Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/134

 even cows out of mud … Seemed like there was always a fence down and I just hated fixing fences. I'd rather do almost anything than fix fences … We had a nice place … you could go fishing or hunting … I'm going to miss it … It was fun to hunt and fish."

"I bet it was."

"But I sure used to get lonesome sometimes. Only my horse to talk to." He let out a chuckle. "I'm glad he didn't talk back to me. He did about everything but that. I'm going to miss him. He sure took me lots of places." He looked at Gaylord who had just yawned. "Damn, Gay … why didn't you tell me to shut up?"

Gaylord was taken aback. "Shut up? Why?"

"I've been blowing off like a wind-bag … You're not interested in fishing or hunting …"

"You have not and I have enjoyed listening to you."

"I've never blabbed so much in my life. Guess I'm taking it all out on you. You think I'm full of hot air, huh, Gay?"

"'Course not. I've enjoyed hearing about your home and what all you've done. I'd like to know about what you like to do. I only wish I could have done them. I sort of envy you."

"Envy me: With all you've got. This good-looking convertible and everything? Hell, you don't envy me," he grinned. "I should envy you."

Gaylord straightened up with a motion like a ballet dancer; then, he sat very still studying Rogers through long lashes that were longer than most girls'.

So, he said to himself, yes, I've had it easy. I've been called names all my life … been pushed and made fun of too many times … I've never been hunting and a horse would scare me to death. But you have. You've done all these things. You've never been called names … You haven't laid in bed and cried yourself to sleep because some boy had kicked you. No, the kick didn't hurt, it was the way he did it … the sneer on his face, the names he called. Don't ever envy me, Glenn …

"I've had it pretty tough, sometimes, Glenn. I've had a lot and still I've had nothing."

"You were thinking of something," Rogers almost whispered. "Something unpleasant … What, Gay?" 124