidleanedagainstthepadlockedseotherway.

    aboutfifteeer,iheardvoidrunningfootfalls.icrouchedbehindthecubidchedassefahertingby,laughingastheyhurrieddohedeserted

    lane.iforihehiyaleaflessbirchtreeontheedgeoftheravine.

    hehadthebluekiteinhishands;thatyeyesdidntsudsdgesdoself.hahekite.

    “wherehosehek.

    hassandraggedasleeveaething,butine.ieindignatiodforbid,ost:guilelessdevotionthat,stofall,iuldosee.

    hebegantosaysothingandhisvoiouth,ope,aaihesnok.

    “aghasahibandliedaway.

    ithappenedjusttheagined.iopehedoortotheskystudyandsteppedin.babaandrahihanileplayedonfatherslips.heopenedhisar.iputthekitedos.iburiedfa,ros,ifotiddone.andthatwasgood.

    eight

    forayclothesforthedaywere

    ironedandfolded,leftontheore.

    oneovercasting,asiyplate,aliwherehassanwas.

    “hebacktosleep,”alisaid,kneelingbeforethestove.hepulledthelittlesquaredooropen.

    oplaytoday

    alipausedsallheething”

    “ifyouhaveto.”

    “afterthatkitetouant,hecahoalittlebloodiedandhisshirtekidsoverthekite.”

    ididntsayanything.justkeptpushingtheeggaroundonplate.

    “didsothinghappenthasothitelling”

    ishrugged.“howshouldiknow”

    “youe,nayinshallah,youeifsothinghadhappened”

    “likeisaid,ho”isnapped.“ybehessie,ali.noigoingtofreezetodeathorareyouplanningonlightiovetoday”

    thatnightiaskedbabaifuchbabaold,notatall,andhehadlotsofyearslefttolive,soohosestupidglasses

    “”hesaid.lately,babaagreedtoeverythingiasked.notonlythat,justteifiaaryana.“doyouealongtojalalabad”

    azreez,”isaid.notfeelingwell.

    “really”babastoppedroginhischair.“s”

    igaveashrugandsankinthesofabythefireplaething.alisayshessleepingitoff.”

    “ihaventseenchofhassafesallitis,then,ald”iuldnthelphatingthehworry.

    “justald.soingfriday,baba”

    “yes,yes,”babasaid,pushingathedesk.“toobadabouthassan.ithoughtyoughthavehadrefunifheca.”

    “hetiled.winked.“dress,”hesaid.

    itshouldhavebeenjustthetaoihertayouionedheayoun,ilyherat,ybeshedliketotagalong,andsintohisdaughtersonthand...

    ayounbabahadtaughtatayouoalekaka,orunale,khala,oraunt.kakahoyounstelledofperfuanddancedhhereyes

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twayounstylaptoslapateaayultiloredtruyeyes,lettihtoseintheside.ita.

    “”isaid.

    “ient,”babasaidfroehindtheayounandhisilingatfroheddleros.

    “theresthavebeenahuesihatday”babasaid.“isthatabht,ar”

    “iguessso,”iled.

    “ahues,hoyounjan.nolaaf.andtheonlyoillflyingattheendofthedayirs.hehasthelastkiteatho,abeautifulbluekite.hassanandarranittogether.”

    “ngratulations,”kakahoyounsaid.hisfirstirjan,ehoadethell.onlyrahihan,sittinginthepassengerseatobaba,einanoddway.

    “pleasepullover,baba,”isaid.

    “”

    “gettingsiayounsdaughters.

    fazilalkarisfacetthroynewdress”shesquealed.

    bababegantopullover,butidid.afeier,iokingayounatostopyeyes,tuedfaedbehindeyelids,likehandsplayingshaded,fordasingleige:hassansbrosdiscardedonapileofoldbrithealley.

    kakahoyounsoherer,thegardenershapedlikeanils,andasngpooleraldloredtiles.isatontheedgeofthepool,etysaveforalayerofslushysdanglingin.kakahoyounskidsenellonialready,uldhearthephhtphhtofapressureoker,siayounhedbroughttheprojectoralongtoshoparisandheillshohosestupidslides.

    itshouldnthavefeltthisestoriesofhistravelstoindiaandrussia,thepeoplehehadt,likethearess,leglessupleinboayarriedfortysevenyearsandraisedelevenptpooliylegsinto.

    theaatsundo,tableonplatters.ihungrybutsatdooeatanychesbefore

    din,hoall,hoehoingvoi.peopleraisedtheirheadsfroheirplatters,ybackyeye.

    later,idnight,afterafeenlaydoattressesinthesarooivesgrunted,sighed,andsheirsleep.isatup.aoonlightstreadinthroughthewindow.

    “iayoungrunted.apartofeonooahit.

    ithoughtabouthassaheoneaboutussnginthelake.thereisnonster,hedsaid,justohelake.ithadgrabbedhassanbytheankles,draggedhiotherkybottoionster.

    thateaninsoiac.

    ididohassanuntiltheddleoftheylun,edunderhispuffedupeyes.butantlyagreed.

    uddysnoegrareeandikake.ishouldnthaveeupthehill.theirandhassaansofkabul...iuldntstandlookingattheow.

    heaskedtoreadtohiroheshahnahanditoldhidijustyroohelookedahee.andfor

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twthefirsttiinlife,iuldntf.

    ryoftherestofthateerie.,visitkakahoyounorkakafaruq.sotisrahihainhisstudyandsiptea.hedevenhavereadhioofstories.itonthsafterthekitetouant,babaandiiersedourselvesinasadeoftissuepaper,glue,andbaoouldsohobetweenus.

    butyselfinrooireadabookeveryupleofdays,estories,leaedtodrawhorses.idhear

    hassanshufflingarouintheihekingofsilverydar,icircledthedateofthefirstdayofschoolandbeganauntdown.

    todisy,hassaryingtorekihieerthelastti.iyrooreadinganabbreviatedfarsitranslationofivanhoe,ydoor.

    “isit”

    “ioingtothebakertobuynaan,”hesaidfroheotherside.“iealong.”

    “ithinkiustgoingtoread,”isaid,rubbingteles.lately,everytihassantingaheadache.

    “itsasunnyday,”hesaid.

    “iseethat.”

    “ghtbefuntogoforawalk.”

    “yougo.”

    “iealong,”hesaid.paused.sothingthuedagainstthedoor,ybehisforehead.“idontknha.ie.idontknoore.”

    “youhaventdohing,hassan.justgo.”

    “youtell,illstopdoingit.”

    iburiedheadinlap,squeezedtelesyknees,likeavice.“illtellyouiyoutostopdoing,”isaid,eyespressedshut.

    “anything.”

    “ie.ie,breakthedooropenandtelloffitadethingseasier,better.buthedidntdoanythinglikethat,andier,heybed,buriedheaduhepilloried.

    hassanlledabouttheperipheryoflifeafterthat.idesureourpathsydaythat.ydoor,intheedonuny.

    earlythatspring,afeeltedandthehillsin

    thenorthoing,andbabae,diggingthesoilandplantingthebulbsihaohiheehoostpeoplethoughtiterightoutandsaidit.“baba,haveyoueverthoughtaboutgettingnes”

    hedroppedthetulipbulbandburiedthetro.“chididyousay”

    “ihatsall.”

    “odothat”babasaidcurtly.

    “youurr.i.

    “isthisaboutyouandhassanikhinggoingoayingoutofit.”

    “iorry,baba.”

    heputonhisglovesagain.“igrein,helovedalilikehisoyfaly.foddayears.andyouthinkiustgoingtothroout”hetuedtonoir,butyoueversaythatagain...”helookedaesha.andhassan...hassansnotgoinganyand”

    ilookeddoyfingers.

    “isaid,doyouuand”babaroared.

    iflinched.“yes,baba.”

    “hassansnotgoinganyeandily.dontyoueveraskthatquestionagain”

    “isorry.”

    edtherestofthetulipsinsilence.

    ibledabouttheurtyard,kiiheoldusterildforfearrassnt.thatainess.babadroveahoutsayinggoodbye.

    ibypassedthecustoryparingofkitefightingscarsandstoodihebellrangandarchedtoourassignedclass,filedininpairs.isatinthebackroework.

    seanexyrhours.and,forayndoffyselfontuatoandiuedtothealley.tohassansbroostblack.

    onesluggish,hazyafteoonearlythatsuer,iaskedhassantogoupthehille.toldhianeoryidteodryintheyardandisaheharriedhejob.

    bedthehill,kingslltalk.heaskedabout

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twseanthteayfather,soietalrodtreatnt.

    onthortr,andthegrassedinthesunshihelaundryhangingonclothesliheiryardsstirredbythebreezetodancelikebutterflies.

    egranatesfrohetree.iunfoldedthestoryidbroughtalong,tuedtothefirstpage,thenputitdoegrahadfallentotheground.

    “youhthis”isaid,tossingthefruitupanddown.

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

    “ed.

    thelorfellfroisfa,thestapledpagesofthestoryidprosedtoreadhilutteredinthebreeze.ihurledthepograhiitstruthechest,explodedinasprayofredpulp.hassanscryhsurpriseandpain.

    “hitbathestainonhischestto.

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

    ihithigraheshoulderthisti.thejuinyou”iethepunishntiaybethenthingsuldretutohoagainandagain.“youreanward”

    idontknoanytisihithialliknoearedinredlikehedbeenshotbyafiringsquad.ifelltokired,spent,frustrated.

    thenhassandidpickupapogranate.hee.heopeandcrusheditagainsthisoisfieddoyoufeelbetter”hetuedaroundandstarteddohehill.

    iletthetearsbreakfree,royknees.

    “igoingtodoigoingtodoethetearsdriedupanditrudgeddohehill,ikneheansothatquestion.

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

    babasttoaboutthroeerseforhavinglivedtothirteen.thenirealizedtheyingfor.itybirthday,butikneherealstaroftheshoas.

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

    hisfalyalready.itkhane,asdelloriheat,thatbabahadleheoopenhisrestaurant.babahadrefusedrepayntuntildellohadshooney.

    iguessinstybirthdaybashokingoairs,leaningagainstdleduhegloihelightofkeroseorchesproppedeveryadzahirassesofdangbodies.

    ihadtogreeteaadesureofthat;nooneanners.ikissedhundredsoffortheirgifts.fayplasteredsle.

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

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twnoih,hisarrestingontheirshoulders.heledtheohere.likehee.babathahe.

    “ipiyself,”assefsaid.tanyasfailed,unnvingly,andblinked.iiced.

    “stillplayingsoccer,assefjan”babasaid.hedaletobefriendshassef.

    assefsled.itadeitlook.“ofurse,kakajan.”

    “rightall”

    “aegoodplayers.”

    babanodded.“youknoerforoowheniwasyoung.”

    “illbetyoustilluldifyouedto,”assefsaid.hefavoredbabahagoodnaturedwink.

    babaretuedtheousflatteringostknoelevel,theirshteheitriedtofakeasle,butalliuldhstochyfatherbondinghassef.

    assefshiftedhiseyesto.“alareheretoo.theyissyourbirthdayforanything,”hesaid,laughterlurkingjustbehesurfaoddedsilently.

    “eofvolleyballtorroyhouse,”assefsaid.“ybeyoulljoinus.bringhassanifyouto.”

    “thatsoundsfun,”babasaid,beang.“ir”

    “idontreallylikevolleyball,”ittered.isafortablesilencefollowed.

    “sorry,assefjan,”babasaid,shrugging.thatstung,hisapologizingfor.

    “nay,noharone,”assefsaid.“butyouhaveanopeninvitation,arjan.anyyfavorites.”heextendedae.“happybirthday.”

    heelledoflogneandhisblondhairbedbaentofeveryparentsdreaastrong,tall,anneredboyentionthee,hiseyesbetrayedhi,thefaadnesshidingbehindthe

    “arentyougoingtotakeit,ar”babawassaying.“huh”

    “yourpresent,”hesaidtestily.“assefjanisgivingyouapresent.”

    “oh,”isaid.itooktheboxfrossefandloygaze.iyrooybooks,athesepeople.

    “well”babasaid.

    “”

    babaspokeinalobarrassedhinpublic.“arentyougoingtothankassefjanthat.”

    ithat.hoe“arjan”“thanks,”isaid.assefstherlookedatlikesheething,butshedidnt,andirealizedthatherofassefsparentshadsaidabarrassselfandbabaastlytogetaassefandhisgrinisteppedaing,”isaid.

    isquirdourhouse,therekhanthatajudgehadboughtthelandandthatanarchitecthedesign.foohelot,stones,andweeds.

    itoretheassefspresentandtiltedthebookverintheonlight.itidatangleofweeds.

    ileanedagainsttheneighborsychest,lookingupatthestars,ingforthenighttobeover.

    “shouldntyoubeeainingyuests”afaliarvoicesaid.rahihanealongthewall.

    “theydontneedforthat.babasthere,reer”isaid.theirahihansdrinkkede.“ididntknowyoudrank.”

    “tusoutido,”hesaid.elboeplayfully.“butonlyoiortantoccasions.”

    isled.“thanks.”

    hetippedhisdrinktoandtookasip.helitaarriedonce”

    “really”isaid,slingalittleatthenotionofrahihaingrried.idalasbabasquietalterego,entor,pal,theoneeasouvenir,asaughat,atripabroad.butahusban**ther

    henodded.“itstrue.ieaira.sheetis.”heteetsebarrassingyou,arjan”

    “alittle,”isaid.

    “itilyandfriendsfroabultokandahar.iazatthesque,everyoheeahdyaschedourkidsplayhtheirusins...”

    hetookalonggulpofhisstyfathersfaysisterssplashedherfaybrotherjalala.”rahihanbarkedabitterlaughter.“itairaandagainsttheirjan:ihesjustthehings.”

    “sohappened”

    “thatsaday,fatherputhoiraandherfalyonalorryahefftohazarajat.ineversawheragain.”

    “iorry,”isaid.

    “probablyforthebest,though,”rahihansaid,shrugging.“

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twsheilyeoopolishyourshoesonedayande.“youkhingyouirjan.anyti.”

    “iknoeforalongti,likehelesseyeshintingatanunspokedidtellhialsttoldhiverything,butthee,andrightfully.

    “here.”hehahing.“ialstfot.happybirthday.”ityfingersalongthegoldloredstitelledthe

    leather.“foryourstories,”hesaid.iethingexplodedandburstsoffirelitupthesky.

    “fireworks”

    edeflaressizzledandexplodedintobouquetsoffire.everyfehebackyardlitupinsuddenflashesreen,andyellow.

    ihosebriefburstsoflight,isaethingillneverfet:hassanservingdrinkstoassefandasilverplatter.thelight,ahissandacrackle,thenanotherflickerelight:assefgrinning,kneadinghassaninthechesthaknuckle.

    then,rcifully,darkness.

    nine

    sittingintheddleofrooheing,irippedopenboxafterboxofpresents.idontknoajoylessglan.thepileera,atransistorradio,anelaborateele.ididntoney;babaeapartylikethatifihad.

    babagavetetheenvyofeverykidintheneighborhood:abrahadhighrisehandlebarsousbanahespokesebodyred,likeaediatelyandtakenitforafullbloeafeonthsago.

    “youlikeit”babasaid,leaninginthedavehisheepishgrinandaquiore.

    “ation,butonlyahalfheartedone.

    “ybelater.ilittletired,”isaid.

    “sure,”babasaid.

    “baba”

    “yes”

    “thanksforthefirehankyou,butonlyahalfheartedone.

    “getsorest,”babasaid,.

    theotherpresentbabagaveandhedidoopenthisoneoundkhaherboundnotebook.thatoney.

    isatontheedgeofbed,tuedthenotebookinhands,thoughtaboutkhanhadsaidabouthoira,hoissingherhadbeenforthebestintheend.sheeskakahoyounsprojeeslide,thesaigekeptflashinginndoverandover:hassan,hisheaddoioo.eitheruchhadbeeclear:oneofushadtogo.

    laterthatafteoon,itooktheslastnightsparty.papercups,crulednapkins,aybottlesofsodalitteredtheyard.alialongtheeandwaved.

    “salaaall,”isaid,k.

    heheldupafinger,askingtedethinginhishands.“theopportunityneverpreseselflastnightforhassanandtogiveyouthis,”hesaid,handingabox.“itsdestandnha.butstill.happybirthday.”

    aluythroat.“thankyou,ali,”isaid.ieanything.iopeheboxandfoundabrandneah,ahardbainfligartalohisson,thesbeautiful,”isaid.

    “hassansaidyourpyeofthepagesissing,”alisaid.“allthepicturesarehanddrahisonehpenandink,”headdedproudly,eyeingabookherhenorhissonuldread.

    “itslovely,”isaid.andite,”isaid.

    ieossingthebookontheheapofgiftsintheerofroobuteyeskeptgoingbacktoit,soiburieditatthe

    bottobeforeiyneywhere.

    theing,iyroooralitopty.

    thenitookaupleoftheenvelopesofyoing,kingphoneynedahandfulofafghanibillsu.

    iiheniknockedonbabasdoorandtoldefullies.

    throughbedroohehouseandouthsvedovero

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.twuldnthear.babapoihehouseandaliheyseparated.babacabacktothehouse;alifollootheirhut.

    afeontslater,babaknoydoor.“etooffice,”hesaid.“ositdotlethisthing.”

    iinutesorrebeforehassanandalijoinedus.

    theydbothbeeng;iuldtellfroheirred,puffedupeyes.theystoodbeforebaba,handinhand,andiecapableofcausingthiskindofpain.

    babaoneydidyoustealarsch,hassan”

    hassansreplyhin,raspyvoice:“yes.”

    iflihelastti.ilovedhinthatnt,lovedhiorethanideverlovedanyone,andiallthatiohelake.ieissthethereepain,butlifeoveon.ioveon,tet,tostarthaslate.iedtobeabletobreatheagain.

    exceptbabastunnedbysaying,“ifiveyou.”

    fivebuttheftndenonatorofallsins.an,youstealalife.youstealhisehttothetruth.oreeonhislapandsaidthoseethebeingthesonhedaledwhy“weareleaving,aghasahib,”alisaid.

    “hisface.

    “ore,”alisaid.

    “butifivehiali,didntyouhear”saidbaba.

    “lifehereisiossibleforusno,.aliglahing,about,aboutthekite,about.strangely,ieonekneeforiredofpretending.

    “idohesopen,palup.“idontuandeaniossible”

    “ihasahib,butsarealreadypacked.adeourdecision.”

    babastoodup,asheenofgriefacrosshisface.“ali,haventiprovidedibeengoodtoyouandhassanyourethebrotherineverhad,ali,youknohat.pleasedontdothis.”

    “dohisevenrediffient,ithoughtisaace.thataskhissorroyselftolookathassan,buthisheadped,hisfiofhisshirt.

    babaeoknow”

    alididnttellbaba,justashedidntprotestagihetinthatdiittlehut,nottogiveaagiherestraintitsthavetakenalitokeepthatprose.

    “othebusstation”

    “iforbidyoutodothis”bababelloeiforbidyou”

    “respeeanything,aghasahib,”alisaid.“ore.”

    “whereewasbreaking.

    “hazarajat.”

    “toyourusin”

    “yes.akeustothebusstation,aghasahib”

    thehingihadneverseenhiobefore:

    hecried.itscaredalittle,seeingagroansob.fathers.illneverfetthehat,thepaininhisplea,thefear.

    inkabul,itrarelyraihesuer.blueskiesstoodtallandfar,thesunlikeabrandingironsearingthebaeprayerareatedtorantlongsthekoran,struggliullahdronedonandahotbreezebroughtellof**froheouthouseacrosstheschoolyard,gdustaroundthelonericketybasketballhoop.

    butitraiheafteoonbabatookaliandhassantothebusstation.thunderheadsrolledin,paiheskyirongray.inutes,sheetsofrainyears.

    babahadofferedtodrivetheobayanhielf,butalirefused.throughtheblurry,rainsoakedybedrooiattress,rolledtightlyaysha.

    slitheringbeadsofrainsluiind.theytalkedthatontheroofofthecar.butpi

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twngshouldersthatthelifeihadknoeonandiytearsxingovie.ithepseofhassahebaanytis.

    isteppedbadallisaeltingsilver.

    ten

    rch1981

    ayoungansataus.sheethetrubledintoapothole,her“bisllah”peakinganinbaggypantsandskyblueturban,andthuedprayerbeadsovediprayer.theree,sittihesestrangersiarpaulinveredcabofanoldrussiantruck.

    innardshadbeenroilingsinyarrayofbarrassedfaesstooaned.,asustache,shookhishead.

    “tohaveastrongstoch.”

    babagruledsothingunderhisbreath.iiythroattastingbile.ituedaround,liftedthetarpaulin,andthreovingtruesbeforekarigreedtostop,stlysoientofhislivelihood.kariggleriteterssoutheastofkabul,her,toor,ruckhasendnvees,ingtodriveusacrossthekhyberpassandintopeshawar.

    itanshadbuiltfhanistanbatuisonourojalalabad,thecityofcypresstreesandsugarefieldsioheer.

    ihoppeddobankntonthesideoftheroad.uthfillede.istuledtotheedgeofthecliffoverlookingthedeepvalleythatykneecaps,andebeloblingthroughthevalley.

    standingontheshoulderoftheroad,ithoughtoftheyentirelife,asifearedhkoftapiledisink;laundryinthein

    thefoyer;bedsunde;babasbusinesssuitshangingihersbooksstillthekhanhadgivenfiveyearsearlierwasgone.

    intheing,jalaluddinourseventhservantinfiveyears.youuldnttrustanyoneinkabulanyreforafeeoruhreat,peopletoldoer,friendonfriend.ithoughtofthesingerahdzahir,ythirteenthbirthday.hehadgoneforadriveefriends,andsoonehadlaterfoundhisbodyonthesideoftheroad,abulletinthebae,peoplehadtospeakinacalculatedherafiqsstoo;theydtaughtchildrentospyontheirparents,totell.

    ybla,abookyside.thishadtobeadreahadtobe.torrooing,idfadisoke.kariaid.ioverheardhiellingbabahoherkneherussianandafghansoldiershecheckpoints,how

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twtheyhadsetupa“tuallyprofitable”arrahis.asifontossedhishisakingshootiures,hespatandcursedattheg.

    iitedonatangleofyretgandgroaningdroier.ourdriverletthetruckidleandhoppeddoogreettheapproagvoices.feetcrushedgravel.wordser.“spasseba.”

    anotherflieonelaughed,ashrilladeju.babashandanbrokeintosong,aslurring,offkeyrenditionofanoldafghanhathickrussia:

    ahestaboro,heaborosloylovelyon,goslowly.

    bootheelseonefluhetarpaulinhangihebaouth.behindtheaboneloredonhunginthesky.karindtheafghansoldierhadabriefexethingabouttoorandhisbadluingthenghisfiheedgeofthetailgate.eveninthediightoftheon,isapasseopassenger.despitetheld,sedfraveaadetheotherte.karilearedhisthroat,droppedhishead.saidthesoldieredahalfhourhtheladyinthebackofthetruck.

    theyounganpulledtheshaeaspaleastheonhabove.hetoldkarioask“stersoldiersahib”toshoerother,ybehehadaandbarkedaseriesofwords.

    “itshisprisaid.heuldntbriolookthehusbandintheeye.

    “butohehusbandsaid.

    karindtherussiansoldierspoke.“hesays...hesayseverypricehasatax.”

    thatytutoething,”babasaid.hesaidittokaributlookeddireeis.”

    theyspoke.“hesaysthisiseinwar.”

    “tellhiesandsit,evehanintisofpeace.”

    doyouhavetoalyheartfluttering.tyoujustletitgoforoikusallkilled.

    therussiansoldiersaidsothingtokariaslecreasinghislips.“aghasahib,”kariaid,“theseroussiarenotlikeus.theyuandnothingaboutrespect,honor.”

    “didhesay”

    “hesayshellenjoyputtingabulletinyoualstaschas...”karirailedoff,butnoddedhisheadtoanyhead,isaidaprayerihadleaedinschool.

    “tellhilltakeathousandofhisbulletsbeforeiletthisiis,itoowonderedifiwasreallybabasson.

    thebulldogfacedrussianraisedhisgun.

    “baba,sitdoeanstoshootyou.”

    babaslappedhaterkillgoodtearinghiopienhisfather”

    therussiansoldiersgrinneverfalteredythroat,iburiedfahands.

    thegunroared.

    itsdohen.iighteenandalone.ihaveihat

    buttheyheaduzzleofhisuptuedgunthatskeseanttoshootbabahadalreadyholsteredhisorelikegandlaughingatthesati.

    thesendrussianoffiheretofight,”hesaid.“buttheyarejustboys,aheyfindthepleasure.”hegavetheyoungerofficertheruefullookofafatherexasperatedisbehavingson.“thisotachedtno...”hewavedusoff.

    ntslater,henthefirstsoldiersvoice,slurryandoffkey,singingtheoldweddingsong.

    inutesbeforetheyounganshusbandsuddenlystoodanddidsothingidseennyothersdobeforehihekissedbabashand.

    toorsbadluahipar

    usheredusquicklyfrohetrutoaooryhouseattheinterseoftes,acaciatrees,andclosedshops.ipulledthe

    llarofatagainsttheeersllingradishes.

    oncehehadusinsid

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twethediylit,barelivingrookariockedthefrontdoor,pulledthetatteredsheetsthatpassedforcurtains.theookadeepbreathandgaveusthebadnews:

    hisbrothertooruldnttakeustopeshaedhistruginehadbloheillingforparts.

    “lasteoneexclaid.“ifyouknehis,whydidyushere”

    ioventoutoftheerofeye.thenablurofsothingzippinga,athingisaslaedagainstthedanglingtabovethefloor.kwerebabashands.

    “illtellyouakinggutturaltheerofhisuth.

    “puthio,”ohepassengerssaid.

    “itskiltheyouheoherussianofficerhadfancied,beggedhiostop.

    karilapsedonthefloorandrolledaroundfightingforairfellsilehantanhedidntevenknoostah,ean.

    sothingthueddoor.no,door,below.

    “eoneasked.

    “theothers,”kariaent.”

    “ho.

    “twoweeks.”

    “ithoughtyousaidthetruckbrokedoweek.”

    kariubbedhisthroat.“itghthavebeentheroaked.

    “howlong”

    “”

    “hoflisaidnothing.iurderouslookonbabasface.

    thestehingdank,likeldeynostrilsthentkaripehedoorthatleddoent.ps.alourrbuzzedthroughthebasehitthesouhingelse,ascratgsound.

    babasighedbehindanddroppedthebags.

    karioldusitshouldbeatterofaupleofshortdaysbeforethetrutosafety.

    thebasehehethirdnight,idisveredthesourceofthescratgsounds.rats.

    o.”

    babasnortedapinatterofgod.

    italandhisfather.thatalsittinginthebasentjustafe.buteovertooursideoftheroondisaalsface,reallysa...

    hehadplynoothereahollo.hisshouldershunal.igoalone...ale,youkno...triedtofight...god...tookhi..bleedingdoore...juststares...

    theretoldusafterent.thetruckwasbeyondrepair.

    “thereisaion,”kariaid,hisvoicerisingadthegroans.hisusinouggledpeoplees.heusall.

    everyoneexceptanelderlyupledecidedtogo.

    alandhisfather,theothers.karindhisusin,asquarefabedtherearaberbabacliedhalfhe

    ladder,hoppedbaptiedtheboxandpitheddleoftheunpavedroad.hekissedthedirt.poureditintothebox.stoheboxinhisbreastpocket,ohisheart.

    panic.

    youopenyouruth.openitsoouthanageisastrangledcroak.yourhandsehascrackedopenandafloodoflds.you.

    panic.

    thebasenthadbeendark.thefueltankyhandsbeforeeyes,didntseesoovent.iblinked,blinkedagain.nothingatall.theairostsolid.airyhands,doythefus,likesoonehadpeeledlidsba.nosecaughtfireing.ing,ing...

    andthenasllracle.babatuggedatsleeveandsothinggloyeyesgluedtothosefluorestgreenhands.i,ididntdareblink.

    sloeaysurroundings.iheardgroansandtteredprayers.iheardababyutedsoothing.sooched.sooneelsecursedtheshoraruckbouncedsidetoside,upand

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twdoetal.

    “thinkofsothinggood,”babasaidinear.“sothinghappy.”

    sothinggood.sothinghappy.iletnde:

    fridayafteooninpaghn.anopenfieldofgrassspe.hassanandistandankledeepinuntadgrass,iauggingonthelihespoolspinninginhassansories,peoplethesabreast.abreezestirsthegrassandhassahespoolroll.thekitespins,dips,steadies.ourtsousiiliar,ithinkitsyaeoneesovertheeforteaandcake.

    ididhthaterylivedin,aperfectlyencapsulatedrselofagoodpast,abrushstrokeofloronthegray,barrenvasthatourliveshadbee.

    therestofthatrideisserythateandgo,stofitsoundsandslls:gsrpastoverhead;staeit,and**.

    eeextistheblindinglightofearlyingasieertuingfaceuptothesky,squinting,breathingliketheofair.

    ilayonthesideofthedirtroadoarooingsky,thankfulforair,thankfulfht,thankfultobealive.

    “ir,”babasaid.hee.“kariaysheotakeustopeshawar.”

    irolledontochest,stilllyingontheoldirt,andsabingdoallvillagestrungoutatopasunbakedslope.

    eyesretuedtooursuitedof,thistionofhislife:onedisappointingsonandtcases.

    sooneing.no,n.eoneelsesaidittoo.theuedintoathroatrippingscreech.

    babaandihurriedtothepaalsfathertingcrossleggedierofthecircle,rogbadforth,kissinghissonsashenface.

    “healslifelessbodylayonhisfatherslap.hisrighthand,unofhisfatherssobs.“boyhebreathe”

    babakbesidehindalsfathershovedhiutteredasurprisedalsfathersguninhishand.

    “dontshoot”kariried.

    butbeforeanyofusuldsayordoathing,kalsfathershovedthebarrelinhisoouth.illneverfettheechoofthatblast.ortheflashoflightandthesprayofred.

    idoubledainanddryheavedonthesideoftheroad.

    eleven

    frent,califoia.1980s

    babalovedtheideaofarica.

    itericathatgavehinulcer.

    ireerthetont,afeourapartnt,ahisir,”hedsay.hedunttheffonhisfingers:ari”heusedtoakeaphhtsound“theyrelikegossipingolden.”

    thebitaboutisraelusedtodraontofbeingproje.babaeettheorteaahingaboutittakea.yourearabs,helpthepalestinians,then”

    heloathedjiyesinsedassaunishanleonidbrezhnev.“hesnotfittorunthisuntry.itslikeputtingaboyerieintheforfronaldreagan.andpire,”bababsup.hefradthepictureandhungitinourhallselfinhisthiieshakinghandsonten,gasstationattendants,andunothersllegicspressedtotheirfaces.babahelonerepubliourbuilding.

    butthebayareassgstunghiseyes,thetraffiheadaadehigh.thefruitpro

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twvehisbrokenenglish.buthesffedattheidea.“ybeillspelleandshoble.

    onesundayinthespringof1983,iallbookstorethatsoldusedpaperbaovietheaterjusttrakontboulevard.itoldbabaidbeoutiesandheshrugged.hehadbeenontandhadthedayoff.ijayontboulevardaerfast&easy,alittlegroeseuple,.ands.heyed.“heslikesix

    lliondollarnnoe,laughingtoothlessly.“reersixlliondollarn,ar”then.ion.

    irsteryingandglassbreaking.idroppedthebookandhurriedacrossthestreet.ifoundthenguyensbehier,allthesagazinerack,abrokenjarofbeefjerky,andshardsofglassatbabasfeet.

    ittuedoutthatbabahadhadnoforthees.hedylioneyinhispocketandthesonofadogylise”

    “baba,itsnotpersonal,”isaid,slingatthenguyens.“theyresupposedtoaskforanid.”

    “idonte.

    “yourenianbutyourfather,hesore.”

    “doeshethinkithief”babasaid,hisvoicerising.peoplehadgatheredoutside.theyaring.“kindofauntryisthisnoorustsanybody”

    “irs.nguyensaid,pokingoutherface.“yougetoutoricallpolice.”

    “please,s.nguyen,dontho.justdontcallthepolice,okayplease”

    “yes,youtakehio.goodidea,”.nguyensaid.hiseyes,behindhisdbifoagazineonhisadehirosehefathere.igaves.nguyenourtelephonenuerandaddress,andtoldhertogetaeforthedages.“pleasers.ookthesheetofpaperfroeandnodded.isaorethanusual,andthatdeangryatbaba,hiscausinganoldantoshakelikethat.

    “fatherisstilladjustingtolifeinarica,”isaid,byion.

    ithat,inkabul,aker.hedes.attheendofthenth,fatherpaidhiorthenuerofnotchesoick.that.ions.noid.

    butididheithanked.nguyenfoote.hesulkedahebalnyadericehchieck

    stepeshailladjusting.

    eihatnight.aftertes,babapushedae.

    iglanan.hessedpeoplellinginandoutofhishouse,ssedandhisfather,kne,sihhis.

    for,aricayries.

    forbaba,aplacetouhis.

    “ybeyglassofonthsinpeshayonebedroopartntslledlikedirtysoafghanseoneeoneelseaharniuteaosquitoesstoppedbuzzing,andclappinghandsgrewsore.

    “youorelikeho,”isaid.

    “peshae.notgoodforyou.”

    “youworksohardhere.”

    “itsnotsobadnoeaningsine,didi”

    ireayhandonhis.studenthand,einkabul.noeriir.

    justohafterepinggas,runningtheregister,etisandfindhiookingforapaerile,hiseyesfatigue.

    thesadayheanpledsle.shedtoldoshesanginchurdibelievedher

    shehadavoiilkandhoney.babadroppedthestapsonherdesk.“thankyoubutidontericaihankyouvery

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twoney.”

    s.dobbinsblinked.pips,lookedfroetobabalikeiliatingfoodstantsattheor.

    thatsuerof1983,igraduatedfroighseerlosingbabainthesoffalies,flashingoviples,andhadnthebeentallerinkabulheeoneheeandiled.hetionedfortoyrtarboard,andtookapieiledforhihanne.hee,yneir,”hesaid.proud.hiseyesgleadhatandilikedbeingonthereceivingendofthatlook.

    hetooktoanafghankabobhouseinhayuieney,ybegotollegethefolloeoneofhisslderingbabalooks,aongue.

    afterdinner,babatooktoabaratherestaurant.theplauyfriend,”hesaid,pattingtheoldnontheback.theoldfelloiled.hehadnoupperteeth.

    babafinishedhisbeerinthreegulpsandorderedanother.hehadthreebeforeiforihenhehadboughttheoldnasteofpoolplayerstoapit.soohisanahandfulofquarters.hepoihejukebox.“tellhioplayhisfavoritesongs,”hesaidto.theoldnnoddedandgavebabaasalute.soon,untrysiclikethat,babahadstartedaparty.

    atonepoint,babastood,raisedhisbeer,spillingitonthesafloor,andyelled,“**therussia”thebarslaughter,thenitsfullthroatedechofolloanotherroundofpitchersforeveryone.

    iling.

    idroveushoinbabasold,oelledtobahindalhol,sandpu.buthesatupoppedthedsaidinahoarsevoice,“keepdrivingtotheendoftheblock.”

    “why,baba”

    “justgo.”hehadparkatthesouthendofthestreet.hereaeasetofkeys.“there,”hesaid,pointingtothefrontofus.itodelford,longandoonlight.“itneedspainting,andillhaveoheguysatthestationputiruns.”

    itookthekeys,stunned.ilookedfroiothecar.

    “youllogotollege,”hesaid.

    itookhishandinne.squeezedit.eyesearingoverandiheshadohathidourfaces.“thankyou,baba.”

    houe,allthathebarrasshi“tashakor,”irepeatedinstead.

    hesledandleanedbaosttougtheceiling.sayanything.justsatinthedark,listehetinktinkoftheengineoling,thee.“ihustoday,”hesaid.

    apairofsteelhandsye.irolleddoheedforthesteelhandstoloosentheirgrip.

    iseeds,hispersonaltrustedantidotefoverheadaches.

    “ithinkilljorinenglish,”isaid.iingforhisreply.

    “english”

    “creativeing.”

    hehis.sippedhistea.“stories,youan.youllkeupstories.”ilookeddoyfeet.

    “theypayforthat,kingupstories”

    “ifyood,”isaid.“andifyougetdisvered.”

    “hohat,gettingdisvered”

    “ithappens,”isaid.

    henodded.“andoneyifyourry,ho”

    iuldntlifteyestoethis.“ill...findajob.”

    “oh,”hesaid.“allightsodayhelpyouget...disvered.”hetookadeepbreathandsippedhistea.gruhingaboutdicalschool,lahool,and“realwork.”

    e,theguiltofindulgitheexpenseofhisulcer,hisblageailsandags.butiwo

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twuldstandground,ideeihaddohat,ihaddaedself.

    babasighedand,thisti,tossedaoeedsinhisuth.

    sotis,igotbehindtheyford,rolleddotheeastbaytothesouthbay,upthepeninsulaandbaallsbigenoughtoholdfivesiltaneousbuzka**ouants.idrovethetorinoupthehillsoflosaltos,idlingpastestatesesanicuredesthatdebabashouseinshut.

    idgetupearlysosaturdayingsanddrivesouthonhighountainstosantaa.sittinginthedarkohassan,ihadalelledlikesalt.iusedtotellhassanthatsodayourtoes.thefirsttiisaostychildhood.

    sotisintheearlyevening,iparkedthews.saabs.

    porsches.carsidneverseeninkabul,ostpeopledroverussianvolgas,oldopels,oriranianpaikans.

    alsttarvelingatthesizeofthisuntry,itsvastness.beyondeveryfreeountainsanduntainsbeyondhills,and,beyondthose,recitiesandrepeople.

    longbeforetheroussiarre.acityofharelippedghosts.

    arieplaories,andnosins.

    iffoothingelse,forthat,ieracedarica.

    thefollorof1984thesuerituedtanoldafghanaportant,untilore.thebusetal,shatteredissionanhadntlied.

    onsaturdays,babaeupatdaappedourroutefrent,uniohers,andinavigated.allprofit:ashaight,aftersaining,bringin25.

    bythatsuer,afghanfaliesarket.afghansiarket:yougreetedtheguyaforabiteofpotatobolanioralittleqabuli,andyououfullyighttuoutthatthefellotoaprosinggaragesale.

    theonlythingthatfloorethahoseaislesarketondkolunistinkabul,andoneyarket.

    iraandsotisasbabasauntereddokabul:edoets,alongsideforraassadors,outofyprofessors.

    oneearlysundayinginjuly1984,thenan.iputtheperofthebus,anbushfor84sticker.

    “ar,”babasaid,tionihisisgeneralsahib,.iqbaltaheri.heinistryofdefense.”

    taheri.esoundfaliarthegenerallaughedlikeanused

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twtoattendingforlpartiesinorjokesofiortantpeople.hehadbedbaooth,tannedforehead,andtuftsofelledlikelogoonypressings;thegoldofapockethisvest.

    “su,baychild.

    “salaageneralsahib,”isaid,shakinghishand.histhinhandsbeliedafirrip,asifsteelhidbeheisturizedskin.

    “arisgoingtobeagreater,”babasaid.ididadoubletakeatthis.“hehasfinishedhisfirstyearofllegeandeaedasinallofhisurses.”

    “junie,”irrectedhi

    “shallah,”geaherisaid.“s”

    “ikhanhadgiven,barrassedbythenthisnspresence.

    “ah,astoryteller,”thegeneralsaid.“atdiffie.“speakingofstories,yourfatherandihuntedpheasanttogetheronesuerdayinjalalabad,”hesaid.“itarvelousti.ifirecallrrectly,yourfatherseyeprovedaskeeniasithadinbusiness.”

    babakickedaebusiness.”

    geaherinagedasiltaneouslysadandpolitesle,heavedasigh,alypattedbabasshoulder.“zendagigzara,”hesaid.lifegoesouedhiseyesto.“,andihaveheardnynfoolishlylabeledgreat.butyourfatherhasthedistininorityethelooked:oftenusedandunnaturallyshiny.

    “youreflattering,”babasaid.

    “iaot,”thegeneralsaid,tiltinghisheadsideility.“boysandgirlsstknoe.“doyouappredoyoureallyappreciatehi

    “balay,generalsahib,ido,”isaid,e“child.”

    “thenngratulations,youarealreadyhalfan,”hesaidor,noirony,theplintofthecasuallyarrogant.

    “padarjan,yotyourtea.”ayoungansvoiaybethatoftahneh,rostaotherfroheshahnah.hereyes,etne.heldforant.flewaway.

    “youaresokind,dear,”geaherisaid.hetooktheoothskinjustaboveherleftjaosinside.herhairspilledtoonesideidboxesofoldrerdsandpaperbacks.

    “daughter,sorayajan,”geaherisaid.hetookadeepbreathlikeaoyhaheeye.hispaleblueeyesrevealednothingofthethoughtsbehindthe

    fortherestofthatday,ifoughttheurgetolooktohegrayvan.

    itcatooaheri,ikneebefore.

    “estoryfloatingaroundabouttaherisdaughter”isaidtobaba,tryingtosoundcasual.

    “youknoe,”babasaid,ialktustogossipandiwalkaway.”

    “buttherethere”isaid.

    “oyly.

    ishruggedandfoughtbackasle.“justcurious,baba.”

    “reallyisthatall”hesaid,hiseyesplayful,lingeringonne.“hasshedeaniressiononyou”

    irolledeyes.“please,baba.”

    hesled,andsarket.hings...didshehadbreastcer.

    “ihearsheisadeir,”hesaid.

    lyingaark,hergentlyhookednose,andtheinouseyeshadfleetinglyheldstutteredatthethoughtofher.sorayataheri.seetprincess.

    twelve

    inafghanistan,yeldaisthefirstnightofthenthofjadi,thefirstnightofalithatileaedtheloreofyelda,thatbedeviledthsflungtheelvesatr.

    e.andoingsbed,sorayataherisbroyhead.inbabasbus,iuhelesuntilidseehersittingbarefoingyyelda.

    iiedexeshedgetupfroisdir

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twealltalkaboutyeyesnottopeelatooreadingapaperback.thegeneralandirynottoslouchasiwalkedaway.

    sotisshesatalohegeneralofftosootherroetissheiddleagedanisedselfthatirschoolsreopeheleavesreddened,yelloherainsofersin

    andore,andistillhadnthadtheheart,thedil,toevenlookherintheeye.

    thespringquarterendedinlatey1985.iaygeneraleduiraclegivenhoiuresandthinkofthesofthookofsorayasnose.

    then,onesr,babaandiarket,sittingatourbooth,fanningourfacesarketade160.igotup,stretched,andaskedbabaifheedake.hesaidhedloveone.

    “becareful,ar,”hesaidasibeganto,baba”

    “iaotanahq,sodontplaystupide.”

    “idontknoyouretalkingabout.”

    “reerthis,”babasaid,pointingat,“thenisapashtuntotheroot.hehasnangandnaos.”nang.naos.honorandpride.thetesofpashtunn.especiallyetothechastityofaer.

    “inlygoingtogetusdrinks.”

    “justdontearrass,thatsalliask.”

    “i.god,baba.”

    babalitacigaretteandstartedfanninghielfagain.

    irrison,orallthree,pressedonausielledpicklesandgrilledat.

    ispottedthetaherisgrayvantours,oakiosksellingngoonastiplyhoughtihad,exceptsuddenlyiandingattheedgeofthetaherisetablecloth,staringatsorayaacrosscurlingironsandoldies.shelookedup.

    “salaa”isaid.“iorrytobezaheididntantodisturbyou.”

    “salaa”

    “isgeneralsahibheretoday”isaid.earsyselftolookherintheeye.

    “hethatedtht.thebraceletslippeddooherelboolive.

    “istoppedbytopayrespects”isaid.

    “iwill.”

    “thankyou,”isaid.“oh,andnaisar.inyrespects.”

    “yes.”

    ishiftedo,clearedthroat.“illgonoohavedisturbedyou.”

    “nay,youdidnt,”shesaid.

    “oh.good.”itippedheadandgaveherahalfsle.“illgonoialreadysaidthat“khodahfez.”

    “khodahfez.”

    ibegantoynerve:“iaskyourereading”

    sheblinked.

    iheldbreath.suddenly,ifeltthellearketafghansshifttous.iiginedahushfalling.lipsstoppingience.headstuing.eyesnarrohkee.

    his

    uptothatpoint,ourenunteruldhavebeeninterpretedasarespeanaskingforthean.butidaskedheraquestionandifsheansojarad,asingleyoungn,andsheanunaerial,akindofit.poisontongueseiygender.notdidyouseehihattinggoalochak

    byafghanstandards,questionhadbeenbold.yself,alittledoubtastoiinher.butian,andallihadriskedydare

    shetuedthebooksotheverfaced.heris.“haveyoureadit”shesaid.

    inodded.iuldfeelthepulsatiofheartbehindeyes.“itsasadstory.”

    “sadstorieskegoodbooks,”shesaid.

    “theydo.”

    “iheardyoue.”

    hoaybeshehadaskedhiiiediatelydisssedbothshangirl,atleastqueriedherfatheraboutayoungn.andnofather,especiallya

    pashtunoos,ojaradhhisdaughter,notuhefelloionegar,asuitor,hehonorablethingahisfathertoknothedoor.

    incredibly,iheardselfsay,“ystories”

    “iespeakingforsuehhisdaughter.

    “ybeillbringyouonesoday,”isaid.ioreanidseenonoeandback.shesled.

    “arjan,goodtoseeyou,”shesaid,unloadingthebagoableila,sorayajansther.”

    “salaakhalajan,”isaid,earrassed,asiofteneandihadnoideawhoshewas.

    “hoher”shesaid.

    “heshankyou.”

    “youknoygrandfatheriledaile,andinotiouthdroopingalittle.hereyesvedbeteagain.

    idaskedba

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twbaonended.butheorebabakneansprospearryingen,espereputablefalies,eandgoneandnoonehadsuaboroforsoraya,noonehadpaintedherpalhhenna,noonehadheldakoranoverherheaddress,andithadbeeaherihherateverywedding.

    andnoan,thisther,ileandthebarelyveiledhopeinhereyes.iysex.

    iuldneverreadthethoughtsinthegeneralseyes,butikneuchabouthisohaveanadversaryinthiseverthisbeher.

    “sitdoirjan,”shesaid.“soraya,gethichair,hadhosepeaches.theyresandfresh.”

    “nay,thankyou,”isaid.“ishouldgetgoing.fathersing.”

    “oh”khanuaherisaid,ysalaaoyourfather.andebacktoseeusagain.”

    “iyeye,isawsorayalookingaway.

    “ithoughtyou.heeinasiltaneouslyseriousandplayfulakesothingup,buthebitintoapeadir.justreerisaid.”

    thatnightihoughtoftheyhead.hadshesaidiheardyouysheetsandstaredattheinablenightsofyeldauntilisawheragain.

    itoretalkativeotheraround.asifherpresenadeouretings,ifnotgossipproof,thenlessgossipeclearlyearrassedsoraya.

    oneday,sorayaandieaboutschool,hoont.

    “ajorin”

    “itobeateacher,”shesaid.

    “reallywhy”

    “ivealeeslcertifiedandnoothereachertoo,shetaughtfarsiandhistoryatzarghoonahighschoirlsinkabul.”

    apotbelliednialkerhatofferedthreedollarsforafivedollarsetofhaveit.shedroppedtheneyinalittleeshyly.“ialittleearrassedaboutit.”

    “tell.”

    “itskindofsilly.”

    “pleasetell.”

    shelaughed.“edzibatohelparoundthehouse.shehadasisteriniran,inshad,and,sinile,berlookingupsotisintheddleofhoeatinthepressureoker,thensittingdoeoherthenightbefore.

    “aalesofdaraandsarasloealeoraya,teachersoraya.”shelaughedagain.“iknoezibaethingreallyhwhile,youknow”

    “yes,”ilied.ithoughtofhoyliteracytoridiculehassan.hoaboutbigknow.

    “fatheretogotolaythersaledigoingtobeateauchhere,butitsi.”

    “thereachertoo,”isaid.

    “iknoothertold.”thenherfayselffroling.

    “ibroughtyousothing.”ifishedtherollofstapledpagesfroybaised.”ihandedheroneofshortstories.

    “oh,youreered,”shesaid,aetisterthatshedaddressedeandnottheforl“sho,”beherfaethingbehind.ituedaround.cafacetofacehgeaheri.

    “arjan.ouraspiringstoryteller.apleasure,”hesaid.heilingthinly.

    “salaageneralsahib,”isaidthroughheavylips.

    hevedpast,tobhookedinthebreastpocketofhisvest,theotherhaehepages.

    “theysayitealyputahandonshoulder.ookafeepstogether.

    “youkno,ihavegroherfondofyou.youareadetboy,ireallybelievethat,but”hesighedande

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twntboysneedrendingsotis.soitsdutytorendyouthatypeersinthisflearket.”hestopped.hisexpressionlesseyesboreintone.“yousee,everyonehereisastoryteller.”hesled,revealingperfeyrespeirjan.”

    hedroppedhishand.sledagain.

    “oneyforaroghorse.

    “nothing,”isaid.isatdoanyway.

    “akh,ar,”hesighed.

    asittuedout,ididobroodtoochoverhadhappened.

    becauselaterthatald.

    itstartedalariainindia.

    then,tughingaintothetoilet.

    “hohat”isaid.

    “sfordinner”hesaid.

    “iakingyoutothedoctor.”

    eventhoughbabaahegasstation,theohealthinsurantotheuntyhospitalinsahesalloselfasasendyearresident.“helooksyouhanyouandsickerthan,”babagruled.theresideusdo.

    “takethistothefrontdesk,”hesaid,scribblingquickly.

    “isit”iasked.

    “areferral.”scribblescribble.

    “for”

    “pulnaryic.”

    “sthat”

    hegaveaquickglance.pusheduphisglasses.beganscribblingagaiaspotonhisrightlung.itocheckitout.”

    “aspot”isaid,theroouddenlytoosll.

    “cer”babaaddedcasually.

    “possible.itssuspicious,anyuttered.

    “ore”iasked.

    “notreally.hereferralfor“yousaidyourfatherskes,right”

    “yes.”

    henodded.lookedfroetobabaandbackagain.“theyllcallyouhintwoweeks.”

    ihoehohthatword

    itooktheforin.thatnight,iyheadtotheground,irethekoranversesthellahhaddeusttoryinkabulandaskedforkindnessfrogodiullahnohaainty.

    t,theytoldtheydlostthereferral.ueditintheysaidtheyherthreehethreeoohecats,toseethedoctor.

    thevisitonologist,dr.seider,.dr.seidersaidrussia.babalostit.

    “exiledandstoodback,stethospestillinhand.

    “baba,ireaddr.sorearithanyouandiwilleverbe.”

    “idontifhetriestotouch.”

    “dr.seidersparentsfledfrohorayouseetheyescaped”

    butbabaetisithinktheonlythinghelovedasedsorry,doctor.thisisntgoingto.”

    thepulnologist,dr.ani,ani,asoftspokennustaassforpathology.hesoreonouse.

    ittuedoutthat,likesatan,anifnosis.dr.anibithislip,usedtheotherapy,ofurse,”hesaid.“butitive.”

    “ean”babaasked.

    dr.anisighed.“itansite,justprolongit.”

    “thatsaodie.”hehadthesaresolvedlookonhisfapsons.dobbinssdesk.

    “butbaba”

    “dontyouchallengeinpublic,ar.ever.hinkyouare”

    theraiaherihadspokenaboutattheflearketanisoffice,passingcarssprayedgriokedallthee.

    asheoace,baba.”

    babapoydecision.”

    “e,babaisupposedtodo”isaid,eyeswellingup.

    alookofdisgustselookhedgiveyknees,andouth,donthevasasgoingtohappentoyou,yousayallthoseyears,thatsiryingtoteachyou,hooneverhavetoaskthatquestion.”

    heopehedoor.tuedbaorething.noonefindsoutaboutthis,youhearnoone.idontpathy.”thenhedisappearedintothediobby.heaybethegodhehadneverbelievedin.

    forath

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tweflearket.adearagesaletreksonsaturdays,babathedriverandthenavigator,aup

    ourdisplayonsundays.brasslas.baseballgloves.skijacketstheolduntryandihaggledattered.likethedayieanorphaningcloserheachclosingofshop.

    sotis,geaheriandhisat,greetedileandhisttaherisdeanor.aretiilesaive,apologetiyhegeneralsattentionwasengagedelsewhere.

    ireerthatperiodasatiofny“firsts”:thefirsttiiheardbabaanihroothefirsttiifoundbloodonhispillohreeyearsrunningthegasstation,babahadnevercalledinsiotherfirst.

    byhalloidsaturdayafteoonthathedeandidrovethevwbusaloneupanddohepeninsula.

    sotisattheflearket,afghaary.theyeveheseentsstoppedpleslted.andhiseyesrecededintheirsockets.

    then,oneolsundayshortlyafteepshadetoastoagedioverhislegsh.

    “hey,n,thisguyneedshelp”thefilipinonsaid.ituedaroundandfoundbabaontheground.hisarandlegswerejerking.

    “kok”iyspittlesoakinghisbeard.hisuptuedeyesshohingbute.

    peopleeonesayseizure.sooneelseyelling,“call911”iheardrunningfootsteps.theskydarkenedasacroheredaroundus.

    babasspittletuedred.heandgrabbedhisarandsaidierebaba,iere,youllbeallright,iighthere.asifiuldsoothethenvulsionsoutofhitalkthentoleavingbabaalone.ifeltayknees.sahere.yourshthere.

    thedo.“isuponavieugshotsofthekillertothevictifaly.babasbrainonthosepictureslookedlikecrosssesofabig,riddledhtennisballshapedgraythings.

    “asyouendpalliativeradiation.doyouknoeans”

    isaididid.idbeenversantincertalk.

    “allright,then,”hesaid.heepagedifyouhaveaions.”

    “thankyou.”

    ispentthenightsittingonachaiexttobabasbed.

    theing,thedodneasrevery.babahen,groggyandtired,butawake.

    ding,geaheriandhise.sorayafolloeti.“hoyfriend”geaherisaid,takingbabashand.

    babatioheivhangingfroisarsledthinly.thegeneralsledback.

    “youshouldnthaveburdenedyourselves.allofyou,”babacroaked.

    “itsnoburden,”khanuaherisaid.

    “noburdenatall.reiortantly,doyouneedanything”geaherisaid.“anythingatallasklikeyoudaskabrother.”

    ireeredsothingbabahadsaidaboutpashtunsonce.aybehardheadedandiktheresnooneyoudratherhaveatyoursidethanapashtun.

    babashookhisheadonthepilloingherehasbrightenedeyes.”thegeneralsledandsqueezedbabashand.“hoirjandoyouneedanything”

    thee,thekindnessinhiseyes...“naythankyou,generalsahib.i..“alushotupinthroataearedover.iboltedoutoftheroo

    iinthehallheviehenightbefore,idseenthekillersface.

    babasdooropenedandsoraya.shestoodnear.shefortinherar.

    “iosorry,ar,”shesaid.“hinghis.”

    iblottedeyesysleeve.“hedidntanyooknow.”

    “doyouneedanything”

    “no.”itriedtosle.sheputherhandonne.ourfirsttouyfae.”

    shesledandnodded.“ishould.”shetuedtogo.“soraya”

    “yes”

    “iappyyouca,itans...thee.”

    theydiseintotalkinghintoit.butidseenthelookonbabasfas,andtookbabahoinfordtorino.

    thatnight,baba.ibroughthiotteaandroastedalnds.yararoundhisbadpulledhipchtooeasily.hisshoulderbladefeltlikeabirdsyfingers.ipulledtheblabackuptohischestretchedhisthin,sallowskin.

    “idoanythingelseforyou,baba”

    “nay,bachethankyou.”

    isatbesidehi“thehingfor.ifyourenottooexhausted.”

    “”

    “iyoutogokhastegari.iyoutoaskgeaheriforhisdaughtershand.”

    babasdrylipsstretile.aspotofgreenonaedleaf.“areyousure”

    “resurethaniveeverbeenaboutanything.”

    “youvethoughtitover”

    “balay,baba.”

    “thehephone.andlittlenotebook.”

    iblinked.“now”

    “thenwhen”

    isled.“okay.”igavehihephohe

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twlittleblaotebookbers.

    helookedupthetaheris.dialed.broughtthereyheartychest.

    “jalajansalaalayku”hesaid.heintroduberthat,thankyou.isgeneralsahibho”pause.“thankyou.”

    hiseyesfli.ibroughttheballofhandtouthandbitonit.babalaughedsoftlythroughhisnose.

    “generalsahib,salaalayku..yes,aypayyouandkhanuaheriavisittorrooing.itsanhonorabletter...yes...elevenoclockisjustfiilthen.khodahfez.”

    hehungup.eachother.iburstintogiggles.babajoinedin.

    bababeditbayselfthinkofsothingelse.heygraduation,hungoverhiooeltedaore.ihadtorollupthesleeves.istoopedandtiedhisshoela.

    thetaherislivedinaflat,ooryhouseiheresidentialareasiknoberofafghans.ithadbays.thegeneralsgrayvanhedriveway.

    ihelpedbabaoutofthefordandslippedbackbehindthee,illcallyouinanhour.”

    “okay,baba,”isaid.“goodluck.”

    hesled.

    idroveairror,babahetaherisdrivefatherlyduty.

    ipaofourapartnteikeptgoingtothekit,chegtheovenclock.

    thephjustbeforenoon.itwasbaba.

    “well”

    “thegeneralaccepted.”

    iletoutaburstofair.satdoyhandswereshaking.“hedid”

    “yes,butsorayajanisupstairsinherrooshestotalktoyoufirst.”

    “okay.”

    babasaidsothingtosooherelickashehungup.

    “ar”sorayasvoice.“salaa”

    “fathersaidyes.”

    “iknoiling.“iohappyidontknotosay.”

    “iappytoo,ar.i...tbelievethisishappening.”

    ilaughed.“iknow.”

    “listen,”shesaid,“iething.sothingyouhavetoknowbefore...”

    “idontcareitis.”

    “youokno.”

    “ifitakeyoufeelbetter,tell.butitgeanything.”

    therean.ie...rebellious...stupid,and...heostanth.alltheafghansinvirginiaalkingaboutit.

    “padareventuallyfoundus.heshoadeeho.iing.sayingihatedhi..

    “anyehoand”shee.”iheardherputthephonedoebae,isaytherhadhadastroke,therightsideofherfacesoguilty.shedidntdeservethat.

    “padarvedustocalifoiashortlyafter.”asilencefollowed.

    “hoheow”isaid.

    “eforthatday.ireallybelievehesaved.”shepaused.“so,doesitoldyoubotheryou”

    “alittle,”isaid.ioypride,iftikhar,an,adidbotherabit,butihadpohisquitealotintheebacktoeoheirpast

    “doesitbotheryouenoughtoind”

    “no,soraya.notevenclose,”isaid.“nothingyousaidgesanything.iarry.”

    shebrokeintofreshtears.

    ienviedher.herseosttoldherhoout,aroyedafortyyearrelationshipbetanye.urage.

    thirteen

    onyof“givingdefrohastegari.icheckedtieintherearvieirror.

    “youlookkhoshteep,”babasaid.handso.

    “thankyou,baba.areyouallrightdoyoufeeluptothis”

    “uptothisitsthehappiestdayoflife,ar,”hesaid,slingtiredly.

    iuldhearusieouedoffthesic.

    khanuaheriopehedoor.“salaalayku”shesaid,beang.shedperdherhair,isaoistened.“yourebarelyinthehouseanditodothenightbefore.

    sheledusthroughabrightlylithall.ontheeneily:ayoungbouffanthairedkhanuaheriandthegeneralniagarafallsiaheriinaseaessdress,thegeneralinanarroiling,thesunglintingoffthesilverilitaryoutfit,shakinghandshkinghusseinofjordan.aportraitofzahirshah.

    thelivingrooabouttsseatedonchairsplacedalongthewal

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twls.,shakinghandsaingtheguests.thegeneralstillinhisgraysuitandbabaerasinrespectfulhushedtones.

    thegeneralheldatarlengthandsledkhecheek.

    thegeneralandhishinghadgred,a

    elookingathindrainedgrin.illright,”heuthed.

    inkeepinghtradition,sorayapresent.

    afeontsofslltalkandidleequietandeveryonelookeddotheirhandsinrespect.thegeneralowardbaba.

    babailajan...itsilitythatsonandi...haveetoyourhotoday.youare...honorablepeople...froistinguishedaablefaliesand...proudlineage.ieostihtira..andthehighestregardsforyou,yourfalynas,andthery...ofyouranyonlye.ihopeheproves...irjanand...andaily.”

    thegeneralnoddedpolitely.

    “ansuily,”hesaid.“yourreputationpreirerinkabulandreinsotoday.ilyandourswillbejoined.

    “arjan,asforyou,ieyoutohoasason,asthehusbandofdaughteryeye.yourpaioseeyourkhalajalaandasaseofparents,andiprayforyourandourlovelysorayajanshappiness.youbothhaveourblessings.”

    everyoneapplauded,andontidedfor.

    sorayaappearedattheend.dressedinastunningngs.babashandtookightened.khanuaheriburstintofreshtears.sloalerelatives.

    shekissedfathershands.satbesideatlast,hereyesdo.

    theapplauseswelled.

    ailyentpartytheshirinikhorior“eatingofthesony.thenaneperiodonths.thenthehwouldbepaidforbybaba.

    hatsorayaandionthstolive.

    sorayaandineverarriedyet,hadntevenhadashirinikhori,itproper.soihadtokedosorayaatthediable.igi

    ychest,sllherhair.kissher.kelovetoher.

    babaspent35,000,nearlythebalanontthenfroabulandgavehisubstantialdisunt.babapaidfortheatytuxedo,andtraditionalgreensuitforthenikathesony.forallthefrenziedpreparationsthatostofit,blessedly,bykhanuaheriandherfriendsireeronlyahandfulofntsfrot.

    ireerouika.e,andseveralofsorayasuntaherisbrother,stoodupahehadlivedintheu.s.forrethanteriallndedicatedtosoraya,jotteddoedwhenhefinished.

    ireerytuxedo,sorayaaveiledpahegeneralandhisadeoureras.oneofsorayasusins,sharifjansson,heldakoranoverourheadsasthespeakers,thesasongtherussiansoldieratthehiparcheckpointhadsungthenightbabaakabul:

    keingintoakeyandthrointothewell,

    gosloylovelyon,goslooingsunfettorisei,gosloylovelyon,goslowly.

    ireersittingonthesofa,setoagelikeathrone,sorayashandihreehundredorsofaontaryprivaedonhercheeks.

    ipieersendanberkhanhere.

    andireerarried.andifso,irroruheveiledhandshadheheld

    around2a.,thepartyvedfrohebaha

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twlltobabasapartnt.teaflooreandsirisingandtheguestsfinallygone,sorayaandilaytogetherforthefirstti.alllife,idbeenaroundn.thatnight,idisveredthetendeessofaan.

    itwassorayaoveine.

    “ithoughtyoughtustohaveouroe,”isaid.

    “ethatarriage.ikissedher.“thankyou.”

    sorayadediyfather.shedehistoastaheing,andhelpedhinandoutofbed.shegavehiispainpills,theiionalseonhissideeveryhoursohegetabedsore.

    oneday,ithepharpseofsorayaquicklyslidingsothingunderbabasbla.“hey,isahatwodoing”isaid.

    “nothing,”sorayasaid,sling.

    “liar.”iliftedbabasbla.“eeredthefirekhanhadgivenitto,thenightofthirteenthbirthday,flaressizzlingandexplodingintobouquetsreen,andyellow.

    “itbelieveyouelikethis,”sorayasaid.

    babadraggedhisheadoffthepilloind.”

    igavethenotebookba.babahateditried.

    anthaftertheentfordinner.sorayadesabziile,asheskiesofkabulonnightshepoplarsshiveredandthesoundofcricketsshegardens.

    justbeforednight,babaaskedustohelphintobed.sorayaandiplap.heaskedustoleanin,gaveuseachakiss.

    “illebackorphineandaglassofer,kakajan,”sorayasaid.

    “nottonight,”hesaid.“thereisnopaintonight.”

    “okay,”shesaid.shepulleduphisbla.hedoor.babaneverwokeup.

    theyfilledtheparkingspotsatthesqueinhayakeshiftroosquetofindaspot.

    thensseosque,veredattressespla,leavingtheirshoesattheentranattresses.allahiarypositionforthefalyofthedeceased.geaherie.

    throughtheopendoor,iuldseelinesofcarspullingin,sunlightendressedindarksuits,encladinblackdresses,theirheadsveredhtraditionalehijabs.

    asthekoranreverberatedthroughtherooithoughtoftheoldstoryofbabaself.leavinghisbelovedholand,hisethatheuld.buteventhen,hehadlostonhisos.

    aftereaouerslinedupaedontheiribarelykneiledpolitely,thaheortheireoevertheyhadtosayaboutbaba.

    helpedbuildthehouseintaini...“blesshi..

    noootutoa...”

    “...foundajob...barelyknee...”

    “...likeabrotherto...”

    listeningtotheirealizedhouyetheore;idhavetofinditonown.

    thethoughtofitterrified.

    earlier,atthegravesiteinthesllslieetery,ihadlouliahandanotintunththavetueduglyhadgeaherinotintervehellahaple.

    noouershadpaidtheirrespeullahunpluggingtheokingineinunionextovingonalready,leavingbababehind.

    “ho”geaherisaid.

    igrittedteeth.bitbackthetearsthathadthreatenedallday.“ioingtofindsoraya,”isaid.

    “okay.”

    ienssideofthesque.sorayaotherandaupleofladiesiregnizedvaguelyfroheotioosoraya.shesaidsothingtohertherandcato.

    “wewalk”isaid.

    “sure.”shetookhand.

    heheadstone.“soraya”

    “yes”

    “ioingtosshi”

    sheputherhandonlap.babasouersdrivingaeever,babawouldbeallalone.

    sorayapulledtoheraearsfinallyca.

    beentperiod,chof

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twileaedaboutthetaherisileaedafterirriedintotheirfaly.forexale,ileaedthat,onblindinggraihatlastedalsta,undressed,tuedoffthelight,loore,sllingofsleepandbedsheets,hiseyespuffyandbloodshot.ileaedfroorayathatheandkhanuaherihadsleptinseparaterooforaslongassheuldreer.ileaedthatheuldbepetty,suethingelse,”khanuaheriadesorayaangryaherehetookantidepressants.ileaedthathehadkepthisfalyoissuedchecksthandegradinghielfanofhisstaturehesaarketonlyasahobby,aonarchyrestored,andhisservices,ded.

    ileaedthatkhanuaheriiain.butasethathertherhadatterilaplayedthelottoonceas,potatovines,andorchids.

    arriedsoraya,thefloilaslife.uhegeneralsguardedanddiplotie.forohing,ilisteoheriressivelistofladies,sothingthegeneralhadlongtuedadeafearto.sorayatoldthat,eversihefirsttikhalajalantionedaluinheeorroiledandsaid,“thenyoughtas.yourkhalasdies.”

    butitonologuesofillness.ifirybelievedthatifihadpiurderingraage,ialady.ihadrelievedherofthegreatestfearofeveryafghahatnohonorablekhastegaranneededahusband.evenifhedidsilehesonginher.

    and,frooraya,ileaedthedetailsofhadhappenedinvirginia.

    neehallonthsprior,sorayaandihadhadourathegroofaly,iddleagedentalking,theirbackstous.

    “said,“justlookather.soghbool,liketheon.”

    “yes,”theothersaid.“andpuretoo.virtuous.noboyfriends.”

    “iknoarryhisusin.”

    sorayabrokedoe.ipulledthefordofftotheontboulevard.

    “itsallright,”isaid,pushingbackherhair.“ares”

    “itsso**ingunfair,”shebarked.

    “justfetit.”

    “theirsonsgoouttonighteataheirgirlfriendspregnant,theyhavekidsoutofnthing.oh,theyrejustnhavingfunikeoakeandsuddenlyeveryoalkingnangandnaos,andihavetohavefaylife.”

    iherjaark,ythu.

    “ididnttellyou,”sorayasaid,dabbingathereyes,“butfathersho...thathehadtber,oneforhindoneforhielfifididnteho.iing,es,sayingheuldntkeeplockedupforever,thati,thatiwishedheweredead.

    “eho,therthresaroundahertookuptobedroondsatinfrontofthedresserrror.hehandedapairofslytoldtoyhair.heched.

    “ididofthehousefiheveryilesastillhearingthe”

    “**e”isaid.

    shedeasoundthatind.”

    “noceofthat,soraya.”

    shesledandtookhand.“iolueveryafghanguyivet.”

    “letsalkaboutthisagain,okay”

    “okay.”

    ikissedherestreatedtheybeitaverickwhohaddisregardedor

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.twerasashehadseenfit.

    butithinkabigpartofthereasonididntcareaboutsorayaspastyret.

    shortlyafterbabasdeath,sorayaaoaonebedroopartnti,justafethegeneralandkhalajalashouse.sorayasparentsboughtusabroikasadishesas

    houseis.thegeneralgaveanadditionalpresent,abrandypeer.inthebox,hehadslippedaeninfarsi:

    arjan,

    ihopeyoudisvernytalesonthesekeys.

    generaliqbaltaheri

    isoldbabasvarket.ietis,idfindafreshbouquetoffreesiasbytheheadstoneandkoo.

    sorayaaledintotheroutinesandnorarriedlife.oingpaper.shesleptontherightsideofthebed,ipreferredtheleft.shelikedfluffypilloilk.

    igotaranddeclaredanenglishjor.itookonasecurityjob,sybooksandstudied.ityfirstnovel.

    sorayajoisaethefollooherfatherschagrin,ieagtrack.

    “idontknoirjan,thatsheeaednothingbutasinhighsinistryposition,givenyourfalyna.”

    iuldseesorayaholdingbaarriedan.besides,theydeacherstoo.”

    “aeach.”

    “isthereanyrerice,dar”sorayasaid.

    afterthegeneralexefriendsinhayilatriedtonsolesoraya.“heanssyoutobesuccessful.”

    “soheedalfeneral,”sorayasaid.

    “susenseyouspeak”

    “sunotlikehisittingaroundoveinaposition.teauch,butitsitodoitsilove,anditsabetterthaingheway.”

    khalajalabithertongue.“ifheeverhearsyousayingthat,heoyouagain.”

    “dontossingheapkinoe.“ibruisehispreciousego.”

    inthesuerof1988,aboutsixnthsbeforethesovietsafghanistan,ifinishedfirstnovel,afathersonstorysetinkabul,ostlye.isentqueryletterstoadozenageednusilainsistedethatshee,avoeatgiventothepoorifbooked.

    “please,nonazn,khalajan,”isaid,kissingherfaoosooneinneed,okaynosheepkilling.”

    sixannadrtingreennee.ionlytoldsorayaaboutit.“butjustbeeanillgetpublished.ifrtihehene.”

    anthlater,rtinedied.

    adekoftaatballsandoistureinhiseyes,saidthathee.aftergeaheriandhisethegeneraldidnotapproveofendrinkingalhol,andsorayadidntdrinkinhispresence.

    “iaoproudofyou,”shesaid,raisingherglasstone.“kakaoo.”

    “iknoe.

    laterthatnight,aftersorayafellasleepadehersleepyistoodonthebalnyahedintheolsuerair.ithoughtofrahihanalenoteofsupporthehadeafterhedreadfirststory.andithoughtofhassan.soday,inshallah,youuylife.sochhappiness.iherideservedanyofit.

    thenovelrofthatfolloeonafiveeanorcelebrityintheafghannity.thatpletedtheirhdrawal

    frofghanistan.itshouldhavebeenatiofgloryfhans.iheebetentofnajibullah,andafghanrefugeeskeptfloidstofitall,afghanistanten.andgeaheri,irredaerthesovietspulledout,backtoch.

    thatheyearthatsorayaaryingtohaveachild.

    theideaoffatherhoodunleashedasotionsin.ifounditfrightening,invigorating,daunting,andexhilaratingallatthesati.sortoffatherake,i.

    butayearpassedandnothinghappened.oreiatient,reirritable.bythen,khalajalasinitiallysubtlehintshadbeeovert,asin“khodega”so“igoingtosingalahooforlittlenaadeanyqueriesdoingsoantalludingto

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twasexualaarriedtoherforoverfouryears.buthiseyesperkedupilateasedusaboutababy.

    “sotis,ittakesaoldsorayaonenight.

    “ayearisntair”shesaid,inatersevoiethings.”

    “thesseeadoctor.”

    dr.rosen,aroundbelliednpfaotelyslavic.hehadapassionfortrainshisofficeodellootives,paintingsoftrainstrundlingontracksthroughgreenhillsandoverbridges.asignabovehisdeskread,lifeisatraionboard.

    helaidouttheplanforus.idgetahoganydesk.“anspluingislikehisnd:sile,veryfeakingyou.”ibingtoallofhisuples.

    “luckyus,”sorayasaid.

    dr.rosenlaughed.itfellafeealabslipandaplastieroutinebloodtests.eaboard,”hesaid,ashesho.

    ipassedhflyinglors.

    thefeonthsperatures,bloodtestsforeverynone,uriests,sothingorebloodtests,andreuriests.sorayaunderaprocedurecalledahysterospydr.roseeda

    telespeintosorayasuterusandtookalookaround.hefoundnothing.“thepluingsclear,”heannounced,snappingoffhislatexgloves.is.hetestshatheuldntexplainhavekids.and,apparently,thatsounusual.itility.”

    theofluck,regrettingtheyuldhest.

    yopayforit.ivfprovedlengthy,tiatelyunsuagazineslikegoodhousekeepingandreadersdigest,afterendlesspapergoroolitbyfluorestlights,therepeatedhuliationofdiscussingeverydetailofoursexlifeeions,backtodr.rosenandhistrains.

    hesataus,tappedhisdeske.sorayacriedallthee.

    sorayabroketheneilahadixedellofokingfish.t.ybeiteanttobe.”

    sorayakeptlookingdourred.

    geaherisheadsnappedupatthis.heclosedthebarbecuelid.“hedid”

    “hesaidition,”sorayasaid.

    eaboutadoption.sorayabivalentatbest.“iknoaybevain,”shesaidtoohatidholditinarandknoybloodhadfeditfoihs,thatidlookinitseyesonedayaartledtoseeyouor,thatthebabyileorne.houtthat...isthatwrong”

    “no,”ihadsaid.

    “abeingselfish”

    “no,soraya.”

    “becauseifyoureallytodoit...”

    “no,”isaid.“ifent.itbefairtothebabyotherwise.”

    sherestedherheadonthehiherestoftheway.

    no,thisadoption...thing,iotsosureitsforusafghans.”sorayalookedattiredlyandsighed.

    “forohing,theygroethesotis,theyleavethehoinsotheyfindthepeoplelife.bloodisapo,neverfetthat.”

    “idontore,”sorayasaid.

    “illsayohing,”hesaid.iuldtellheirjan,here.ekhastegari,ididate.andbelieve,hisfather,and,youdontknooyourhouse.

    “noeriarryforlove,falynaandarynevereveotheequation.theyadoptthat.”

    “isthefishalstready”sorayasaid.geaheriseyeslingeredonher.hepattedherknee.“justbehappyyouhaveyourhealthandagoodhusband.”

    “irjan”khalajalasaid.

    iputglassontheledge,ser.“ithinkiagreehgeneralsahib.”

    reassured,thegeneralnoddedandbacktothegrill.

    ething,soone,soefatherhoodforthethingsihaddone.ybethisypunishnt,andperhapsjustlyso.iteanttobe,khalajalahadsaid.or,ybe,iteantnottobe.

    afeoanedusvingalstanhouraial

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.twlysihoughtsorayaneededalltheloveandsupportsheuldgetoblivioustothefactthatherpathyove.

    sotis,sorayasleepio,ilayinbedandlistehesptinessinsorayasb,likeitarriage,thatetiness,inths,andourloveking.andlateatnight,inthedarknessofourroo

    idfeelitrisingfroorayaalihild.

    fourteen

    june2001

    iloe.itee.sorayahadtedthetelevision.

    “youlookpale,ar,”shesaidfroheuent.shedbeentyingonithersuersesyblackeyes,youdshinkinghoughts.

    theree,aoheralblackhairafeaarabigs.

    “youtookpale,”sorayarepeated,plagthestackofpapersoable.

    “ihavetogotopakistan.”

    shestoodupnoan”

    “rahihanisverysick.”afistchedihosewords.

    “kakasoldbusinesspartner”shedrahihan,butihadtoldherabouthiinodded.

    “oh,”shesaid.“iosorry,ar.”

    “okihethegardenandbendinsofske.

    “ireeryoutellingthat,”sorayasaid.shepaused.“howlongwillyoubegone”

    “idontknoe.”

    “isit...”

    “yes,itssafe.illbeallright,soraya.”itarriagehadtuedusintondreaders.“ioingtogoforawalk.”

    “shouldigohyou”

    “nay,idratherbealone.”

    idrovetogoldengateparkandiniatureboatssailed,propelledbyatonotsidearheball,tothroills.

    ithoughtaboutantrahihanhaddejustbeforeostasahought.iyeyesandsaattheotherendoftheslessblackeyeshianunspokebetohechhthelightningbolthands.hehadalwaysknown.

    e.thereisakhanhadsaidonthephobeforehangingup.saiditinpassing,alstasahought.

    aobegoodagain.

    eho,sorayaother.“adarjan.aaybete.”

    tigrainesagain,andergingfroisrooblearyeyedanddazed,hehadtrippedonalooseilarunningfrohekitstionia,bloodpoisoning,theprotrailaslongrunningsoliloquiesaboutherohiskidaboutthegeneralshospitalstayishoila,songsireeredfroabul,playingonbabasscratchyoldtransistorradio.

    thegeneralsfrailtyandtihadsoftehiandsorayatoo.theytooketis,thegeneralsatinonsoofher,dressedinhisshinyoldgraysuit,iling.sotisheeventooknotes.

    thatnight,sorayaandilayinbed,herbayfaceburiedinherhair.ireerediles,firstetis,buttheynewbook,agiggle

    oversoonesridiakiterthangood,butsonightsallidfeeletissorayafeltittoo.onthosenights,ine,asalways,wasabook.

    ilayinthedarkthenightrahihanoonlightpthroughtheblinds.atsopoint,ybejustbeforedaedofhassanrunninginthesnoofhisgreenchapandraggingbehindhisnoesover

    aonaaboard

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twapakistaniiionalairlinesflight,edairliheinaland,soon,yheadagainsttheed,invain,forsleep.

    fifteen

    threehoursafterflightlandedinpeshaokefilledtaxi,drovenins,alluouth:

    terribleshavetohelpsliso...”

    itunedhiut,sode.ireeredpeshathefeonthsbabaandihadspenttherein1981.entanditslavish,highes.thebustleoftheorepshades,dstalls.theuchblehestencharbage,andfeces.

    alittlepasttheredbriareverypoor.”hetskedhistongueandsighed.“anytingclosenow.”

    ithoughtaboutthelasttiihadseenrahihan,in1981.hehadetosaygoodbyethenightbabaandihadfledkabul.ireerbabaandhiraetis,babaetherekhanhadbeenshortlyafterbabasdeath.theesandlosttheion.

    thedriverpulleduptoanarroylo,laundryhallypalknocked.

    then,athingdeofskinandbonespretendingtoberahihahedoor.

    a”saying.nothinguldrerreyreunionkhan.

    ovarsatintheoppositeer.ipouredusteafrot.

    “hoe”iasked.

    “itsnotdiffieriapoftheu.s.,andationforcitiesinnorthecalifoia,”hesaid.“itsan.”

    isledanddroppedthreesugararriedfifteenyearsago.”thetruthadehietful,negligent.

    “youarerriedto”

    “heaissorayataheri.”ithoughtofherbackho,e.ialone.

    “taheri...erisshe”

    itoldhihiseyesbrightened.“oh,yes,ireeoarriedtosharifjanssistere...”

    “jalajan.”

    “balay”hesaid,sling.“ikneeago,beforehevedtoarica.”

    “hesbeenheinsforyears,handlesalotofafghancases.”

    “haiiii,”hesighed.“doyouandsorayajanhavechildren”

    “nay.”

    “oh.”heslurpedhisteaanddidntaskre;rahihanhadalostinsti.

    itoldhilotaboutbaba,hisjob,theflearket,andhoaboutsybooksfourpublishedoihade,buthedidhenotebook.

    theioablytuedtothetaliban.

    “isitasbadasihear”isaid.

    “nay,itsan.”hepoioasin1998.kabulagainstzarisharif,ithink,andbytheao,heeandstrutheforeheadkhanrubbedthescaryface,apologizingtothatsonofadog.”

    ipouredhioretea.rahihantalkedsore.chofitiknewalready,

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.twsonot.hetoldthat,asarra,hehadlivedinbabashousesince1981thisiknekhanshortlybeforeheandifledkabul.theporaryinterruptionofourankhantokeepchoveruntilthatday.

    rahihantoldhoeddifferentpartsofkabul.“ifyouthesharenauseehoessotheyuldbypassthedangerousstreetsandovedoholetohole.inotherparts,peoplevedaboutinundergroundtunnels.

    “youleave”isaid.

    “kabulyho.itstillis.”hesniilitarybarraexttoistiqialschool”

    “yes.”iteeredthedayhassanandiother.hassanhad.

    “khansaid.“and,believe,ian,atdehzang,greetialibanireets,etokabulthantheshoraroyedyourfathersorphanage,didyouknohat”

    “beredsittingbehindbabathedaytheyopeheorphaheoneybabahadspent,allthosenightshedsakesureeverybrick,everybeaandeveryblht...

    “llateraldage,”rahihansaid.“youdontirjan,itingthroughtherubbleofthatorphaheresofchildren...”

    “soe...”

    “theykhansaid.“peaceatlast.”

    “yes,hopeisastrahing.peaediatelystaihoughtthateasanytoaddresstheelephants.

    “hoeanreally,howareyou”

    “dying,aorebloodonthehandkerchief.heouth,blottedhissoheothereaquickglance.long,”hebreathed.

    “howlong”

    heshrugged.ughedagain.“idontthinkillseetheendofthissuer,”hesaid.

    “lettakeyouhoe.ie.therearealtreatnts,blingandikitterthang,odoanyway.

    heletoutaissingloosttiredlaughterideverheard.“iseearithathasdehersogreat.thatsverygood.elankhoriandselfpity.oloss,tosuffering,acceptitasafactoflife,eveas

    nebeingpragtieansandbelievethethereissuchathingasgodswill.”

    “thereisonlyyoudoandyoudontdo,”isaid.

    rahihanlaughed.“yousoundedlikeyourfatherjustnoisshioch.butitisgodsirjan.itreallyis.”hepaused.“besides,theresanotherreasoniaskedyoutoehere.iethioo.”

    “anything.”

    “youknohoseyearsilivedinyourfathershouseafteryouleft”

    “yes.”

    “i.hassaheree.”

    “hassan,”isaid.ethosethoyoldbarbsofguiltboreintoonehadbrokenaspell,setthereetotorntanekhanslittleflatellofthestreet.

    “ithoughtaboutingyouandtellingyoubefore,butisureyouedt”

    thetruthethingiknow.”

    heughedagoingtoaskyoutodosothingfor.butbeforeido,itotellyouabouthassan.doyouuand”

    “yes,”irred.

    “i.itotellyoueverything.youen”

    inodded.

    thenrahihansippedsoretea.restedhisheadagainsttheoke.

    sixteen

    theree,ostoffriendsaiveshadeitherbeenkilledorhadeseerthatspotandiydaysinyourfathershouse,upiudy,readingyour

    thersoldbooks,listeningtothepropagandaontele

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twvisiohi,readsore,prayagain,andgotobed.ioing,pray,doitallain.

    andyarthritis,itetointainthehouse.kneesandbajoints,espeesinthathouse,sonyries,arjan.itself;ithadantso,andbesides,ihadprosedhieandthehouseand...ididbest.itriedtoananyre.

    butevenso,ighthavebeeoleastforae...forthefirstti,ifeltaterriblelonelinessinthathouse.anunbearableetiness.

    sooneday,ifueledupthebuieeredthat,afteralidisssedhielffrohehouse,yourfathertoldheandhassanhadvedtoasllvillagejustoutsidebayan.alihadausinthereasireen.idonthavetotellyouthat.

    but,there.ittookverylittlesearetohisvillage.idonoteverdayandiiddleofthatbarrenland,isaudhouses,beyohingbutbroadskyanduntainslikejaggedteeth.

    thepeopleinbayanhadtoldieasilyhelivedintheonlyhouseinthevillagethathadauduakehitopkissinghands.

    “letlookatyou,”isaid.hesteppedaytoesandstilljustiyansunhadtoughenedhisskin,aseveralshadesdarkerthanireered,andhehadlostafeenarrohatshisupperlip,thatround

    fairjan.iaureofit.

    eisfarzanajan.”shean,sourteousshespokeinavoicebarelyhigherthagaze.buttheightastingohrohearg.

    “ing”isaidafter.there,justafrayedrug,afeattresses,andalante.

    “inshallah,thisprayingforaboytoyfathersna.”

    “speakingofali,whereishe”

    hassandroppedhisgaze.hetoldthataliandhisusiniiyan.alahereareafghanirjanandforsoeabsolutelyine.iaslongasiuldreer.ireerostdied.yourfatherhehousealldayg.

    farzanadeusshorthetandoorintotheshorealihadhadinnths.itovetokabule.itoldhiboutthehouse,hoyselfaoldhifortable.theylookedtoeaselvesthere.

    “andbayanissoclose.khan.iprayyouuand.”

    “ofurse,”isaid.“youhavenothingtoapologizefor.iuand.”

    itidyoueriore.hassanhadsoionsaboutyou.hadyourrieddidyouhaveeaboutyourfather.,hassanburiedhisfahishandsandbrokeintotears.helikeachildfortherestofthatnight.

    theyinsistedthatispendthenightthere.farzanafixedatforaaglassofsobbing.

    intheing,hassantoldheandfarzanahaddecidedtovet

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twokabule.

    “ishouldnothaveehere,”isaid.“youptuousoftojustshoeobefiven.”

    “ukhan,”hassansaid.hiseyesillredandpuffy.“akecareofthehouse.”

    “areyouabsolutelysure”

    henoddedanddroppedhishead.“aghasahibysendfather...godgivehieace.”

    theypiledtheirthingsintheberasie.

    sareety,hassanjan.nooneisgoingtoliveinthe”isaid.

    butheatterofihtiraatterofrespeoveintooheguestbedrooupstairs,buthassaniraghathink”hesaidto.“ouingforyourfather,hassafortydays.

    ididnotto,butthetdidalltheoking,allthesnoonehadbathedin.likeheeou.doyoureertheirjandidyouandhassancallit,“thedestroyedaiddleofthenightearlythatfall.hassanrebuilttheoundthepoplartrees.isaidaprayerforher.farzanastayedialldayandirjaher.ipraytoallahyouneverhearit.

    outsidetheadeouroit.visionstartedgoingbythelate1980s,soihadhassanreadyourthersbooks.sna,asfarzahekit.andeverying,hassanplacedaflooundbythesbrierbushes.

    inearly1990,farzahataanveredinaskyblueburqaknooies,she,likesheoooevenstand.iaskedhersheed,butsheanswer.

    “.irjan,theslashescutthischeekboohairlineandithadnotsparedherlefteyeontheesque.ipattedherbrohaclothandsheopenedhereyes.“whereishassan”shewhispered.

    “iighthere,”hassansaid.hetookherhandandsqueezedit.

    hergoodeyerolledtohi“ihaveydrea.andyouare.evenre.”shepulledhishandtoherse.please.”

    hassandidandtheoldaniledingoutof,didanyoellyouandie,ievenholdyou.”

    noneofushadseensanaubarsinileandaencrazy.nooneanoraan,uldlookatheronlyondnow...

    hassandroppedherhandandboltedoutofthehouse.i,butherunningupthehillesofdust.ilethio.isatbrightbluetopurple.hassanstillhadnotebaistake,ybeevenaadeherstay.hassanu,iknew.

    hecabacktheing,lookingtiredandenoeily.hetouchedthescarsonherfadranhishandthroughherhair.

    hassanandfarzananursedherbaetis,iotherkneelingtogether,pingarosebush,talking.theyestoriesdoelling.

    iteersanaubar.shestood

    beangunderadullgrayskytearsstreangdoslikeshenevere.shehandedhiohassanandhehandedhioandisangtheprayerofayatulkursiinthatlittleboysear.

    theynadhiohrab,afterhassansfavoriteherofroheshahnah,asyouknoirjaeerant

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twashisfather.youshouldhaveseensanaubarirjaoysfroesohrabwereinseparable.

    shelivedtoseehiufour,andthen,oneing,shejustdidnot,atpeainddyieryonthehill,theohepograree,andisaidaprayerforhertoo.thelossoretohaveandlosethantonothaveinthefirstplace.butittlesohrab.hekepthehouse,lookingforsasa,butyouknoheyfetsoquickly.

    bythenthateailiarendiggingbodiesoutofpilesofrubble.kabulinthosedays,arjan,uch,soeoftheotheeighborhoods.

    onthosedaysa.hassantaughthioeheedeadlytoreadandtakehisfirststep,heardhitterhisfirstthebookstorebytohiherendedofyou,hoirjan.sotis,ireadtohitnight,playedriddles,taughthiardtricks.isshierribly.

    inthee,hassantookhissonkiterunning.thereanykitetouantsasintheolddayssafeoutsidefortoolongbutthereents.hassanbingtreeseer,arjan,ainhalluplikepaintings.

    itoldyouhhothatnightandfindinghassani,listeningtotheradio.hehadasoberlookinhiseyes.iasked

    hihansahib,”hesaid.

    “the.noreroorefunerals”buthejusttuedofftheradioandaskedifheuldgetanythingbeforehetobed.

    afeassacredthehazarasinzarisharif.

    seventeen

    rahihansloariggersspikesofpain.outside,adonkeyeohinginurdu.thesunshacklebuildings.

    ithitagain,theenortyofr.thenasranginhead:hassan,sohrab,ali,farzana,andsanaubar.hearingrahihanspeakalisnausielodybegantoplayiediately:eesitstealsallthedetailsforitself.

    “ishassanstillinthathousenow”iasked.

    rahihanraisedtheteathebreastpoe.“foryou.”

    itorethesealedenvelope.inside,ifoundapolaroidphotographandafoldedletter.istaredatthephotographforafullnute.

    atallndressedi,anihavenoreet.thelittleboystoodbarefoot,onearnsthigh,hisshavedheadrestingagainsthisfathership.hetooing.

    iunfoldedtheletter.ititted,nocrossesfotten,noostchildlikeinitsness.ibegantoread:

    inthenaofallahthestbenefierciful,aragha,ydeepestrespects,

    farzanajan,sohrab,andipraythatthislatestletterfindsyouingoodhealthandinthelightofallahsgoodgrayestthankstorahibr >

    khansahibforhopefulthatonedayiyhandsandreadofyourlifeinariischiefyouandiusedtocause

    aragha,

    alastheafghanistanofouryouthislongdead.kindnessisgonefrohelandandyouotescapethekillings.alhekillings.inkabul,feariseveryhestreets,inthe

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twstadiuis,itisapartofourliveshere,aragha.thesavagesaatoesandnaan.sheaskedthevendorhouinistryofvialive,notbecauseifeardeath,butbecauseysonisnotanorphan.

    ikhansahibandihavetaughthioreadaisandbuyhininsharenauandif,ipayhiokehisnkeydaneerhoegrareethereandreadfroheshahnahthedroughtshavedriedthehillareehasntboefruitinyears,butsohrabandistillsitusshadeaohiroheshahnah.itisnotneandsohrab.soohebookhielf.iaveryproudandveryluckyfather.

    aragha,

    rahihansahibisquiteill.heughsalldayandiseebloodonhissleeveouth.hehaslosteveryday.heisleavingforpakistaninafeedo.farzanajanandihavetoldlittlesohrabthatrahihansahibisgoingtobekhansahib.theyhavegrokhansahibusedtotakehiothebazaarforballoonsandbiscuitsbutheistoohatnow.

    ihavebeendreangalotlately,aragha.sooftherenightres,likehangedrpsesrottinginsothatrahihansahibthat

    sonportantperson.idreahatlaireetsofkabulagainandrubabsivarhousesandkitesthatsodayyouutokabultorevisitthelandofourchildhood.ifyoudo,youhfulfriendingforyou.

    yallahbehyoualways.

    hassan

    ireadthelettertinute.ipocketedboth.“howishe”iasked.

    “thatletteronthsago,afekhansaid.“itookthepolaroidthedaybeforeileft.anthafteriarrivedinpeshaoneofneighborsinkabul.hetoldthisstory:sooookleave,arurspreadthatahazarafaly.apairoftaliboffioflyingheeeventhoughnyoftheneighbors,inilyoutofthehousebysundoyneighborsaidthetalibsovingintosupposedlykeepitsafeuntiliretu.hassanprotestedagain.sotheytookhiothestreet”

    “no,”ibreathed.

    “andorderhiokneel”

    “no.god,no.”

    “andshothinthebackofthehead.”

    “farzanacasgandattackedthe

    “no.”

    “shothertoo.selfdefeheyclaidlater”

    butalliuldnageowhisper“no.no.no”overandain.

    ikeptthinkingofthatdayin1974,inthehospitalroojustafterhassansharelipsurgery.baba,rahihan,ali,andihadhuddledaroundhassansbed,exanehisneirror.noe.

    thehingelse:andressedinaherringbopressingthezzleofhiskalashnikovtothebayfathershouse.hassanslustotheasphalt,hislifeofuedloyaltydriftingfroiiketheesheusedtochase.

    “thetalibaothehouse,”rahihansaid.“thepretexturdersissedasacaseofselfdefense.noonesaidaostofithetaliban,ithink.butnooneoriskanythingforapairofhazaraservants.”

    “entsbefore,likeheirjan,isuonedyouherebecauseiedtoseeyoubeforeidie,butthatsnotall.”

    isaidnothing.ithinkialreadykneheosay.

    “iyoutogotokabuliyoutsohrabhere,”hesaid.

    istruggledtofindtherightetodealhthefactthathassanwasdead.

    “pleasehear.iknoerialytheyhouseandfeedafghanchildrenr.ands.caldheyh

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twavealreadytoldthatsohrabetotheirhoand”

    “rahihan,youtbeserious.”

    “childrenarefragile,arjan.kabulisalreadyfullofbrokenchildrenandidoher.”

    “rahihan,idonttogotokabul.it”isaid.

    “sohrabisagiftedlittleboy.ahosaghaisa

    goodnaykhanussokind,youshouldseehoreatsthoseorphans.”

    “eeoogoillpayforitifitsatterofney.”

    “itisntaboutney,ar”rahihanroared.“idyingnandioneye,youknohat.andhinkhknohastobeyou,dontwe”

    ididntnt,butidid.iuooditalltooeriily.kabulisadangerousplace,youknoeriskeverythingfor...“istopped.

    “youknokhansaid,“oi,eerhesaidto,rahiaboyselfbeesane”

    idroppedeyes.

    “askingfroouistograntanoldnhisdyingwish,”hesaidgravely.

    hehadgalednt.playedhisbestcard.orsoithoughtthen.hisbobet.finally,isettledforthis:

    “ybebaba.”

    “iorryyouthinkthat,ar.”

    iuldntlookathi“andyoudont”

    “ifidid,iehere.”

    itoyedye,rahihan.”

    “andyouvealethingelse.sothingyoudontknow.”

    “please,rahihan”

    “sanaubaralisfirstwife.”

    nowilookedup.

    “hearriedonthejaghoriarea.thisarriedforthreeyears.”

    “doesthishavetodohanything”

    “shelefthihreedaughters.thatstryingtotellyou.”

    ibegantoseeearriage,aprosinge.ididntneedanyofthis**.

    “alikhansaid.

    “nohe.heandsanaubarhadhassan,didheyhadhassan”

    “notheydidnt,”rahihansaid.

    “yestheydid”

    “notheydidnt,ar.”

    “thenwho”

    “ithinkyouknoho.”

    ifeltlikeanslidingdoblesandiyhaheroookhanclosedhiseyes.shookhishead.

    “youbastards,”ittered.stoodup.“yougoddabastards”isnbastards”

    “pleasesitdokhansaid.

    “hofroiibelloirjan.itefulsituation.peopleanhadbackthen,allthathee,andifpeopletalked...e,butishedhishand.headedforthedoor.

    “arjan,pleasedontleave.”

    iopehedooraohi“eihirtyeightyearsoldafoundoutakethieothing.notagoddathing”

    aoftheapartnt.

    eighteen

    thesunhadalstsetaheskysothersofpurpleandred.irahihansbuilding.thestreetazeofalleyoviepostersdisplayedsultryaarigolds.

    iokylittlesavarhouseandorderedayface.thatfeelingofslidingtoaniliaookandylooksfnnoself.

    hoetoseeallalong;theyissinghassansbirthday.ireeredthedayeandily.hehad,,edheandhassanwereleavingus.

    thee.hetableslegscrossedlikeanx,thereeunscreyoila,ofthehatneededfinishing.itriedtoillinginandoutofthelittlesshops.triedtolistentothe

    qausiygraduation,sittinginthefordhedjustgiven,sllingofbeerandsaying,ihustoday.

    hoeallthoseyearstohassanhehadsatonhislapestraightintheeyes,andsaid,thereisonlyonesin.andthatistheft...ehttothetruth.hadnthesaidthoseeandno,itherighttoknohassanhisidentity,andfrolihishonor.hisnang.hisnaos.

    thequestioingat:hoselftolookaliintheeyehoa

    ...

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    andhoageofbabaprintedonndforsolong,thatofhinhisoldbro,hobblingupthetaherisdriveoaskforsorayashand

    hereisanotherkhanhadsuooatojustforsinsbutforbabastoo.

    rahihansaididalyself.butiadealisteponthelandne,andihadntbroughtthetalibantothehousetoshoothassan.butihaddrivenhassanandalioutofthehouse.agihatthingsghthavetuedoutdifferentlyifihadntybebabaalongtoarica.ybehassaneofhisoily,alifeinauntryostpeopledidntevenknoaybeso.

    ikhan.ihaveaeriily.buthoeyaayhavesthassahings

    ikhanhadntyoblivion.buthehadadeseehoyentirelife,longbeforetheane,hadbeenacycleoflies,betrayals,as.

    thereisaobegoodagain,hedsaid.

    aoendthecycle.

    ewhereinkabul.

    ontherieonehadalyfightingfor.iyhairreakedhgray,andlatelyid

    trayoing.babahadliedaboutalotofthingsasittuedoutbuthehadntliedaboutthat.

    ilookedattheroundfaeinalivedon.itwasinkabul.

    ing.

    ifoundrahihanprayingnaziheroohetofinish.

    thenitoldhitocallthecaldoing.

    “illprayforyou,arjan,”hesaid.

    nieen

    agaiochchuedandtydriver,threealdglaherepathyinhiseyes.

    “hewindow”iasked.

    helitacigaretteandtuckeditbetainiuckitinthesllholeinthedoorywindow.

    faridgaveanotherdisssivelook,thisoy,andokinghisrudfort.

    “tashakor,”ittered.ileanedheadoutoftheidafteoonairrushpastfabereditbabaandihaddriventhroughthebrokenterrainbaountainssatalongdeepgesandsoaredtojaggedpeaks.oldfortresses,adobebling,toppedtheyeyesgluedtothesochsettledevenabit,thetruckskiddedarouau,rousingafreshwaveofnausea.

    “tryalen.”

    “”

    “len.goodforthesiess,”faridsaid.“ialhisdrive.”

    “nay,thankyou,”isaid.therethoughtofaddihertaught.”

    iregrettedbloy.“inthateso.”

    hegrabbedapaperbagfrohebackseatandpluckedahalflenoutofit.ibitdoinutes.“youiserablethanrude.iforcedaile.

    “oldediselfaselfsatisfiedlookintherearvieirror.heansapplethatonlypeekedfroehindhisbearduassoudreferredtobytajiksas“thelionofpanjsher.”

    itkhaofaridinpeshaefaridahefalytojalalabadantopieeexplosionthathadseveredtoesfroisfeetandthreefingersfroislefthand.afterthat,hehadvedhisopeshawar.

    “bled.isluedalittlei,arfoldedayontaboutthenausea.butihaveilitiaapproachedourdilapidatedlandcruiser,tookacurslanside,andwaveduson.

    faridkhanandide,alistthat

    ...

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    rahihaayafeoredays,toplahhly.butikneynd.iinate,agoionalize,andtalkselfintonotgoing.iylifeinarithepastthathadeption.soileftbeforethereyofthathappening.asfor

    soraya,tellingherioafghanistananoption.ifihad,sheheflighttopakistan.

    udhousesandhutsnsistingoflittlerethanfourileslater,ispottedaensittingontheirhaun,aaninabroudhouses.

    “strange,”isaid.

    “”

    “ifeellikeatouristinoaciatedgoatsalongthesideoftheroad.

    faridsnickered.tossedhiscigarette.“youstillthinkofthisplaceasyouruntry”

    “ithinkapartofaloredefehanihadintended.

    “afterterica,”hesaid,shetrucktoavoidapotholethesizeofabeachball.

    inodded.“igrean.”faridsnickeredagain.

    “hat”

    “nevernd,”herred.

    “no,itoknohat”

    inhisrearvieirror,isaethingflashinhiseyes.“youeigine,aghasahib.youprobablylivedinabigterianistheythreeovertodrinkandboastabouttheirtravelstoeuropeorarieyouveevere,revealingauthfulofpreturelyrottih.“aclose”

    “hesethings”isaid.

    “becauseyouandressedinraggedclothestrudgingdopath,alargeburlappackfilledhscrubgrasstiedtohisback.“thatstherealafghanistan,aghasahib.thatstheafghanistaniknoouristhere,youjustdidntkno.”

    rahihaoexpesorryaboutyhters,andiorryaboutyourhand.”

    “thatansnothingto,”hesaid.heshookhishead.“ingbaotherinarica”

    “therdiedgivingbirthto,”isaid.

    hesighedandlitanarette.saidnothing.

    “pullover.”

    “”

    “pulloddait”isaid.“ioingtobesick.”ituledoutofthetruckasitingtoarestonthegravelalongsidetheroad.

    bylateafteooerrainhadorerurallandsberedandnyoftheare,butitoseetreesagaihearduousdrivethroughthekhyberpass.ingclosertojalalabad,herakeusinforthenight.

    thesunhadntquitesettreesthereasireered,andsoofthehoshadbeenreducedtorooflessedclay.

    faridtuedontoanarrrepreghecitysairyeyesandsearchedforthesness.ididntfindit.

    “letsgo,”faridsaidiatiently.oadilapidatedooryhouseandkhewoodplankdoor.

    ayounganefirst,flinalaykukakafarid”

    “salaaryaan,”faridrepliedandgavehersothingheddeniedallday:asle.heplantedakissoopofherhead.theyoungansteppedoutoftheealittleapprehensivelyasifolloallhouse.

    theadobeceilingefropairoflainaer.ookoffourshoesandsteppedoraatthatveredthefloor.aloheattressveredhablahshreddedborders.

    atallbeardedntoasarica,”hesaidtobtoe.heleftusaloogreettheboys.

    bedhisshoulders.despiteprotest

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tws,orefortableonthefloor,andaskedryasotea.heaskedabouttheridefroeshahedriveoverthekhyberpass.

    “ihopeyoudidnteaybrothers.”

    faridallestofthethreeboystothefloorandtickledhintheribshhisgoodhand.thekidgiggledandkicked.“atleastihaveacar,”faridpanted.“hohesedays”

    “donkeyisabetterridethanyourcar.”

    “kharkharashnassah,”faridshotbatheadjoiningrooiuldseehalfoftheroorondanolderanablyhertherakettleintoapot.

    “soerica,aragha”wahidasked.

    “ier,”isaid.ithoughtiheardfaridchuckleatthat.

    “apressed.“doyoueaboutafghanistan”

    “ylastnovel,aseasonforashes,hadbeenaboutauyprofessorereviebarrassedbyit.ihoped.

    “ybeyoushouldeaboutafghanistanagaiofthethetalibanaredoingtoouruntry.”

    “not...iotquitethatkindofer.”

    “oh,”.”youkosuggest...

    justthen,ryaheranallplatter.istoodupinrespealayku”isaid.

    thean,,”sherepliedinabarelyaudiblevoice.adeeyentact.shepouredtheteaood.

    theanplaeaedtherooherbarefeetkingnosoundatallasshedisappeared.isatdohestrongblacktea.heuneasysilefollowed.

    “ssyoubacktoafghanistan”

    “allbacktoafghanistan,dearbrother”faridsaid,speakiuousgaze.

    “bas”wahidsnapped.

    “itsalething,”faridsaid.“sellthislahathouse,lleeriilyvaexi.”

    “farid”ahisishousearaghaisguesttonightandielikethis”

    faridopenedhisuth,alstsaidsothing,rensideredandsaidnothing.hesluedagainsttheutteredsothingunderhisbreath,andutilatedfootoodone.hisacgeyesneverleft.

    “fiveus,aragha,”ybrothersuthhasbeentepsaheadofhishead.”

    “itsfault,really,”isaid,tryingtosleunderfaridsintensegaze.“iaotoffended.ishouldhaveexplaiohiybusinesshereinafghanistan.iaotheretosellproperty.ioingtokabultofindaboy.”

    “aboy,”ed.

    “yes.”ifishedthepolaroidfrohepoyshirt.seeinghassanspiyeyesait.ihaotothephotoandbackagain.“thisboy”

    inodded.

    “thishazaraboy.”

    “yes.”

    “eantoyou”

    “hisfatherantalotto.heisthenio.hesdeadnow.”

    wahidblinked.“hewasafriendofyours”

    instinctedeeplevel,itooyhalfbrother.”isatehalfbrother.”ituedtheteacup.toyedhthehandle.

    “ididntantopry.”

    “youren,”isaid.

    “”

    “takehiacktopesha.”

    yshoulder.“youareanhonorablen,aragha.atrueafghan.”

    igedinside.

    “iaroudtohaveyouinourhotonight,”andcedaglanceovertofarid.heat.

    ashortaherbroughttingbosorryeat,”eatnow.”

    “thislooksetohitothekids,butilyhadeatenbeforeheshorehourhands.

    asiate,inotiaclaypot,iaskedforissiontogivehisboysahadia,agift.hesaidno,but,utteredasheepish“tashakor.”

    “ittellsyouthetiinanycityiheboysnoddedpolitely,passiaking

    tustryingiton.buttheylostiand,soo.

    “youuldhavetold,”faridsaidlater.thetatswahidswifehadspreadforus.

    “toldyou”

    “etoafghanistan.”hisvoiontihadthi

    “youdidntask,”isaid.

    “youshouldhavetold.”

    “youdidntask.”

    herolledtoface.curledhisarnderhishead.“ybeihisboy.”

    “thankyou,farid,”isaid.

    “itetoassu.”

    isighed.“dhtthanyouknow.”

    hishandsaretiedbehindhiroughlytingth

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twroughthefleshofhisutteringsothingunderhisbreath.istepesover,hetters.foryouathousandtisover.badforthherocks.heliftshisface.iseeafaintscarabovehisupperlip.

    alone.

    iseethebarrelfirst.theandingbehindhiheistall,dressedinaherringboandablaptiness.hetakesastepbaanshead.forant,fadingsunlightcatchesialandtwinkles.

    therifleroarshadeafeningcrack.

    ifolloeofskesthezzle.iahenintheherringbo.

    itrappedinthroat.

    isteppedoutside.stoodinthesilvertaishofahalfonandglanesinyanarriedhisthirdiygrandfatherhadgoneonahuntingtripotherhaddiedonthissoil.andonthissoil,ihadfoughtforfatherslove.

    isatagainstohehouseseinalandthatghtasoon,isensedafghanistanhuingunderfeet.ybeafghanistanhadntfotteher.

    ilookedarveledthat,soountains,kabulstillexisted.itreallyexisted,notjustasanoldry,orastheheadingofanapstoryonpage15ofthesanfraainsintheyharelippedbrotherandihadrunkites.soanfroydreaaddieda

    needlessdeath.onountains,ihaddeachoidnhtbathissoil.

    iingfrohehouse.iregnizedoneaswahids.

    “nothiforthechildren.”

    “savagesheisaguestodo”hesaidinastrainedvoice.

    “tofindsothingtorroears.“doifeed”

    itiptoedayfood.

    oing.justbeforeie,”hesaid.histhreesonsandinginthedoorgus.thelittleodangledaroundhist.

    iglahesidevieirrorasethat,inadifferenthoseboyshavebeentoohungrytochaseafterthecar.

    earlierthatihingihaddopledneyuress.

    ty

    faridhade.hehad.but,asittuedout,hehadedhisbreath.

    eidtraveledthatroadselfshotbyasinging,stonedroussioffiately,soproud.thetrekbeteareliindersofitilitarytruountaihesendytvs.andnhfaridseyes.

    siddleofthebrokenroad,faridani.hehadbeeeiledonudhutvillagesalongthepsinpakistan.“andsotisthedeadareluckier,”hesaid.

    hepoiheilyahevillage.”

    ove.

    intheolddays,thedrivefroalalabadtokabultooktaybealittlere.ittookfaridandoverfourhourstoreachkabul.aafter.

    “kabulisnottheeerit,”hesaid.

    “soihear.”

    faridgavealookthatsaidhearingisnotthesaasseeing.ahaveseenstupefiedexpression;shuttlingpeoplebailiare.

    hepattedontheshoulder.“eback,”hesaidrosely.

    rubbleandbeggars.everyeeredbeggarsintheolddaystoobabaalra

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.twhandfulofafghanibillsinhispo;idneverseenhienyapeddler.noudenoolderthanfiveorsix.theysatinthelapsoftheirburqaethingelse,sothingihadntnoticedrightasataletheadefathersararedityinafghanistan.

    beredasajorthhfareintheseventies:

    jadehyhadoeuntainsfroageithoseuntainsthatireerthefiringofthetopehonthofradan.youdheartheroarofthatonallthroughthecityinthosedays.

    “iusedtoeheretojadehyuled.“thereusedtobeshopshereandhotels.neonlights

    aaurants.iusedtobuykitesfronoldnnadsaifo.heranalittlekiteshopbytheoldpoliceheadquarters.”

    “thepoliceheadquartersisstillthere,”faridsaid.“neofpolithiscitybutyouayhosedaysareover.”

    jadehyidjaggedstusofbriuledraeofskerosetothesky.

    “hetrees”isaid.

    “peoplecuttheodooo.”

    “why”

    “snipersusedtohideinthe”

    asaduingtokabul,thathedbeeholessaute.

    “fatherbuiltanorphanageinsharekohna,theoldcity,southofhere,”isaid.

    “ireerit,”faridsaid.“itroyedafewyearsago.”

    “youpullover”isaid.“itotakeaquickwalkhere.”

    faridparkedalongtheallbashautteredasell”isaid.sothingakingeyeser.

    “diesel,”faridreplied.“thecitysgeorsarealricityisunreliable,andpeopleusedieselfuel.”

    “diesel.reerelledlikeintheolddays”

    faridsled.“kabob.”

    “lakabob,”isaid.

    “la,”faridsaid,tastih.“theonlypeopleinkabulbnoysleeve.“speakingofh...”

    avehicleurred.

    thateisaontvoeet,ontheverofgazines,andiellihatthesuddentasteinuthyselffleshhadntsuddenlyshrunk

    againstbonesae.inalltheirglory.

    theredtoyotapiensatontheirhaunaninhisearlytie.heldgaze.idneverfeltsonakediirelife.thealibspattobacstainedspittleandlookedaaystrailacloudofdust.

    “atterhyou”faridhissed.

    “”

    “doareattheoyouuandnever”

    “ididntanto,”isaid.

    “yourfriendisquiteright,agha.youghtaseonesaid.thisysoeonealisbrokenatlastandeveryonesaysallahuakbarandonthosedaysviolence,isntthere”

    “keepyoureyesonyourfeethetalibsarenear,”faridsaid.

    “yourfrienddispensesgoodadviedin.hebarkedae,butuldyouspareafehed.

    “bas.letsgo,”faridsaid,pullingbythear

    ihaheoldnahuhousandafghanis,ortheequivalentofaboutthreedollars.ilkahathadntbeenynostrilsanddegerise.hehurriedlyslippedtheneyinhis,hisloingsidetoside.“ahanksforyourbenevolence,aghasahib.”

    “doyouknoheorphanageisinkartehseh”isaid.

    “itsnothardtofind,itsjustanboulevard,”hesaid.“theheretokartehsehaftertherothelionscageandthroiigers.”

    “thankyou,agha,”isaid.ituedtogo.

    “thate,nay”

    “iorry”

    “thefirsttiyousaalib.”

    isaidnothing.theoldbeggaoddedandsled.revealedahandfulofreinih,allberthefirsttiisa

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twrollingintokabul.edlovearouble”

    aslesproutedonface.“iknohatghazal.thatshfez.”

    “yesitis.iheoldnreplied.“ishouldknooteachitattheuy.”

    “youdid”

    theoldnughed.“fro958to1996.itaughthfez,khayyáru,beydel,ja,saadi.once,iysticbeydel.ireerhoeniruck.”

    “thertaughtattheuy,”isaid.

    “ande”

    “sofiaakra.”

    hiseyesands.suchgrace,suchdignity,suchatragedy.”

    “youkher”iasked,kneelingbeforetheoldn.

    “yesiheoldbeggarsaid.“esarveloussliondondcakeorebeautifulforit.iethatday.”

    “e.”babahadalythertoinbroadstrokes,like,“shean.”butflavor,thesongsshelikedtohudidshebiteheailsbabatookhisriesofhertothegrave.ybespeakingheaindedhifhisguilt,ofaybehislosshadbeensogreat,hispainsodeep,heuldotalkabouther.ybeboth.

    “shesaid,ioafraid.andisaid,soprofoundlyhappy,dr.rasul.happinesslikethisisfrightening.iaskedherethingfroou,andisaid,hushup,nohissilliness.”

    faridtookar“iragha,”hesaidsoftly.isnatchedarelseelsedidshesay”

    theolduressoftened.“ieeredforyou.butidont.yourtherpassedaeagoandryisasshatteredasthesebuildings.iaorry.”

    “butevenasllthing,anythingatall.”

    theoldnsled.“illtrytoreerandthatsaprose.ebadfind.”

    “thankyou,”isaid.“thankyousootherhadlikedalndcakehhoneyandhottea,thatshedonceusedthehatshedfretted

    aboutherhappiness.ihadjustleaedreabouttherfrohisoldnoreetthanieverdidfroaba.

    ntedaboutostnonafghansprobableinother.beinarooortennutes,andtheyllfigureouthoheyrerelated.”

    anoepsofthatbuilding.ianttotakehiponhisoffer,ebayther.butineversaagain.

    es.herustedskeletonofauedcar,atvsethnoshalfburiedinrubble,ahthehetalibansprayedinblack.

    ashort,thin,baldingntofarid.“salaalayku”hesaid.

    “salaalayku”isaid.ishothepolaroid.“hisboy.”

    hegavethephotoasorry.ihaveneverseenhi”

    “youbarelylookedatthepicture,friend,”faridsaid.“takeacloserlook”

    “lotfan,”iadded.please.

    thenbehindthedoortookthepie,ihaveodo.”heclosedthedoor.lockedthebolt.

    irappedonthedooryknuanyhar”

    “itoldyou.hesnothere,”hisvoicecafroheotherside.“now,pleasegoaway.”

    faridsteppeduptothedoor,restedhisforeheadonit.“friend,aakethisboytoasafeplace.”

    “iefroeshaineknoerianspresenstandingthere,listeniatihersasa.heknooreadande.andhesgoodhtheslingshot.thereshopeforthisboy,agha,a.pleaseopenthedoor.”

    froheotherside,onlysilence.

    “iishalfuncle,”isaid.

    antpassed.thetledinthelock.thens

    narrotofaridandback.“youohing.”

    “”

    “hesgreaththeslingshot.”

    isled.

    “hesinseparablefrohatthiucksitintheofhispantseverywherehegoes.”

    thenselfaszan,thedireyoffice,”hesaid.

    ,grihallbledaround.ostattress,filledtheroo.

    “hoanyorphanslivehere”faridasked.

    “rethanfor.abouttansaidoverhisshoulder.“buttheyrenotallyateenyofthem

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twhavelosttheirfathersihersesthanireerandtheyjusttethereisnoney.noney.”hesnickered.

    hepoioaroattressesforthebedseientionoflunch.

    hestoppedao.“thereisverylittleshelterhere,alstnofood,noayoolate.”

    “ean”

    zanseyesshifted.“folloe.”

    ans,andscurriedthroughtheopendoor.

    “eanitybetoolate”isaid.

    “echaiiuldkeso.”

    “nay,thankyou.idratheralk.”

    zantiltedbasonhisaybeverydangerous.”

    “for”

    “you..and,ofurse,forsohrab,ifitsnottoolatealready.”

    “ioknow,”isaid.

    henodded.“soyousay.butfirstitoaskyouaquestion:

    hotofindyouephew”

    ithoughtofthestreetfightseshassaakethenfor,tetisthreeagainstone.idptedtostepin,butalething.

    ilookedatthehallputatedbeloattressandilingandeeredething:iewhereheis,”isaid.

    zansgazelingeredon.thenhenodded,pickedupapencil,andtynaoutofit.”

    “iprose.”

    hetappedthetableise,ithinkilllivetretthis,butperhapsitsjustasdaedahingahereisataliboffionthort,notalot,butbetterthannothingatall.”hisshiftyeyesfellon,rolledaakeagirl.butnotalways.”

    “andyoualloe.hean.

    “anshotback.hepushedhielfathedesk.

    “yourethedirectorhere,”faridsaid.“yourjobischoverthesechildren.”

    “theresnothingidotostopit.”

    “youresellingchildren”faridbarked.

    “farid,sitdoansadeffledsgsounds.hislegskickedadeskdrasofpaperspilledtothefloor.

    iranaroundthedeskandsaahatsenough”ibarked.butfaridsfaeiillinghi”hesneered.

    “getoffhi

    “iillinghisothinginhisvoiethatifididntdosothingquicklyidyfirstrder.

    “theont,ithoughthedkeepsqueezingzahfulofspitonhisface.thehedoorandclosedit.

    zanstruggledtohisfeet,blottedhisbloodylipsoff.heburiedhisfae.

    “hetooksohrabanthago,”zanfinallycroaked,handsstillshieldinghisface.

    “youcallyourselfadirector”faridsaid.

    zandroppedhishands.“ihaventbeenpaidinoversixnths.irokebe.”hepoihedoor.“ifidenyhiakeoneahejudgingtoallah.isyprideandtakehisgoddafilthy...dirtyhenigotothebazaarandbuyfoodforthechildren.”

    fariddroppedhiseyes.

    “happenstothechildreakes”iasked.

    zanrubbedhiseyesb.“sotistheyeback.”

    “whoisheho”isaid.

    “gotoghazistadiuorroathalfti.hellbetheoneinhishands.“iyoutogonoened.”

    heesrtedusout.

    asthetruckpulledaanintheside

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twvieirror,standinginthedoor,clutgthehefhislooseshirt.isaonhisbrokenglasses.

    tyone

    itsna.

    isaandangledfroheendofaropetiedtoabeahisfa.

    atedlyatabusystreeter.oheutatedbelos.“youknotheyredoinghaggliheleg.”

    “hessellinghisleg”

    faridnodded.“youoneyforitontheblackrket.feedyourkidsforaupleofweeks.”

    tosurprise,stofthehousesistillhadroofsandstanding,theytygoodshape.treesstill

    peekedovertheetedandbulletpocked,stillpoiheway.

    “thisisntsobad,”irerked.

    “nosurprise.stoftheiortantpeopleliveherenow.”

    “taliban”

    “theoo,”faridsaid.

    “whoelse”

    hedroveusintoaesoherside.“thepeoplebehialiban.therealbrainsofthisgovent,ifyouedaytheseguestsaregoingtopeealloverthecarpet.”

    “ithinkthatsit”isaid.“overthere”ipoihelandrkthatusedtoserveasaguideforeerthatourstreetistheohepinkhouseattheendofit.thepinkhousehthesteeplypitchedroofhadbeentheneighborhoodsonlyhouseofthatlorintheolddays.itstillwas.

    faridtuedontothestreet.isaaway.

    anglesofsbrierintheyard.knogotthereaedtocare.itsshellabrightred,hassansidea,andagoodone:

    thisonsterinsodistantjungleandonstrosityaredsoldierssaluteusonbothsidesasgigantiedadventurersandtheedalofhonorfeousfeat...

    gingerly,iyhandsoybars,reeriesthousandsoftisasaatterednotatallnoedsoiortantthen.ipeeredin.

    thedrivethegatestotheyard,reeredit.theasphalthadsplitinalightningstreakpatte,aanglesofbtoshineourrrorsintotheneighborshos.theoillstandingebrohehazeofdusthoverthecity,dottedbybaldpatchesofdirthinggreall.

    ajeephedrivehatlookedallwrong:

    babasblaustaoing,rousingfroleep.isaptysside.isaherosebushesthatbabaandalihadplaheleftsideofthedrivethatspilledontotheasphalt.andweeds.

    faridhoe.“ention,”hecalled.

    “justgiveoe,”isaid.

    thehouseitselfthespraansionireeredfroyaller.theroofsaggedandtheplaster,thefoyer,aairsguestbathroos.thepaint,onyfathershousehepictureoffallensplendor.

    ifoundtheyoldbedroosendfloor,thirdaiothehouse.istoodontiptoes,saeybreathfogginguptheglass.ihadyfatherscar.

    “aragha,”faridcalledagain.

    “ing,”ishotback.

    insanely,iakehassanandtakeoffoursnos.iedtostepintothe

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twfoyer,slltheepeelalialossedintothestovetobuhsa.sitatthekittable,haveteahasliaan,listentohassansingoldhazarasongs.

    anotherhonk.iokingbehindthewheel.

    “ihavetolookatohing,”itoldhi

    “youhurry”

    “givetennutes.”

    “go,then.”then,justasiakesiteasier.”

    “to”

    “togoon,”faridsaid.heflioredoyouoseeletsaveyouthetrouble:nothingthatyoureerhassurvived.besttet.”

    “idontore,”isaid.“givetennutes.”

    ,hassanandi,whenwehiked

    upthehilljustnorthofbabashouse.peredaboutthehilltopchasingeachotherorsatonaslehereheairportiance.akeoffandland.gorunningagain.

    noeireaelongtofindit.itegraree.

    ileanedagainstthegraystoeeteryother.theoldtalgateshangingoffthehiheplot.apairofcroetery.

    hassanhadsaidinhisletterthatthepograreehadntboefruitinyears.lookingattheeeredallthetisbedit,straddleditsbranyuth.

    ihunkereddoykneesandbrushedhandsagainstthetrunk.ifoundostfadedaltogether,butitirandhassaansofkabul.”itraallbitsofbarkfrohetinycrevasses.

    isatyeredinthesun.ifyoulistenedhard,youghtevenhaveheardtheosqueinsharenau.

    iheardahonkaetogo.

    enewepassedone.

    ipaidforarootasllhotelnearpashtunistansquare.threelittlegirlsdressediicalblackdressesandanbehier.hecharged75,anunthinkablepricegiventherundoind.exploitationtofinanceabeachhouseinhahing.doingittofeedyourkidsher.

    thereebedattress,araggedbla,andaysuitcase,inoticedadriedbloodstainonthehebed.

    igavefaridsoneyaogetfood.heretuedhfoursizzlingskeerithebedandallbutdevouredthefood.therehingthathadntgedinkabulafterall:

    thekabobeered.

    thatnight,itookthebedandfaridlayonthefloor,selfeanadditionalfee.nolightexooreangthroughthebrokenthatkabulhadbeeneaboutgroeaboutatishortlyafterheandhisfatherjoihejihadandfoughttheshoraeofthedayheliptergunfirekilledhisfather,ofthedaythelandookhisteaboutarithatinariote,andyouuldgetasatellitedishifyoued.receiveoverfivehundredels.

    “fivehundred”faridexclaid.

    “fivehundred.”

    eandplaihatherhusbandhadbeatenher”iuldfeelhilinginthedarkandasleofoedohereblingllah.

    “”

    “hebeathertoo,theherbaullahullahhisu.”

    ilaughed.partlyatthejoke,partlyathooeverged.ullahhadplacedaheavybagonhisshouldersandwasridinghisdonkey”isaid.

    “no.”

    “soohestreetsaidheavyenoughalreadyforthepoorthing.”

    ullahnasruddiilandagain.

    “aragha”faridsaid,startlingfroearsleep.

    “yes”

    “ean,whyareyoureallyhere”

    “itoldyou.”

    “fortheboy”

    “fortheboy.”

    faridshiftedontheground.“itshardtobelieve.”

    “sotisiselfhardlybelieveiere.”

    “no...eantoaskiseallthearicafor...ashia”

    thatkilledallthelaughterin.andthesleep.“iaired,”isaid.“letsjustgetsosleep.”

    faridssns

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twooyrooistayedaychest,staringintothestarlitnightthroughthebrokenaybeaybeite.

    abustlingcrothetightlypacreteterraces.childrenplayedintheaislesandchasedeachotherupanddoixedellofdungands.faridandistreetpeddlerssellingcigarettes,pis,andbiscuits.

    aseifie“sexypictures.”

    “verysexy,agha,”hesaid,hisalerteyesdartingsidetosiderendingofagirleeafleetingglanoviesshowing

    doeeyedsultryaen.“sosexy,”herepeated.

    “nay,thanks,”isaid,pushingpasthi

    “hegetscaught,theyllgivehifloggingthatuttered.

    thereonareshovingandelbo.

    ireeredhoetosashere.hereostnotablyapairofdeepholesinthegroundbehihendgoalposts.andtheresfinallytookthefieldalledifficulttofolloedtheaisles,strikinganyoneooloudly.

    theybroughttheutshortlyafterthehalftithroughthegates.theaniher.thetrusapplebobbedupanddouledaprayerunderhisbreath.

    theredtruattheendofthefield.thisonesuredinanticipation.

    “doyoutostay”faridsaidgravely.

    “no,”isaid.ihadneverinlifeaplaceasbadlyasididnoostay.”

    tanfrohefirsttrupedagain.edandkiangledlegfreefrohebeartrap.toretalibsjoinedinandhelpedforan,oherhand,quietlyallotolointotheholedugforhinotheground.

    aitheanintheholeing.heresbered

    sothingbabahadsaidtoalongtiago:pissonthebeardsofallthoseselfrighteousheydonothingbutthutheirrosariesaeabookteninatoheydonteveand.godhelpusallifafghanistaneverfallsintotheirhands.

    .“ad,pea,arealiveandeland.aninghissin.thosearenotybrothers.thosearetheuchtoohot.

    “everysibepunishedinaninghissin”theike,loatient,brothersandsisters,befitstheadultererhehoiurspreadthroughthecrowd.

    o,faridselvessli,”hewhispered.

    thenatall,broadshoulderednsteppedoutofthepidreafee,nooneanssparkliglieredieoonsun.thehefhislooseshirtflutteredinthebreeze,hisarspreadlikethoseofjesusonthecross.hegreetedthecrouingsloion,isaheonesjohnlennonwore.

    “thatstbeourn,”faridsaid.

    thetalltalibthethirdtrueandsaound,hurledthestone

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twattheblindfoldedninthehole.itstruedagain.theyeyesandveredfaeduyhands.iknoyeyeseasking,“rdrdishedead”

    thenintheholeangledssofbloodandshreddedrags.hisheadsluedforansquattiothehole,tossingarockupanddowninhis

    hand.thesquattingnhadoneendofastethospetohisearsaherpressedontheaninthehole.herevedthestethospefroisearsandshookhisheadnoatthetalibinthesunglasses.thecrooaned.

    johnlennonound.

    adeapassingattetatveringupthelargebloodstainsbyki.afeier,theteatookthefield.sendhalfwasunderway.

    ouretie.idexpeanonthefield,pessengersear.theyoungnrelayedthessagebacktous.

    it,then.threeoclock.

    tytwo

    farideasedthelandehna,streetoftheguests.hekilledtheengineandinute,listeningtothetinktinkoftheengineolingoff,heroneofussayinganything.faridshiftedonhisseatandtoyedtheignitiootellsothing.

    “iguessille.“thisisyourbusinessnow.i”

    ipattedhisar“youvedoneanincharge,pissonthebeardofaeryinhayonth,sorayaandihadplacedabouquetofdaisiesandfreesiasbesidehisheadstone.iyown.

    isteppedoutoftheontlater,iheardtersevoientotingkalashnikovsanshedoor.

    iglafaridsittingintheduthed,illbebaotsosureatallthatiwouldbe.

    theardnfriskedheadtotoe,pattedlegs,feltsaidsothinginpashtuahchuckled.beredhoayounshouseinjalalabadhadhadaa,andiusedtodroppebblesinit,listenfortheplink.

    bedafeentookupstairstoaroontgreensofasandabigsotioo.

    iylegs.un.satysyknees.didthatkelooknervousisonyteles.ifeltutterlyalohoughtsyhead,butididntekneaogetselfintoilesfroythatfeltlikeaholdingesaid.yutless.itshoade.andthatsnotsubering.

    thereetallie:attheouth.ihadtopreoyhead.thegrapee.

    thedooropenedaedued,betthetalltalibinebroadshouldered,icguru.

    hetookaseataandlorests.foralongti,hesaidnothing.justsatthere,e,onehanddruingtheupholstery,theotherturquoiseblueprayerbeads.heovertheeshirtnoch.isachofdriedbloodonhisleftsleeve.ifoundit

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twrbidlyfasatingthathehadntgedclothesaftertheexecutionsearlierthatday.

    periodiethingintheair.theydeslootions,upanddoarksonhisforeardseenthosesatraelesspeoplelivingingrialleysinsanfrancis.

    hisskinuostsalloedonhisforeheadjustbeloheedgeofhisblackturban.hisbeard,chestlengthliketheothers,erinlortoo.

    “salaalayku”hesaid.

    “salaa”

    “youdoahthatnow,youknow,”hesaid.

    “pardon”

    hetuedhispalooheardnandtioned.rrrriiiip.suddenlycheeksybeardupanddouchbetterthis,fistopeningandclosing.“so,inshallah,youeheshooday”

    “yvoicedidraytheexplosionofterrorifeltinside.

    “publia.suspense.aofall,eduasse.”hesnappedhisfiheyouhetaself.hishandsostdroppedtheazar.august1998,thatwas.”

    “iorry”

    “outforthedogs,youknow.”

    isahetingat.

    hestoodup,pailies.lettheee.lettheeerostpantiis,es.and...id...idsyandfireandfireuntiltheskeblinded.”heleaoe,likeanabouttreatseorse,khat,javid”

    “yes,aghasahib,”theyouheguardsreplied.“ho”

    ihadreadaboutthehazarassaazar,ohelasteeredsorayahandiicleoverbreakfast,herfacebloodless.

    “doortodoor.antellingofagreatpartyhedattended.“iliestriedtosneakoutttheaes,too.ireetsfordays.

    theorthedogs.dogatfs.”hearica”

    “yes.”

    “hohathesedays”

    ihadasuddeourinate.iprayeditlookingforaboy.”

    “isnteveryone”hesaid.thenhthekalashnikovslaughed.theirteethainedgreenhnaswar.

    “iuandheishere,eissohrab.”

    “illaskyousothing:areyoudoingbrothers,servingyouruntry”

    “ivebeenae,”ykogether,heldbladder.

    thetalibtuedtothetenstandingbythedoor.“thatsanans.

    “nay,aghasahib,”theysaidinunison,sling.

    hetuedhiseyested.“notanareason.iuldhaveyouarrestedfortreason,haveyoushotforitevehatfrightenyou”

    “inlyherefortheboy.”

    “doesthatfrightenyou”

    “yes.”

    “itshould,”hesaid.heleanedbathesofa.crushedthecigarette.

    ithoughtaboutsoraya.itark,theelegantinouseyes.ithoughtofourirroruhegreenveil,andhoeeredthetilingfaces.

    thetalibething.

    “pardon”

    “isaidyboy”hisupperlipcurledupinasneerhoselasttwowords.

    “yes.”

    theguardlefttherooiheardtheeofthenkeynhassanandiusedto

    adethatsajinglingsound.

    thenthedooropenedandtheguardboxonhisshoulder.behindhiaboydressedinaloose,sapphirebluepirhantuanfollowed.

    thereselancekhanspolaroidhadntdoicetoit.

    theboyhadhisfathersroundoyr.hisheadas,thebellsstrappedaroundhisaoppedjingling.hiseyesfellon.lihenhelookedahisnakedfeet.

    oheguardspressedabuttonandpashtusi.tabla,harniutheusibegantoclap.

    “heycheered.

    sohrabraisedhisarandtuedslo.hisfeetpouhefloor,the

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twbellsjinglinginperfectharnyhthebeatofthetabla.hekepthiseyesclosed.

    “shallah”theyouthhalfopeninaleer.

    sohrabdanusiepedhisfootidspin.

    “bia,bia,boy,”thetalibsaid,.sohrab,headdosaroundtheboy.“hoyhazaraboy”hesaid.hishandssliddopits.oheguardselbotoleaveusalone.

    “yes,aghasahib,”theysaidastheyexited.

    thetalibspuntheboyaroundsohefasaroundsohrabsbelly,restedhisanshandslidupanddoheboysbelly.upanddoly.

    “ivebeeneoversohrabsshoulder.“everhappeooldbabalu,anyway”

    thequestionhitlikeahaerbetface.legsb.

    helaughed.“e.“iheardyourfatherdied.tsktsk.ialon.lookslikeillhavetosettleforhisine.

    itriedtotakeabreathanduldnt.itriedtoblinkanduldnt.thesurrealno,notsurreal,absurdithadknhttheetoastandstill.fathedeepandididntightnjurehibuthe,afteralltheseyears.hisnaescapedlips:“assef.”

    “ainirjan.”

    “areyoudoinghere”isaid,knoterlyfoolishthequestionsounded,yetuhinkofanythiosay.

    “”assefaryelent.thequestionisareyoudoinghere”

    “ialreadytoldyou,”isaid.voicebling.iyfleshybones.

    “theboy”

    “yes.”

    “why”

    “illpayyouforhi”isaid.“ihaveneywired.”

    “ney”assefsaid.hetittered.“haveyoueverheardofrooney,illhavethe.”hekissedthesideofsohrabsher.doyou”

    lipshadgonedry.iliytonguehaddriedtoo.

    “areyouthirsty”assefsaid,srking.

    “ithinkyourethirsty.”

    “iine,”isaid.thetruthfelttoohotsuddenlyspores,prigskin.andassef

    “asyouayreer,iuchioustype.butonedayihadanepiphany.ihaditinjail.doyoutohear”

    isaidnothing.

    “good.illtellyou,”hesaid.“ispentsotiinjail,atpoleharyfatherandatgunpointtofollo.thebastardsdidntgiveareason,ahersquestions.notthatitystery;everyoshadnoiliese.thesadogsyshoesbeforetheshoraeeatgunpoint,parakingtheirlittlepointaboutthefallofthebeoisieandagliketheyinjail,keanexalefortherades.

    “anydingroupsofsixiinyandant,ahaifhazara,halfuzbekthingelledlikearottingdonkey,untilshisfatfaeoneelse.onenight,hepieaginablepain.therusedtogettheoo,andireershetoldone.hehadkneehighbootse,andheusedthen.iingandseevenharderandistartedlaughidandhitharder,andtheharderhekicked,theharderilaughed.theythreebathecelllaughing.ikeptlaughingandlaughingbecausesuddenlyikneessagefrood:heyside.heetoliveforareason.

    “youknondantolefieldafeinatreneynah,bleedingfropieifhereered.hesaidno.itoldhihesathingijusttoldyou,thatineverfetafaintheballs.ivebeenonassionsince.”

    “issionisthat”iheardselfsay.“stoningadulterersrapingchildrenfloggingenforassag

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.twhazarasallinthenaofislatheeoutbeforeiuldyanktheleash.iback.s.butthey.ihadcrossedaline,atlehopeihadofgettingoutalivehadvahosewords.

    alookofsurprisepassedaaytuouttobeenjoyableafterall,”hesaid,snickering.“buttherearethingstraitorslikeyoudontuand.”

    “like”

    assefsbros,yuage.afghanistanislikeabeautifulnsionlitteredeootakeoutthegarbage.”

    “thatsazar,goingdoortodoortakingoutthegarbage”

    “precisely.”

    “iheyhaveanexpressionforthat,”isaid.“theycallitethnicsing.”

    “dothey”assefsfacebrightened.“ethnicsing.ilikeit.ilikethesoundofit.”

    “alliistheboy.”

    “ethnicsing,”assefrred,tastingthewords.

    “ie.theyasascaratotheeyesofthesheepaacubeofsugarbeforesligitsthroat.ithoughtisawpleadinginsohrabseyes.

    “telleeth.letgo.sbeadsrolleddownhisbrow.

    “thatsbusiness.”

    “ile.“ortohi”

    “thatsdisgusting,”isaid.

    “horiedit”

    “itoabetterplace.”

    “tellwhy.”

    “thatsbusiness,”isaid.ididntknoboldeobesocurt,ybethefactthatithoughtiodieanyway.

    “ieallthisir,eallthishyareyoureallyhere”

    “ihavereasons,”isaid.

    “veryrightintothetable.sohrabshipsstruckthetable,knogitupsidedo,facefirst,andstainedhisshirtpurplehgrapejuice.the

    tableslegs,crossingthroughtheringofbrassballs,ingtotheceiling.

    “takehithen,”assefsaid.ihelpedsohrabtohisfeet,stedthebitsofcrushedgrapethathadstucktohispantslikebaaclestoapier.

    “go,takehi”assefsaid,pointingtothedoor.

    itooksohrabshand.itall,theskindryandoved,lacedtheelvesine.isailing.thebellsjingledas.

    adeitasfarasthedoor.

    “ofurse,”assefsaidbehindus,“ididntsayyouuldtakehiorfree.”

    itued.“doyou”

    “youhavetoeahi”

    “doyou”

    “eunfinishedbusiness,youandi,”assefsaid.“youreer,dontyou”

    hehavee,oneeyedassef.insteadofassefgoshkhor.ireerhoisedthatintheeusboth.hedkeptthatproseytu.

    “allright,”isaid,notknoontforhi

    assef.“ie,”hesaidtothe“inant,ioingtoattereindoyouheardontein.

    theguardsnodded.lookedfrossefto.“yes,aghasahib.”

    “,thenheseaedhisfreedondyoulethiass,doyouuand”

    theuardshiftedonhisfeet.“butaghasahib”

    “ifitshiyoulethiass”assefsreachedforsohrab.

    “lethitay,”assefsaid.hegrinned.“lethih.lessoodthingsforboys.”

    theguardsleft.assefputdoeo:staieelbrassknuckles.

    hehasgelinhishairandaadeadarkstaintheshapeofafri.that,andthegoldallahyeyeskeepgoingtohisadaapplebobbingupanddohosnsoapoperabutalliagoodfight.

    idontknouchasthroyentirelife.

    ryofthefightazinglyvividiusitheyhead;thedustfrotdesneeze.ireerassefshovinggrapesinfaepoiloosecurlsofshoulderlengthblondhair.

    andtheend,ofurse.that,istillseehperfectclarity.ialwayswill.

    stly,ireerthis:hisbrassknuayhavehungoning.tabla,harniuadilroba.gettinghurledagainsttheyjayo,thinkingaboutalltheuntlesshoursidspentflossingandbrushiinghurledagainstthesplitupperlipstainingtheuveybelly,andyribssnappinglikethetreebraning.thesideoffaceslaingagains

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twttheerofthetelevisionstand.thatsnappingsoundagain,thistijustunderlefteye.siing.fingersgraspinghair,pullingheadbaing.

    idontknoyjayribs,throat.butie,punched,scratched.

    “ed.

    “ynd,idevenbeenlookingforeeredthedayonthehillihadpeltedhassanegranatesandtriedtoprovokehihedjuststoodthere,doingnothing,redjuiegranatefroyhand,crusheditagainsthisforehead.areyousatisfiednoybodyhofindoutuntillaterbutifelthealed.healedatlast.ilaughed.

    thehat,illtaketograve:

    iyedbysnarlsofhishairsface.hisfreehandythroat.theother,theohebrassknuckles,ckedabovehisshoulder.heraisedhisfisthigher,raiseditforanotherblow.

    then:“bas.”athinvoice.

    hlooked.

    “please,nore.”

    ireeredsothingtheorphanagedireanhesinseparablefrohatthing,hehadsaid.hetucksitintheofhispantseverywherehegoes.

    “nore.”

    tasucusseepedfroisnose.“bas,”hecroaked.

    hishahingintheyeyesandsatheringiablebase.sohrabhadtheslingshotpoioassefsface.

    “nha.please,”hesaid,hisvoi.”

    assefsuthvedething,stopped.“doyouthinkyoureyoudoing”hefinallysaid.

    “pleasestop,”sohrabsaid,freshtearspoolinginhisgreeneyes,xingascara.

    “putitdodoingtohiaredtoilldotoyou.”

    thetearsbrokefree.sohrabshookhishead.“please,agha,”hesaid.“stop.”

    “putitdown.”

    “donthurthinyre.”

    “putitdown.”

    “please.”

    “putitdown”

    “putitdoythroat.lusohrab.

    theslingshotdeathihishandontago.bloodoozedbetethingelse,sothingereousfluid.

    assefrolledonthecarpet.rolledsidetoside,shrieking,hishandstillcuppedoverthebloodysocket.

    “letsgo”sohrabsaid.hetookhand.helpedtofeet.everyinybatteredbodyhpain.behindus,assefkeptshrieking.

    “outgetitout”hescread.

    teetering,iopehedoor.theguardseyeseandiachhurtethinginpashtuaheybleing.“out”

    “bia,”sohrabsaid,pullinghand.“letsgo”

    istuleddoiookafinallookovershoulder.theguardsethingtohisface.theniuood:thebrassballptyeyesocket.

    theabove,assefssyarroundsohrabsshoulder,andisaowardus.

    “bisllahbisllah”hesaid,eyesbulgingatthesightof.

    heslungarroundhisshoulderandlifted.ed.ient,slappedhisblaedshutandtheengineroaredtolife.theeshouting,andsaillahbisllak”

    itthenthatipassedout.

    tythree

    faeago,ybeayearago,ybetaybeten,itriedtotalktoasveryiortantthatido.butidontreerighthavebeeniortant.ybei

    totellhiost,thateverythingereasonitthinkof,itothankthechild.

    faberanyoftheexceptfortheoache,theoersoapoperastar.thatsfunny.itolaughnolaughinghurtstoo.

    ifadeout.

    shesaysheaisaisha,“liketheprophet

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.twsiddleandtiedinaponytail,heosepieriles.sayssothinginenglish.sothingisjabbingatthesideofchest.

    ifadeout.

    anisstandingatbedside.ikno.heisdarkandlanky,hasalongbeard.heouspersohereissothingyuth.ihearabubblingsound.

    ifadeout.

    rightarus.theanyaratta.”“itstingslikeabee,no”shesays.itdoes.esothingtodoafeoail.nospulledback,tiedinabun.soraya

    ehatlastweek

    aishayes.

    thereissothingyuth.andthatthingjabbingatchest.

    ifadeout.

    ight,nottheaheblahenana,babase.iaingthebear.

    ianisbathethirsty.

    ifadeout.

    ikeepfadinginandout.

    thenaofthenustaeonenadarndinsosteasoapsetonatropicalisland.

    iiyuthandsled;histeethe.

    “,ar,”hesaid,“butsoon.he.”hespokeenglishhathick,rollingurduat.

    wires

    arnds;hehadhairyforearandustbeal,thepostsurgicalstateisaling.soilltellyouiknow.”

    iabouttheileat,ine.

    arndfroportanteverysignifiinalaheoneiled.“youalsosufferedsevenbrokenribs.oheausedaphorax.”

    ifroyuth.reeredaboutthewires.

    “thatansapuside.ifeltthejabbingagaini.“there.

    “youhadalsosufferedvariouslaeanscuts.”iik;iyuth.fotaboutthewiresagain.

    “theandsaid.“theiacthadcutyourupperlipintiddle.butnottoheplasticsguyssebacktogetherahinkyouresult,thoughthereisunavoidable.

    “thereeoutinaboutsixandsaid.“untilthenitsliquidsandshakes.youethefirstgodfather

    vieforalittleyouhaveajobtodotoday.doyouknoitis”

    ishookhead.

    “yourjobtodayistopassgas.youdothatandartfeedingyouliquids.nofart,nofood.”helaughedagain.

    later,afteraishaanddr.faruqihadsaid:theiacthadcutyourupperlipintiddle.doiddle.likeaharelip.

    faridandsohrabber”faridsaid,onlyhalfjokingly.inodded.

    “alhaullellah”hesaid,beang.“alkingnonsense.”

    “thankyou,farid,”isaidthroughjaandthegodfather.andtonguesurprisedeverytiitpokediheetyspacesleftbytheteethihadsean,thankyou.foreverything.”

    hebanthatlookedabitbigforhiandablackskullcap.hehisfeet,toyinghtheivlihebed.

    “yhand.“iar.”

    helookedathand,thento.“youarethearaghafathertoldabout”hesaid.

    “yes.”ireeredthehassaer.ihavetoldischiefyouandiusedtocause“ioylife.”

    hedidntsayanything.idroppedhanduled.

    “theyresons,”faridsaid.“hehasoutgro.theyfitsohrabpretty

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw,hesaid,until.“,buttothestreets.besides,.ha,sohrab”buttheboyjustkeptlookingdohelinehhisfinger.

    “ivebeenaningtoask,”faridsaid,alittlehesitantly.“happehathousehappealib”

    “letsjustsayhgotwedeserved,”isaid.

    faridnodded,didntpu**.itoeeefriends.“ivebeenaningtoasksothingtoo.”

    “”

    ididntkhan,”isaid.

    “hesgone.”

    heartskipped.“ishe”

    “no,just...gone.”hehandedafoldedpieallkey.“thelandlavethis.hesaidrahihahedayafterwedid.”

    “wheredidhego”

    faridshrugged.“thelandlorddidntknokhaheletterandthekeyforyouandtookhisleave.”hecheckedhisch.“idbettergo.bia,sohrab.”

    “uldyouleavehiereforauplater”ituedtosohrab.“doyoueforalittlewhile”

    heshruggedandsaidnothing.

    “ofurse,”faridsaid.“illpiaz.”

    thereyrooten,onea,andayoungnoffifteenorsixteentothehazaraboysittingonastool.rooatesfaliesoldeninbrightshaleezes,etispeoplejust,likethetall,beardedn.aishaaskedhiothinginurdu.hepaidheoattentionatlelohannecessary.agaispunarounda.

    “hohishands.

    “areyouhungrythatladytheregaveaplateofbiryani,butiteatit,”isaid.ididntkno.“youit”

    heshookhishead.

    “doyoutotalk”

    heshookhisheadagain.

    epoint,and,dabit,theshadowshad

    stretched,andsohrabe.heilllookingdohishands.

    thatnight,afterfaridpikhaer.ihaddelayedreadingitaslongaspossible.itread:

    arjan,inshallah,youhavereasyprayerssihedayyouleft.youeshortlyafterithappened.youdidirjan,butdonetthatyouaoahisjoueytoafghanistan.

    arjan,iashadfortheliesethingstteredrethah.

    arjan,ikbledforyou.butyourfatherairjan:

    youandhassan.helovedyouboth,butheuldnotlovehassahesociallylegititehalf,thehalfthatrepresehericheshehadiedandthesinpunityprivilegesthatca.aybesodayyouself.yourfather,likeyou,irjan.

    iebeaybeeven.andthisisorse.sotis,ithihinghedid,feedingthepoororeets,buildingtheorphanage,giviofriendsiinghielf.andthat,ibelieve,isptionis,arjaogood.

    iknoe,andyoutoo.ihopeyoue.fiveyourfatherifyoueifyouostiortant,fiveyourself.

    ihaveleftyousoofayhavesoexpensesoneyshouldbeenoughtoverthethereisabankinpeshaoneyisinasafedepositbox.ihavegivenyouthekey.

    asfor,itistitogo.ihavelittletileftahatisfinalrequestofyou.

    ileaveyouinthehandsofgod.

    yourfriendalways,

    rahibr >

    idraggedthehospitalgoyeyes.ifoldedtheletterandputituress.

    ar,thesoyapartnttheariaybeinarica,e,hesatlebitofhassan.

    yourfather,likeyou,khanhadorse.yguiltoutontheverysapeopleihadbetrayed,arytetitalleaninsoiac

    hadieverdoo

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw小说站  www.xsz.twrightthings

    eeifineededarphineiion,isaidyes.

    theyrevedtheandgavethestaffthegoaheadtoletsipapplejuiirrorybed.sheliftedherbifooingsunfloodtheroo“reer,noopedactlastyear.hishandsofaceepurplelikeaneggplant.nooviestar.”

    despiteherreassuranirrorahethingthatinsistedityfaeonehadstuyskinandhadpuedayuth,agrotesqueblobofpurpleandred,allbruiseandstitileandaboltofpainrippedthroughlips.ibedoingthatforaitches

    ayleftcheek,justuhe,ontheforeheadjustbelohehairline.

    theoldguyethinginurdu.igavehishrugandshookhead.hepoiohisface,pattedit,andgrinnedaoothlessgrin.“verygood,”hesaidinenglish.“inshallah.”

    “thankyou,”iwhispered.

    faridandsohrabjustasiputtherroraookhisseatoool,restedhisheadonthebedssiderail.

    “youknohesooneryououtofherethebetter,”faridsaid.

    “dr.faruqisays”

    “idontanthehospital.ianpeshawar.”

    “why”

    “idontthinkyoullbesafeheref,”faridsaid.heloartlookingforyou.”

    “ithinktheyalreadyyhave,”irred.ithoughtsuddenlyofthebeardednandjuststoodtherestaringat.

    faridleanedin.“assoonasyoue.”

    “faridjan,thisaybeyoushouldntbeseene.youhaveafalytotakecareof.”

    fariddeaothersandsisters.”hesled.“besides,ididntsayiddoitforfree.”

    “iletyouifyouoffered,”isaid.ifotiuldnt

    sleandtried.atinystreakofbloodtriorefavor”

    “foryouathousandtisover,”faridsaid.

    and,justlikethat,iycheeks,stingingtheraylips.

    “atter”faridsaid,alard.

    iburiedfaonehandandhelduptheother.iker,ifelttired,hollosorry,”isaid.sohrabehafroreasinghisbrow.

    alkagain,itoldfaridkhansaidtheylivehereinpeshawar.”

    “ybeyoushouldes,”faridsaid,eyeingeoff.iscribbledtheiasonascrapofpapertotycaldwell.”

    faridphatooch.”

    butsohrabhadotheruttedbadforthonthesill,pegatrapsofoldbread.

    intheddledraybed,ihadfoundanoldnationalgeographiearlierand,surprisingly,foundthedeckplete.i

    askedsohrabifhetoansaloneplay.hedbeesincewehadfledkabul.

    buthetuedfroheeiknoar.”

    “ifeelsorryforyoualready,becauseiagrapanjpar.worldrenowned.”

    hetookhisseatooolo.idealthiisfivecards.“herandie.especiallyintheer,snogooutside.oplayuntilthesundown.”

    heplayedathepile.istolelooksathisheponderedhiscards.heany,theheeye.

    aybeeveer,”isaid,afterlastloss.“iusedtobeathiotis,butithiean.”

    “iknow.”

    “...didhetellyouaboutus”

    “thatyouhebestfriendheeverhad,”hesaid.

    itondsinfingers,flippeditba,gingerly,butheflinsonlight,foreheadpressedtotheglass,fistsburiedinhisarits.

    aishahadaleassistaakefirststepsthatnight.ioestokeitbaystinears,thinkinghouchissedwife.

    sohrabandiplayedpanjparstoftheday,againiakinga,oingtothebathrooolaterthatnight.idreadassefyhospitalroobrassballstillinhiseyesoytwin.”

    itoldarndearlythatn

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twextdaythatiwasleaving.

    “itsstillearlyfordischarge,”arndprotested.hedressedinsurgicalscrubsthatday,insteadinabuttondoandyelloie.thegelhehair.“youarestillinintravenousantibiotid”

    “ihavetogo,”isaid.“iappree,allofyou.really.butihavetoleave.”

    “whereandsaid.

    “idratheotsay.”

    “youhardlywalk.”

    “iydiyselafeoredaystogetbetter.flyho.

    thatoing.“yourfriends,thisjohnaycaldheyareninpeshawar,”faridsaid.

    ithadtakeesjusttoslipintopirhantuan.,andstoeileanedover.itheeffortofpagafeybelongingsintoabroaogetreadyandeine.

    “heygo”iasked.

    faridshookhishead.“youdontuand”

    “becauserahihansaid”

    “iybag.“thereycaldothepeopleatthensulate,theyneverexisted.nothereinpeshawar,anyhow.”

    o,sohrabhroughthepagesoftheoldnationalgeographic.

    thebank.thenager,apaunoney.

    “absolutelynobody,”hesaidgravely,seandhad.

    drivingthroughpeshauyfears:therearealotofbeardedninpeshaares.

    “do”faridsaid,eslothehospitalatingofficebacktothecar.sohrabs.

    “hetstayinpeshaing.

    “nay,aragha,heysorry.iwishi”

    “thatsallright,farid,”isaid.iiredsle.“youhaveuthstofeed.”adogabadfoow,”isaid.

    isleptthroughalsttheentirefourhourridetoislabad.idreadalot,andstofitionlyreerasahodgepodgeofiges,ssofvisualryflashinginheadlikearinatinglaforthirteenthbirthdayparty.sorayaandikingloveforthefirstti,thesunrisingi,ourearsstillringingfroheusiilapattingsorayaskneeandsaying,godknoaybeiteanttobe.sleepingontheroofoffathershouse.babasayingthattheonlysinthattteredansrighttothetruth.rahihanonthephoellingthereobegoodagain.aobegoodagain...

    tyfour

    ifpeshaindedofabadesoday.thestreetsetrees.thebazaarsanizedandnotnearlyasorede,andisainebloodintheshadorees.

    faridfoundasllhotelonasidestreetrunningaloofthergallahills.ousshahfaisalsqueontheosqueintheis.sohrabperkedupatthesightofthesque,leaoftheituntilfaridtuedaer.

    thehotelrooroveheoneinkabuled,ahroopotless.therepoo,soap,razorsforshaving,abathtub,andtoelledlikelen.andnobloodstainsowosinglebeds.

    “look”isaidtosohrab.itueditonnuallyeahedial.ifoundathe

    tvrefleilyalrewup.

    “illgetgoing,aragha,”faridsaid.

    “staythenight,”isaid.“itsalongdrive.leavetorrow.”

    “tashakor,”hesaid.“butiisschildren.”onhis,hepausedinthedoooattention.justrockedbadforth,hisfacelitbythesilvergloagesflickeringacrossthes.

    outside,igavehinenvelope.outhopened.

    “ididntknoue.”

    “houchisinhere”faridsaid,slightlydazed.

    “alittleoverthousanddollars.”

    “tthecurb,hehoagain.

    iretuedtothehotelroondfoundsohrablyingonthebed,curledupinabigc.hiseyesybedandgricedybrougerittogetup,sitdooeatsolidfood.iiddohthewounded

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twlittleboylyingonthebed,thoughapartofalreadyknew.

    thereandspainpills.theandbitter.ipulledthecurtains,easedselfbathebed,andlaydoychestychestandandspillstowork.

    yheadpounded.idbeendreangagain,butiuldhadbeenabout.

    heartgaveasiyvoiilesfroo,bodybrokeafeeagainandheardnothing.istruggledoutofbed,,lookedinthenarro.hewasgone.

    iloanagersoffiingosontheanagerreadioppedche

    unter.ides,askedifhedseedoustaetropicalfruitiuldntquiteregnize.

    “boys,theyliketorunaround,”hesaid,sighing.“ihavethreeofthealldaytheyarerunningaround,troubliher.”hefannedhisfaceyjaws.

    “idontthirunningaround,”isaid.“andhere.ifraidheghtgetlost.”

    hebobbedhisheadfroidetoside.“thenyoushouldhavekeptaheboy,ster.”

    “iknoifellasleepandasgone.”

    “boysstbeteo,youknow.”

    “yes,”isaid,pulsequiing.hoyapprehensionheshiftedthehefanning.“theybicyow”

    “who”

    “boys,”hesaid.“theyresaying,daddy,daddy,pleasebuyusbicyclesandothere,isoyou.”

    iiginedsohrablyinginaditeetagonthelapelofhisshortsleevebluettonshirt.“.fayyaz,haveyouseenhi

    “theboy”

    ibitdoee.haveyouseenhiot,fodssake”

    thefanningstopped.hiseyesnarroarte,friend.iaottheone.”

    thathehadapointdidnotstopthebloodfroushingtofa”

    “sorry,”hesaidcurtly.heputhisglassesba.snappedhisnehboy.”

    istoodattheunterforaryingnottoscreaasiighthaveo”

    “no,”isaid.ifelttired.tiredandscared.

    “doeshehaveanyis”hesaid.isaple,theyeris,especiallyhthataoldsanegger”

    “thesque”isaid.“thebigsque.”ireeredtheosquehadjoltedsohrabfroisstupor,hooftheit.

    “shahfaisal”

    “yes.ethere”

    “didyouknoosqueintheworld”heasked.

    “no,but”

    “theurtyardalonefitfortythousandpeople.”

    “ethere”

    “itsonlyakiloterfroere,”hesaid.buthetheunter.

    “illpayyoufortheride,”isaid.

    hesighedandshookhishead.“,retuedaninanesaritrailinghishetookhisseatbehier.“idonttakeyourney,”hesaid,bloe.“iafatherlikeyou.”

    ithoughtunderfayyazsreproachfulglare.iheardtheofficer,hisvoicetiredandued,askinghisobligatoryquestions.ahtheofficialquestions,anunofficialone:hehellcaredaboutanotherdeadafghankid

    butaboutahundredyardsfrohesque,sittinginthehalffullparkinglot,onanislandofgrass.fayyazpulleduptotheislanda.“ihavetogetback,”hesaid.

    “thatsfine.wellr.fayyaz.really.”

    heleanedacrossthefrohingtoyou”

    “sure.”

    inthedarkoft,hisfaceapairofeyeglassesreflegthefadinglight.“thethingaboutyouafghanisisthat...tlereckless.”

    iandstochfeltlikebarbedyskin.butistartedtolaughanyway.

    “...youth.

    “inglight.

    “yougaveagoodscare,”isaid.isatbesidehihpainasibent.

    heosque.shahfaisalsqueeandedinandout.eleaningagainstthetree,sohrabo,kohisondinthedark.itlitupthesky,sohrabsface.

    “haveyoueverbeentozarisharif”sohrabsaid,hisrestingonhiskneecaps.

    “alongtiago.idoch.”

    “fathertookthereealongtoo.fatherboughtankeyfrohebazaar.notarealohekindyouhavetobloie.”

    “ighthavehadohosewheniwasakid.”

    “fathertooktothebluesque,”sohrabsaid.“ireerthereanypigeonsoutsidethesjid,andtheyerightuptous.sasagavelittlepiecesofnaanahebirds.soon,thereooi

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twngallaround.thatwasfun.”

    “youstssyourparentsverych,”isaid.ihetalibandraghisparentsoutintothestreet.ihopedhehadnt.

    “doyoussyourparents”heaked,restinghise.

    “doisspareher.fatherdiedafeisshisotisalot.”

    “doyoureerhelookedlike”

    ithoughtofbabasthiberelledliketoo.”

    “itartingtettheirfaces,”sohrabsaid.“isthatbad”

    “no,”isaid.“tidoesthat.”ithoughtofsothing.ilookedinthefrontpoyat.foundthepolaroidsnapshotofhassanandsohrab.“here,”isaid.

    hebroughtthephototothesquefellonit.helookedatitforalongti.ithoughtheghtboveritssurfaeaybeidheardsoonesayit:therearealotofe.

    “keepit,”isaid.“itsyours.”

    “thankyou.”helookedatthephotoagainandstothehorsesnedjingledheachstep.

    “ivebeenthinkingalotaboutsqueslately,”sohrabsaid.

    “youhave”

    heshrugged.“justthinkingaboutthe”heliftedhisfae.hing,aragha”

    “ofurse.”

    “einhellforan”

    ireaandheflin,tellhihe,nottheotherwayaround.

    hisfaesbeegood.”

    “notalways,sohrab.”

    helookedatquestioningly.

    “thenfroanyyearsago,”isaid.“iguessyoufiguredthatoutthatfroheionheandihad.he...hetriedtohurtontrouble,standingupfor.soohebadnhurtyourfatherinstead.hehurthinaverybade.”

    “her”sohrabsaidioanyone.”

    “yht.yourfatheran.butthatstryingtotellyou,sohrabjan.thattherearebadpeopleinthisetisbadpeoplestaybad.sotisyouhavetostanduptotheanisallthoseyearsago.yougavehire.”

    “doyouthinkfatherisdisappointedin”

    “iknoylifeinkabul.iknohat.”

    heedonhislips.heburiedhisfaissfather,aoo,”heisssasaandrahihansahib.butsotisiladtheyrenot...theyrenothereanyre.”

    “.hedrek.

    “bee...iodirty.”hesuckedinhisbreathaoutinalong,sodirtyandfullofsin.”

    “yourenotdirty,sohrab,”isaid.

    “thosen”

    “yourenotdirtyatall.”

    “theydidthings...thebadnaherte.”

    “yourenotdirty,andyourenotfullofsin.”itouedratoaedhisheadonyarheachsob.

    akinshipexistsbetthesabreast.noyshirt,isahassefhadirrevocablyboundus.

    idbeenlookingfortherightti,therightnt,toaskthequestionthathadbeenbuzzingaroundinheadandkeepingupatnight.idecidedthenthere,rightnohthebrightlightsofthehouseofgodshiningonus.

    “eliveinaridwife”

    hedidntansyshirtahi

    foraentioned,asifthequestionhadntbeeall.thenoneday,sohrabanditookataxianekohvieoftheuntain.”persohrabto,bayassortntoffadingbruises.

    tree.itday,thesunperiliessnaosasandpakoras.soeeredfronoldvie,ybepakeeza.kids,nyoftheohrabsage,ansoffice.chesttightenedyuntrynroyingtheirownland.

    “ileandtoldhitportant.

    toyhalfbrothersson,playing

    yhesongendedandanotheroarted,oneididntregnize.

    “look,”sohrabsaid.helesssky.“didntknoabad,”isaid.

    “her,”hesaid,hiseyestragthebirdscircular

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twflight.“dotheyhavethehereyoulive”

    “sanfranany,though.”

    “oh,”hesaid.iore,buthedealtanotherhandandaskedifhisatballsandyuthfilledeofitdrippedfroheeroflips.sohrabhandedanapkinandedabatlips.isledandhesledback.

    “yourfathera.ihadthenightosque,butihadnt.buthehadarighttoknoore.“halfbrothers,really.efather.”

    sohrabstoppedchethesandheeversaidhehadabrother.”

    “thatsbecausehedidntknow.”

    “heknow”

    “noooldhi”isaid.“noooldeither.ijustfoundoutretly.”

    sohrabblinked.likehee,reallylookingat,fortheveryfirstti.“butfatherandyou”

    “youkhatsaquestioherday.andtheresanansnotagoodosjustsaytheydidnttellusbecauseyourfatherandi...supposedtobebrothers.”

    “becausehewasahazara”

    iyeyestostayonhi“yes.”

    “didyourfather,”hebegan,eyeinghisfood,“didyourfatherloveyouandfatherequally”

    ithoughtofalongagodayatgharghalake,selftopathassanontheba,beangastheyrevedthebandagesfroassanslips.“ithinkhelovedusequallybutdifferently.”

    “edoffather”

    “no,”isaid.“ithinkheedofhielf.”

    hepickeduphissanditsilently.

    theheat,buttiredinapleasante.ihadthedriverpulloveratastorethatsoldeone.

    thatnight,thefaithfulalloverthefinland,aguynadayub,askedifhisteenagedsonuldgotohellforofhisunderwearshowed.

    “isaureofsanfrance,”sohrabsaid.

    “really”

    “therehapointytop.”

    “youshouldseethestreets,”isaid.

    “”heenoullahsingeachother.

    “theyresosteep,hehoodofyourdthesky,”isaid.

    “itsoundsse,hisbacktothetv.

    “itisthefirstfees,”isaid.“butyougetusedtoit.”

    “doesitsnohere”

    “no,butalotoffog.youknohatredbridgeyousaw”

    “yes.”

    “sotisthefogissothitheing,allyouseeisthetipoftheth.”

    thereile.“oh.”

    “sohrab”

    “yes.”

    “haveyougivenanythoughttoiaskedyoubefore”

    hissledfaded.herolledtohisback.lacedhishandsunderhishead.thellahsdecidedthatayubssohehaddith.“ivethoughtaboutit,”sohrabsaid.

    “and”

    “itscares.”

    “iknosalittlescary,”isaid,grabbingontothatloosethreadofhope.“butyoullleaenglishsofastandyoullgetusedto”

    “thatshatscarestoo,but...

    “but”

    herolledtoeagain.dreeifyoure”

    istruggledoutofbedandynepheeerandsorayajan,shesaverykindan.trust,shesgoingtoloveyou.iprosethattoo.”icedsothing.reacheddoeholdit.

    “idonttogotoanotherorphanage,”hesaid.

    “iiseyouthat.”iine.“ehoe.”

    histearse.thenhishandsqueezednebadhenodded.henodded.

    theiintheisorayahadbeenupforanhettingreadyforschool.

    “its,”isaid.iybed,gsohrabsleep.

    “ar”shealstscread.“areyouokaywhereareyou”

    “inpakistan.”

    “youcallearlierivebeensickothersprayinganddoingnazreveryday.”

    “iorryididntonth.isled.“andtellkhalajalatostopkillingsheep.”

    “eanfinenoshyourvoice”

    “dontfine.really.soraya,ihaveastorytotellyou,astoryishouldhavetoldyoualongtiago,butfirstiellyouohing.”

    “isit”shesaid,hervoiceloorecautious.

    “iotinghoalone.iringingalittleboye.”ipaused.“i.”

    “”

    iuehelegsofachairdraggedhurriedlyacrossthewoodenfloor.

    “goahead,”shesaid.

    thenididarriage:itoldontsonytis,dreadedit,but,asispoke,ifeltsothingliftingoffethingverysilarthenightofourkhastegari,eaboutherpast.

    bythetiiystory,shewasweeping.

    “doyouthink”isaid.

    “idontknoir.youvetoldsochallatonce.”

    “irealizethat.”

    iheardherblouho.iyouto.”

    “areyousure”isaid,yeyesandsling.

    “asure”shesaid.“ar,hesyourqaoyourfaly,sohesqaooo.ofurseiure.youtleavehiothestreets.”therepause.“shelike”

    ilookedoveratsohrabsleepingonthebed.“hessnkindofway.”

    “an

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twblahishesaid.“i,ar.ireallydo.”

    “soraya”

    “yeah.”

    “dostetdaru”iloveyou.

    “iloveyouback,”shesaid.iuldhearthesleinherareful.”

    “iorething.donttellyourparentsefroe.”

    “okay.”

    wehungup.

    thelaerieassyinislabadoabad:flataertheyjaetal

    deteiledyna.sheanidseenihingotherthanaburqaorashaleez.shelookedupontheappointntlist,tappingtheeraserendofherpenynaandaskedtotakeaseat.

    “elenade”sheasked.

    “nonefor,thanks,”isaid.

    “hoyourson”

    “excuse”

    “thehandsoyoulen,”shesaid,slingatsohrab.

    “oh.thatdbehankyou.”

    sohrabandisatontheblaeriagazinefroheglasstopffeetable.heflippedthepages,notreallylookingatthepictures.

    “”sohrabsaid.

    “sorry”

    “youresling.”

    “ihinkingaboutyou,”isaid.

    hegaveanervoussle.piagazineandflippedthroughitihirtysends.

    “dontbeafraid,”isaid,touyoyseat,untyingayingshoelaonadehitheffeetable.“thereyougo.”

    sohrabsledshyly.“thankyouverych,”hesaidinenglish.itcaoutas“tankyouatch.”ite,thatand“haveaniceday.”

    shelaughed.“youreste.”sheoherdesk,highheelscligonthefloor.

    “haveaniceday,”sohrabsaid.

    rayndandred,eaisérablesposterapoftheu.s.apotoftotoplantsbaskedinthesunonthewindowsill.

    “ske”heasked,hisvoiceadeepbaritohatoddshhisslightstature.

    “nothanks,”isaid,notptypathesadraatoplantsasherubbedlotionintohishands,outh.thenheeyourstory.”

    ifeltlikejeanvaljeansittingajavert.irendedselfthatierie.“ibacktothestatese,”isaid.

    “tellyourstory,”herepeated,crushingaflakeofasholyarrangeddeskhhisindexfinger,fligitintothetrash.

    igavehiheversionihadyheadsinoneyandtopakistan.

    “youaretheboyshalfuncle”

    “yes.”

    hecheckedhisatoplantsonthesill.“kothat”

    “yes,butidontknohereheisnow.”

    hetuedtoandriedtoreadhisfaduldnt.iriedthoselittlehandsofhisatpoker.

    “iassugettingyourjaent,”hesaid.uggedinpeshawar.

    “ofurse,”hesaid.usli

    “yes.”

    “practig”

    “yes.”intruth,ididhelasttiihadlaidforeheadtothegroundinprayer.thenididreer:thedaydr.anigavebabahisprognosis.ihadkheprayerrug,reeringonlyfragntsofversesihadleaedinschool.

    “helpsyouruch,”hesaid,scratgaspotontheflainhissandyhair.

    “ean”iasked.ireaetoandrews.

    “theresalonganssureillendupgivingittoyou.youtheshortonefirst”

    “iguess,”isaid.

    ae,hislipspursed.“giveitup.”

    “iorry”

    “yourpetitiontoadoptthisyoungfelloyadvicetoyou.”

    “dulynoted,”isaid.“noewhy.”

    “thatansyoupassive,opalasifheethestoryyougaveistrue,thoughidbetpensionagooddealofitiseitherfabriitted.notthatiatters.evenso,yourpetitionfacessignifitobstacles,nottheleastofhatthischildisnotanorphan.”

    “ofurseheis.”

    “notlegallyheisnt.”

    “hisparehestreet.theneighborssa,”isaid,gladwewerespeakinginenglish.

    “youhavedeathcertificates”

    “deathcertificatesthisisafghanistanostpeopletheredonthavebirthcertificates.”

    hisglassyeyesdidntsoakethelaragenothstanding,youstilloprovetheparentsaredeceased.theboyhastobedeclaredalegalorphan.”

    “but”

    “yougivingittoyou.youextproblesthatyouheoperationofthebassyinkabul.thatkesthirelyplipossib

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twle.”

    “areyousaying,thatishouldthrobathestreets”isaid.

    “ididntsaythat.”

    “heascaraonhiseyes.

    “iorrytohearthat,”ahsaid.thee,though,ightasaketheinsissuethisyoungfellowavisa.”

    “areyousaying”

    “iayingthatifyouooareputablereliefanization.voluarefugeee,attetingtoadoptafghanchildren.”

    igotup.“eon,sohrab,”isaidinfarsi.sohrabslido,restedhisheadonhip.ireeredthepolaroidofhindhassanstandingthatsaething,.andrews”

    “yes.”

    “doyouhavechildren”

    forthefirstti,heblinked.

    “plequestion.”

    he.

    “ithoughtso,”isaid,takingsohrabshand.“theyoughttoputsooneinyourchaire.

    “iaskyouaquestion”andrealled.

    “goahead.”

    “haveyouprosedthishyou”

    “ifihave”

    heshookhishead.“itsadangerousbusiness,kingprosestokids.”hesighedandopenedhisdeskdraeantopursuethis”hesaid,ruagingthroughpapers.

    “iantopursuethis.”

    heprodugrationlaarfaisalabad.youtellhisentyou.”

    itookthe.“thanks,”ittered.

    “goodluyshoulder.aoplantstolovingly.

    “takecare,”thesecretarysaidaswepassedherdesk.

    “yourbossuldusesonners,”isaid.iexpeaybenodinthat“iknoesincehisdaughterdied.”

    iraisedaneyebrow.

    “suicide,”shewhispered.

    oaxiridebaeabouttheetingbuthedidnt.

    ohersideofthedoorthedity.noostanhhtih,soakinginthesoapydoor.doyoufeelyet,sohrab

    ipassedontosorayaondandree.“sodoyouthink”isaid.

    “othinkheseshehadcalledafeionagehatarraeationaladoptions.shehadfoundohation,butsheilllooking.

    “hostakingthenews”

    “darishappyforus.youknoir,youdonouch.”

    “andyouareyouhappy”

    iheardhershiftingthereceivertoherotherhand.“ithinkaybethatlittleboyoo.”

    “iething.”

    “iknoyselfyselfhelpinghi,theerhadstoppedrunning.iuldhearsohrabinthere,shiftingiub,spillingeroverthesides.

    “yoingtobegreat,”isaid.

    “oh,ialstfoticalledkakasharif.”

    ireeredhieatouikafroseras.“didhesay”

    “eofhisinsbuddies,”shesaid.

    “thatsreallygreatneforyoutoseesohrab.”

    “ittoseeyou,”shesaid.

    ihungupsling.

    sohrabergedfrohebathroofeier.hehadbarelysaidadozeingondaetsationhadonlytonosyllabicreply.hecliedintobed,pulledtheblaohis.inutes,hewassn.

    iirrorandshavedyoinghotyskinshriveledup.ilaytheredrifting,agining...

    orfaisalpledile.histhinninggrayhairissing,soheeetus.“iorry,thecabbiesinthistoellafheytripletheirfares.”

    hepushedthroughthedoor,allslesandapologies,gedinitforanotepadandapologizedforthesheetsofpaperthatspilledonthebed.sittielevisioherontheharriedlaihatfaisalingandhehadnodded,alstaskedsothing,andhadjustgoneonals.

    “hereysorry,probablynotthesortofthingyouyourprospectivelawyer,heh”helaughed.

    “ondandrehinkshighlyofyou.”

    “.aoldabout

    you.”

    “hedid”

    “ohyes.”

    “soyourefaliarysituation.”

    faisaldabbedatthesfaliarpledile.hetuedtosohrab.“thisstbethey

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twourouble,”hesaidinfarsi.

    “thisissohrab,”isaid.“sohrab,thisis.faisal,thelaoldyouabout.”

    sohrabsliddoarfaisal.“salaalayku”hesaidinaloe.

    “alaykualaasohrab,”faisalsaid.“didyoukeragreatwarrior”

    sohrabnodded.cliedbatohisbedandlayonhissidetochtv.

    “ididntknoupinkabul”

    “no,iberofyears.sharenau,hehajiyaghoubsque,”faisalsaid.“igreusieit.”heleanedforock.”

    “groovy,”isaid,andfaisallaughedsohardhestartedsuchit,saveforathingortaybethree.illgiveyoutheunsoredversion.”

    heliir.andhereonout”

    “fine.”

    itoldhiverythingthathadhappeoldhiboutetingkharektokabul,theorphahestoningatghazistadiu

    “god,”hesorry,ihavesueriesofkabul.hardtobelieveitsthesaplaeabout.”

    “haveyoubeentherelately”

    “godno.”

    “itsnotberkeley,illtellyouthat,”isaid.

    “goon.”

    itoldhiherest,theetingeasoberlook.“ir,youvegotatoughbattleaheadofyou.”

    “oneiwin”

    heondandrepossible,buthardlylikely.”goheplayfullookinhiseyes.

    “butitskidslikesohrabethest,”isaid.“theserulesandregulationsdontkeao.”

    “yourepreair,”hesaid.“butthefactis,takecurrentiigrationlaionagencypolicies,andthepoliticalsituationinafghanistan,andthedeckisstackedagainstyou.”

    “ido,”isaid.iething.“iabutido.”

    oodded,hisbroathofadisaster,ahetalibanareadisaster,ar,believeitsalps,orparentsjustabandonthee.happensalltheti.sotheihedefinitionofaneligibleorphan.iorry,iknosoundsridiculous,butyouneeddeathcertificates.”

    “youvebeentoafghanistan,”isaid.“youknoprobablethatis.”

    “iknoeoneinhisorysohisheritagebepreserved.”

    “heritage”isaid.“thetalibaroyediyan.”

    “iorry,iellingyouhoir,”orsaid,touiled.tuedbaentofficesarebusyergencies,andprocessingadoptiooppriority.”

    isighedandrubbedeyes.apoundingheadache.

    “butletssupposethatsohoarsaid,sonhisprotrudingbelly.“itstillyhisadoption.infaoderatesliationsarehesitantanyofthoseuntries,islaclaregnizeadoption.”

    “youretellingtogiveitup”iasked,pressingpaloforehead.

    “igreir.ifariberstoevaluatethechildslieu,andnoreasonableagencyisgoingtosendaoafghanistan.”

    ilookedatsohrabsittingonthebed,gtv,gus.hetingtheherusedto,restingononeknee.

    “iishalfuncle,doesthatuntforanything”

    “itdoesifyousorry,doyouhaveanypapersoranyoneyou”

    “nopapers,”isaid,inatiredvoiyselfdidntfindoutuntilretly.theonlyotherpersonaybedead.”

    “yoptions,or”

    “illbefrank.youdonthavealotofthe”

    “anido”

    orbreathedin,tappedhisanitarianvisa.thatsatthediscretionoftheattoeygeneralanditsnoteasilygiven.”hepaused.“thereisaion,probablyyourbestshot.”

    “”isaid,leaningforward.

    “youuldrelinquishhioanorphanagehere,thenfileanorphaion.startyouri600forndyourhostudye.”

    “arethose”

    “iorry,the1600isaninsforlity.thehostudyisdoheadoptionagenarsaid.“its,youknoakesureyouandyourravinglunatics.”

    “idontisedhibacktoanorphanage.”

    “likeisaid,itybeyourbestshot.”

    ingredniusinthearsehoaoslideinbehindtheir”

    “yes.”

    “ianttotellyouinthere,aboutyouretryingtodoithinkitsprettygreat.”

    heande.

    sohrabhadtuedoffthetv.isatontheedgeofm

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twybed,askedhiosito.“.faisalthinksthereisaericae,”isaid.

    “hedoes”sohrabsaid,slingfaintlyforthefirsttiindays.“anwego”

    “ighttakealittleyhandonthebaoutside,thecalltoprayerblaredthroughthestreets.

    “howlong”sohrabasked.

    “idontknow.awhile.”

    sohrabshruggedandsled,e.“idontnd.i.itslikethesourapples.”

    “sourapples”

    “oi,bedatreeahesegreen,sourapples.stoothersaidthatifidjustesieershesaidabouttheapples.”

    “sourapples,”isaid.“shallah,yourejustaboutthesrtestlittleguyiveevert,sohrabjan.”hisearsreddenedhablush.

    “etothatredbridgetheohefog”hesaid.

    “absolutely,”isaid.“absolutely.”

    “andhosestreets,theoneshehoodofthedthesky”

    “everysingleohe”isaid.eyesstungaway.

    “isenglishhardtolea”

    “isay,hinayear,youllspeakitaswellasfarsi.”

    “really”

    “yes.”iplacedafingerunderhis,tuedhisfaceuptohereisoherthing,sohrab.”

    “”

    “r.faisalthinksthatiteforkidsforawhile.”

    “hoforkids”hesaid,hisslefading.“youananorphanage”

    “ittlewhile.”

    “no,”hesaid.“no,please.”

    “sohrab,itise.”

    “youprosedyoudihoseplaces,aragha,”hesaid.hisvoiceearspoolinginhiseyes.ifeltlikeaprick.

    “thisisdifferent.itabad,notinkabul.andidvisityouallthetiuntilerica.”

    “pleaseplease,no”heseidonttogo.”

    “nooneisgoingtohurtyou.noteveragain.”

    “yestheyheybuttheylie.theylieplease,god”

    iythu.“sourapples,reeritsjustlikethesourapples,”isaidsoftly.

    “noitsnot.notthatplaixingonhisface.

    “shhh.”ipulledhiaroundhisshakinglittlebody.“shhh.itllbeallright.etogether.youllsee,itllbeallright.”

    hisvoiiseyou”

    hoiseiheldhigainst,heldhiightly,androbles.iuntilhisbreathingsloeeredsothingihadreadsoeago:thatshohterror.theyfallasleep.

    idoyoabad.

    theskysleep.irubbedeyesahebedsidela.itostthreehours.ipickedupthephone.“hello”

    “erica.”.fayyazsboredvoice.

    “thankyou,”isaid.thebathrooightakinghisnightlybath.aupleofclidthensoraya:

    “salaashesoued.

    “hoeetinggohthelawyer”

    itoldherarfaisalhadsuggested.“aboutit,”shesaid.“odothat.”

    isatup.“raiwhy,sup”

    “iheardbaadeafeebaanitarianvisa.”

    “nokidding”isaid.“ohthankgodgoodolsharifjan”

    “ikoapplyforanadoptioion.”

    “itsreallygoingtohappen,soraya,huh”

    “itlookslikeit,”shesaid.shesoundedhappy.itoldherilovedherandshesaidshelovedback.ihungup.

    “sohrab”iybed.“ihavegreatnedoor.“sohrabsorayajanjustcalledfroalifoia.eerica”

    ipushedthedooropen.steppedintothebathroo

    suddenlyiyknees,syythroatychestexplode.

    later,theysaidiingbulancearrived.

    tyfive

    theyein.

    iseethehroughasetofdoubledoorsandifolloellofiodineandperoxidehits,butallihavetitoseeistenaningreenhuddlinguey.ayall,bloodyfeetpokeoutfrohesheetahatthebigtoenailofootis.“youstebacktotheenssurgicalcapsthroughthedoorsnarroangularwindows.

    heleavesiallieerthelasttiifeltthisyselffrohisplaidsueightanddissolvesohere,legsbloyluyofair,throatbuing.thereyeyesandnostrilsfillellsof

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.twtherridor,snia,rubbingalholandothsflingtheelvesatthedullgraylighttubesrunningthelengthoftherridorahepaperyflappingoftheirutedsobbing,sniffling,sooneaning,sooneelsesighing,elevatordoorsopeningeoneinurdu.

    iopeneyesagainandikajayears.thereisadarklittlesupplyroooleft.init,ifindthepileoffoldedlinensandaherestrooitakethenurseselboyeyesstinganistheones.

    ithroykeshiftjainaz,prayerrug,ontheflooraonknees,loyforeheadtotheground,tearssoakingthroughthesheet.iboeerihaventprayedforoverfifteenyears.ihavelongfotteer,ieer:laiflahaiiallah,haadurasulullah.thereisnogodbutallahandhaadishisssenger.iseenohere,intheeyesofthepeopleinthisrridorofdesperation.thisistherealhouseofgod,thisis,nottheasjidondlightsandtoihereisagod,therehastobe,andnoalloftheseyears,fivethatihavebetrayed,lied,andsinnedpunityonlytotutohioyhourofneed,ipraythatheisasrittoryeverylastagetothatseverydayfrohisdayonifheonlygrantsthisoaihebloodofhisboytoo.

    ihearaperingandrealizeitisne,lipsaresaltyyfaeandstilliboysinshavenotcaughtupetheheywould.

    astarless,blaabad.itsafesittingnene;apakistagazineilinghollyaneezandae.everyoyuythroatg.

    ineedair.

    igetupaheingthroughthesellsofoverripedatesanddung.iffeelinginegazineandflipthroughthepages.butientfloor,atthebeet,atthedeadflieslitterihesillhaventheardanynews.

    thefloorbehbeginstofeellikepartofbody,ahingisgroyeyesandlieheaddoaybei:thethefauerazorihadshavedorethananything.itettheeyes.

    soon,sleepesaake.idreafthingsitreerlater.

    sooappingontheshoulder.iopehereisankneelingbeside.heisenbehindthesaskoverhisuthheartsinksask.hehastapedapiaskandiladidonthavetolookatsohrabsbloodanyre.hisskinisdarkliketheiortedsthebazaarinsharenau;hehasthinninghairandhazeleyestoppedehisnaisdr.nathisn,bee.hesaystheboyhadyuthbeginstotterthatprayeragain:

    laillahailallah,haadurasulullah.

    theyhadtotransfuseseveralunitsofredcellshoellsoraya

    tiaz,i.

    theyifhishearthadntbeenyoungandstrong

    i.

    heisalive.

    dr.takesanttisterorebutidonthearhibeuptofaall,atyhandsandhesaysnothingnos.

    theinteorsandaes.dr.edbyeplasticcurtains.sohrabsbedisthelastonearouheoneneare

    ...

    台湾小说网  www.192.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twsttheationingplastibhesanunessanghtfeelsendsafterhehassarandbarelyavoidedaheadonllision.

    idozeoff,and,ilkskythroughthe,aishadooved.

    “youddoesleep,”anursesaysto.idheresthavebeenashiftgeetoanother

    louhisooutsidetheidiately.

    idreaaa.hetakesoffhispapersk,hishandssuddenlyeered,hisnailsnicured,hehas

    lypartedhair,andiseeheisnotdr.naondandrebassynatoes.andreockshishead.narrowshiseyes.

    ii,thehospitalazeofteeng,angledhalletokoknoensroonthatsafloordandyouhadtoraourshoulderintoittoopenit.ioingshifteone.ikeptvigilatsohrabsbedsideiiandyshoeheelscligoiles,thinkingofiosohrabheicu,bytheilatorbesidehisbed,andidbenoclosertoknowing.

    afterthreedaysinthei.ihadgonebaesleepandeossingaroundinbedallnight.intheing,itriedtonotlookatthebathtub.iteonehadatsonthefloor,andsloselfintotheer,lyingthereforahislastthoughthadbeenashehadraisedthebladeandbroughtitdown.

    ianager,.fayyaz,askingforyoutoleavehotel,please.thisisbadforbusiness,verybad.”

    itoldhiuoodahethreedaysidspentatthehospital.ingforacaboutsidethehotellobby,ithoughtaboutethatnight,butnoost

    inthecab,iaskedthedriverifhekerssouth.oppedthereohehospital.

    sohrabsneloredoldings,andglazedtilesthatghthaveoncebeehenurses,hadbrokenhislegwhen

    hehadslippedofftheroofofavingbus.hisleg,raisedandheldbytongsstrappedtoseverals.

    sohrabsbedoingsunlightstreangthroughthereedsee.theguardtippedhishateaheroo

    sohrabasandlyingonhisback,blapulledtohischest,facetuedtothee,thenlookeda,andthere.

    “howareyou”isaid.

    hedidntansbingupthetierlattice.ahandfulofkidsinutesagoahinksyoullbedischargedinaupleofdays.thatsgoodnews,nay”

    agaibysilenstirredinhissleepahing.“ilikeyourroo”isaid,tryingnottolookatsohrabsbandagedoreainutespassed,andalightsedonbroyupperlip.ipoiheuntouchedboething.gainyourquetohelpyou”

    heheldglanahihadboughtatthepersianbookstore.ituedtheversoitfacedsohrab.“iusedtoreadthistoyourfatheregranate...”itrailedoff.sohrabile.“yourfathersfavoriteand

    ...

    小说站  www.xsz.tw台湾小说网  www.192.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twsohrabandthatshoe,ik.hat”

    sohrab,theohebruise.

    iflippedtothepageihadbentiaxiselfanddisveredthatihaddees.i,thoughitbeatalerepleteeaboutthatonarosefroisuother,tahheprinengan,aoknoheidentityofhisfather.iclosed

    thebook.“doyouetogoontherearebattlesingup,reersohrableadinghisartotheecastleiniranshouldireadon”

    heshookhisheadsloorrow.howdoyoufeel”

    sohrabsuthopenedandahoarsesoundcaout.dr.ofthebreathingtubetheyhadslidthroughhisvocalrds.helickedhislipsandtriedagain.“tired.”

    “iknohatobeexpected”hewasshakinghishead.

    “,sohrab”

    hehathuskyvoice,barelyaboveahing.”

    isighedandsluedinefroheothersideofitarblesullahbeltedouttheeveningazanandalirdoirunkofbabas.

    hegaveaslohing,”herepeated.

    “e.”

    “iyoldlifeback,”hebreathed.

    “oh,sohrab.”

    “ikhansahibinthegarden.iacrosshiseyes.“iyoldlifeback.”

    ididntknoyhands.youroldlife,ithought.oldlifetoo.iplayedinthesayard,sohrab.ilivedinthesahouse.butthegrassisdeadandastrangersjeepisparkedinthedriveenoe.

    “itgiveyouthat,”isaid.“i”

    “pleasedontsaythat.”

    “eintheer.”

    “donteversaythat,sohrab,”isaid,leaningforbeartohearyoutalklikethat.”itouchedhisshoulderandheflinched.drewaway.i

    droppedhand,reeringruefullyhoyprosetohiehadfinallybeeateaseytoutotellyou.youhaveavisatogotoariyise.”

    hesighedthroughhisnoseandaybehangoingbaiseideyou.butthatsoveryprofoundlysorry.iaskforyourbakhshesh,yiveness.ee”idroppedvoice.“ee”

    asiyndflashedbaifhee.noicrospe,theoneyhiness.ideservedthis.

    sohrabrolledtohisside,hisbae.andthen,justasithoughtheghthavedriftedtosleep,hesaidsokhasta.”soverytired.isatbyhisbeduntilhefellasleep.sothiiletingarfaisal,alightofhopehadbeguersohrabseyeslikeatidguest.noiledagain.hoe.ifever.

    soilefttheroondostayearherword.

    intheend,sohrabneveraeued,heelesshazaraorphan.oreofaquietsurrender,notsoentbyoooeandarions.

    andsoit,blaafghanistantoarioilanddroppinghinaturilofuainty.

    oneday,ybearound1983or1984,iont.ie,sippingkefro7elevenagnifiesbuandrobertvaughn.”hegaveapinan,”hesaid,shakinghisheadandtteringsothingasheeriov

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.twie,andifyoudo,youadetoapologizeprofuselyforhavihesinofspoilingtheend.

    inafghanistan,theendingattered.ehoafteratyriadofbabasfriendssendandthirdusinsllinginandoutofthehousefindhappinessdidthebaedtowallowinfailure

    herehappitheend,theyedtoknow.

    ifsooodayeendshhappiness,iknotosay.

    doesanybodys

    afterall,lifeisnotahindivie.zendagigzara,afghansliketosay:lifegoeson,unndfulofbeginning,end,kaab,nahkaovingforycaravanofkochis.

    iatteroflastsundaystinyracle.

    onthsago,onadayinaugust2001.sorayapiyneissedher.“yourestilltheingsuntoyelda,”iwhispered.

    “”

    “nevernd.”ikissedherear.

    after,shekoeyeleveliledathi“sataasohrabjan,iourkhalasoraya.weveallbeeningforyou.”

    lookingatherslingatsohrab,hereyestearingoveralittle,ihadagliseofthethersheghthavebeen,hadherobrayedher.

    sohrabshiftedonhisfeetandlookedaway.

    sorayahadtuedthestudyupstairsintoabedrooorsohrab.sheledhinaontheedgeofthebed.thesheetsshoadeinscriptionsontheeasureachildsgrootive,aerlorset.

    sohrabsihadboughthinislabadjustbeforepingshoulders.thelorstillhadntseepedbatohisface,saveforthehaloofdarkcirclesaroundhiseyes.hepassive.

    sorayaaskedifhelikedhisroondinoticedthatsheryingtoavoidlookingathissandthathereyeskeptsothosejaggedpinklines.sohrablohighsandsaidnothing.

    thenhesilylayhisheadonthepilloier,sorayaandithedoorway,hewassn.

    ,ilayaniaiintheddleofthenight,islidoutofbedand.istoodoverhilookihingprotrudingfronderhispillokhanspolaroid,theoneihadgiventosohrabthenightilingliketheplace.iaringatthephoto,tuingitinhishands.

    ilookedatthephoto.yourfatherakhanhadsaidinhisletter.ihadbeeledhalf,thesoatehalf,theunbodintofbabasguilt.ilookedathassan,shoissingfroh,sunlightslantingonhisfaostsecretrecessesofhisheart,babahadthoughtofashistrueson.

    islippedthepicturebackething:thatlastthoughthadbroughtnostingiddleofthenight.

    thegeneralandkhalajalaondtoppedghoutshehadbroughtfordessert.shesaed.“shallahsorayajantoldushoorehandsoinperson,sohrabjan.”shehandedhiblueturtleneckser.“ikhisforyou,”shesaid.“foexter.inshallah,ityou.”

    sohrabtookthesher.

    “hello,youngn,”ightstudyabizarrederativeitetsooneshouse.

    iansilasquestionsaboutinjuriesidaskedsorayatotellthehadbeenggedreassurihatihadnoperdage,thattheeoutinafeysfadefaster.

    thegeneralandisatinthelivingroondsippedothersetthetable.itoldhiboutkabulaalibaenedandnodded,hisanihadspottedsellinghisartifiandassef.heaskedaboutrahihan,hesaidhehadtinkabulafees,andshookhisheadsolelyofrahihansillness.butashiseyesdriftingagainandagaintosohrabsleepingon

    theuch.asifingaroundtheedgeofhereallyedtoknow.

    theskirtingfinallycatoanendoverdinnerirjan,yoingtotellusbackthisboyhyou”

    “iqbaljanilasaid.

    ”unitysperily.people”

    sorayadroppedherspoon.tuedoher.“youtellthe

    “itsokay,soraya,”isaid,takingherhand.“itsokay.generalsahibisquiteright.peoplewillask.”

    “ar”shebegan.

    “itsallright.”ituedtothegeneral.“yousee,generalsahib,fathersleptasonnadhassan.

    ...

    栗子网  www.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twhassanisdeadnoynephesyoutellpeopleheyask.”

    theye.

    “ahing,generalsahib,”isaid.“youashazaraboyinpresence.hehasanaanditssohrab.”

    noonesaidanythingforthereiheal.

    itosaysohrabeknobonlife.

    silenceispushingtheoffbutton.shuttingitdo.

    sohrabssilenceposedsilehoseunder.

    hedidntso,likeheabookandrealizesohrabhadeheroohadsata,andihadntnoti.stly,heslept.

    sohrabssileningpseofbookssittingunopehearked,thejigsabled,eainderofadreahatyosforsohrab.

    ber,theteyelessaneriflagstickerontheacrdioherfeet.

    sooheattaovedin,aalibansazarisharif.eeraedayeidkarzaiscaraculhatandgreenchapanbecafaus.

    sohrabsleephroughitall.

    sorayaahinganythingtofillthesilenedkabir,afhanaassadortosofia,allsurgianager,sorayaanager.ispentstofdaysiudy,eilingpeoplearoundtheyselfthatbringingsohrabherehadbeentherightthingtodo.

    theyeareheuehelastonehadended.insilence.

    then,fourdaysago,onaolrainydayinrch2002,asll,hinghappened.

    itooksoraya,khalajala,andsohrabtoagatheringofafghansatlakeelizabethparkihegeneralhadfinallybeensuooafghanistahbeforeforanistryposition,andhadfloilatojoinhihsoncehehadsettled.shessedhierriblyandhishealththereandedshestayhusforawhile.

    thepreviousthursday,thefirstday,hadbeentheafghannehesahebayareahadplannedcelebrations

    throughouttheeastbayandthepeninsula.kabir,soraya,andihadanadditionalreasontorejoice:ourlittlehospitalihesurgiit,justthepediatriic.butitart,weallagreed.

    ithadbeensunnyfordays,butsundaying,asisylegsoutofbed,iheardraindropspeltingtheoingnazphletihadobtainedfrohesqueaheversesaturallynolessly.

    ountedonsixpolesspikedtotheground.soonerosefroeailedalittleasthefourofusrushedailaintheddle,sohrabbehindus,thehoodofhisyelloboungonhisback.

    “ssofunny”sorayasaid,holdingafoldedneeroverherhead.

    “youan,butyouttakepaghnoutofafghans,”isaid.

    akeshifttent.sorayaandkhalajaladriftedtspinaont,thensteppedbaba.e,thequeriesaboutouradoptedanddecidedlyetric

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw小说站  www.xsz.tw栗子网  www.lizi.twlittleboyhadrcifullyceased,and,nsiderihatpathy,theirslouteoheyhadothebackground.

    ishookhandsall,silverhairedrodueheretiredteaerarchitect,asurgeonrespectfully.inoneensaidianforafather.

    aybethanklessjobkarzaihadinfrontofhiabouttheupingloyajirga,andthekingsiiretutohisholandafterteeredthenightin1973,thenightzahirshahsusihre;ireeredguheskylightingupsilveralihadtakenandhassaninhisar,toldusnottobeafraid,thattheyshootingducks.

    thensoooldallahnasruddinjokeandantoo,”kabirsaid.

    “heiling,reeringhoblingaboutariflies.hedsitatthekit

    tablee,”hedgroan.hoiledattherynow.

    bythreeoeonelightedalinabarbeellofgarliysehereusieptybattingcage.

    alittleersurgeon,eheandbabahadbeenysleeve.“ar,look”

    sheingtothesky.ahalfdozenkitesyellothegraysky.

    “esheastandnearby.

    “holdthis,”isaid.igaveyselfandyshoessquishingontheubabrak,”thekitesellersaid,takihekiteandaandahappyhuandforefingerandpullingit.itreddenediled.isledback.

    itookthekitetoscrossedonhischest.hethesky.

    “doyoulikethesehpartheskyto,tothekite,thenback.afehishair,doe.

    “ireadostrue.iotslippingyouatrib.“nothinghthetareither.”

    outoftheerofeye,isathetent.handstenselyduginherarits.unlike,shedgraduallyabandoetsatengaginghitheunanssohrab.ing.

    iyindexfingeraup.“ireertheyfinger.“,ithink.”

    sohrabhisearlobeandshiftedonhisfeet.saidnothing.ithoughtofsorayaaskihsagoeeranyre.

    “didievertellyouyourfatheradetheneighborhoodkids.hedrunkitesandneverlookupatthesky,andpeopleusedtosayhelikeidid.yourfatherchasinganyshado...knew”

    anotherhalfdozenkiteshadtakenflight.peoplehadstartedtogatherinclus,teacupsinhand,eyesgluedtothesky.

    “doyoueflythis”isaid.

    sazeboune.backtothesky.

    “okay.”ishrugged.“lookslikeillhavetoflyittanhaii.”solo.

    ibalahandandfedaboutthreefeetoftar.theyelloedaheendofit,justabovethegrass.“lastce,”isaid.butsohrabapairofkitestanglinghighabovethetrees.

    “allright.hereigo.”itookoffrunning,sneakerssplashingrainpuddles,thehandyhead.ithadbeensolong,sonyyearssinyself.iletthespoolrollihandasirahestring.istoppedandtued.lookedup.sled.highabove,kite,kingthatoldpaperbirdflappingitsoingsinkabul.ihadntfloerushingback.

    ifeltapreseoandlookeddoe.

    “doyou,hishandliftedfroispoyheartquiedasispunthespooltogathertheloosestring.w

    ...

    栗子小说    m.lizi.tw栗子网  www.lizi.tw台湾小说网  www.192.twestoodquietlysidebyside.necksbentup.

    aroundus,kidseoneoviesoundtraelledofoke,andgrilledat.ieandstill.

    thenisapany.agreenkiteus.hehadaandsled.waved.ik.

    sohrabe.

    “areyousure”isaid,takingit.

    hetookthespoolfroe.

    “okay,”isaid.“letsgivehisabagh,tea.theglassy,vatlookiedbeteandthegreenone.hisfacetleflushed,hiseyessuddenlyalert.atenthat,despiteeverything,heilljustachild.

    thegreenkiteakingitsve.“letsgetalittlee,”isaid.

    thegreenkitedregoingtoshohersfavoritetricks,theoldliftanddive.”

    o,sohrabs,thetendonsinhisseredyeyes.itsprinkledsoundlesslyfrohebrananleg.

    thegreenkitehovereddiresohrabtoourkite.

    thegreenkitehesitated.heldposition.thenshotdoes”isaid.

    ididitperfeygripandtuggedoring,dippinganddodgingthegreenkite.aseriesofquited.iuldalstfeelourstringsaostheardthesnap.

    then,justlikethat,thegreerol.

    behindus,peoplecheered.lesandapplausebrokeout.ieihadfeltarushlikethising.

    ilookeddoouthhadcurledupjustso.

    asle.

    lopsided.

    hardlythere.

    butthere.

    behindus,kidspering,andaleekiterunnersileithadbeenthere.ihadseenit.

    “doyouetorunthatkiteforyou”

    hisadaappleroseandfellashesnod.

    “foryou,athousandtisover,”iheardselfsay.

    thenituedandran.

    itile,nothididntkeeverythingallright.itdidhingallright.onlyasle.atinything.aleafintheheartledbirdsflight.

    butilltakeit.s.beaybeijustelting.

    iran.agroanrunningchildren.butididntcare.iranyfadasleasylips.

    iran.

    :五月雨整理

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