"Joyce Carol Oates - Give Me Your Heart" - читать интересную книгу автора (Oates Joyce Carol)

GIVE ME YOUR HEART
JOYCE CAROL OATES




D
ear Dr. K——,

It’s been a long time, hasn’t it! Twenty-three years, nine months and eleven
days.

Since we last saw each other. Since you last saw, “nude” on your
naked knees, me.

Dr. K——! The formal salutation isn’t meant as flattery, still less as
mockery-please understand. I am not writing after so many years to beg an
unreasonable favor of you (I hope), or to make demands, merely to inquire
if, in your judgment, I should go through the formality, and the trouble, of
applying to be the lucky recipient of your most precious organ, your heart. If
I may expect to collect what is due to me, after so many years.

I’ve learned that you, the renowned Dr. K——, are one who has
generously signed a “living will” donating his organs to those in need. Not
for Dr. K——an old-fashioned, selfish funeral and burial in a cemetery, nor
even cremation. Good for you, Dr. K——! But I want only your heart, not
your kidneys, liver or eyes. These, I will waive, that others more needy will
benefit.

Of course, I mean to make my application as others do, in medical
situations similar to my own. I would not expect fa-voritism. The actual
application would be made through my cardiologist. Caucasian female of
youthful middle age, attrac-tive, intelligent, optimistic though with a
malfunctioning heart, otherwise in perfect health. No acknowledgment
would be made of our old relationship, on my part at least. Though you,
dear Dr. K——, as the potential heart donor, could indicate your own
preference, surely?

All this would transpire when you die, Dr. K——, I mean.
 Of course! Not a moment before.

(I guess you might not be aware that you’re destined to die soon?
Within the year? In a “tragic”-”freak”-accident as it will be called? In an
“ironic”-”unspeakably ugly” end to a “brilliant career”? I’m sorry that I can’t
be more specific about time, place, means; even whether you’ll die alone,
or with a family member or two. But that’s the nature of accident, Dr. K——.
It’s a surprise.)

Dr. K——, don’t frown so! You’re a handsome man still, and still vain,
despite your thinning gray hair which, like other vain men with hair loss,