Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/130

 face like a cloud around a cliff on top of a mountain. Gaylord saw nothing, but his soul was as happy as the young boys' on the porch.

He stuck a playful thumb into Rogers's ribs. "Come on, Glenn … Well … what?" he challenged.

Rogers tried to grin … "Well … your name sounds pretty … and you're pretty … I mean good-looking."

Gaylord giggled with delight. "I didn't know you cared, Glenn."

"Oh, hell," blushed Rogers, giving his companion's shoulder a slap. "You know what I mean." The dimples formed deep. "You are good-looking, Gay … I heard some girl say so this morning."

"You're kidding me."

"I'm not either … she said she wished that good-looking Gaylord Le Claire would ask her for a date sometime …"

"Who was she?"

"I don't know her name but she was sure pretty. She wasn't the only one either. Another one with her said she wished you'd ask her for a date."

"You should talk … those girls have you spotted too. One told me she thought you were so cute."

"Oh, hell."

"Really. I feel sorry for you in a couple of weeks. They'll pester the hell outa ya. You are cute, Glenn." The words came free and easy. Gaylord glanced at Rogers and noticed for the first time that his left eyebrow was crowned with a faint scar. "Glenn, what caused that scar over your eye?"

"Calf kicked me."

"Here I thought you were a good cowboy."

"Calf was better than me." Rogers glanced at Gaylord and when he spoke laughter bubbled up through his voice. "Got away too." Gaylord brought one hand up and stroked his hair without thinking. "I don't see how anyone can rope."

"It's not hard. ‘Course it takes lots of practice." Pointing, he added, "That's the dance hall over there, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It used to be the South Side school. I used to go to it. 'Course it wasn't there then. They moved it here a couple of years ago. I sure was glad when I got transferred to the North Side. It was closer to home and the teachers were so much better and the 120