《Grandma's Jumpman 》作者：- Robert Reed【EPUB】

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Grandma’s JumpmanROBERT REEDSomeone’s wasting fireworks—that’s what I’m thinking.I’m out by the road just playing and I hear all these pops and bangs coming from the west. It’s themiddle of the day bright and hot and what’s the point in shooting fireworks now Someone sure isstupid I’m thinking. Then comes this big old whump that I feel through the hard ground. I drop all mysoldiers and climb out of the ditch looking west watching a black cloud lifting. That’s over by the oldprison camp isn’t it I’m trying to guess what’s happening and that’s when he tries sneaking up on me.But I hear him first. I turn around fast and catch him staring at me. Grandma’s ugly old jumpie.His name is Sam. At least that’s what it is now and he’s not a bad sort. For being what he is.“Did I startle you Timmy” he asks. “I’m sorry if I caught you unaware.”“You didn’t” I tell him.He says “Good.”“I’m watching the fireworks” I tell him.“Fireworks” He gives the black cloud a look then says “I think you’re mistaken.” His voice is madeinside a box sewn into his neck and the words come out soft and slow. Sam doesn’t sound human buthe doesn’t sound not-human either. If you know what I mean. He’s been here for thirty years and that’sa long time to practice talking. He’s one of the prisoners—a genuine war criminal—but he lives up here inhis own little house. He helps Grandma with the farm and after so long people almost seem to trust him.I don’t trust him. I watch him as he watches the black cloud both of us thinking that maybe it’s notfireworks.“Something’s happening” Sam says. He’s not big not even for a jumpie. And he’s old fat gray hairsshowing in the red ones his long face and forearms halfway to white. “They’re probably detonating oldammunition. That’s all.” He waits a moment then tells me “Perhaps you should stay near the house forthe time being.”“You can’t boss me” I warn him. I won’t let him boss me.“You’re right” he says. “It’s not my place.” Then he says “Do it for your grandmother please. Youknow how she worries.”There comes a second whump followed by two more.And Sam forgets about me. His big eyes stare at the new clouds then he shakes his tongue and starts forGrandma’s house. He doesn’t say another word walking slowly