Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/183

 city. He had a fleeting impulse to yell at the man, but instead he only grinned and walked down the steps. Gosh, everyone was so friendly.

He wished Glenn Rogers could have come with him. He certainly would have gotten a big kick out of all this. Poor Glenn; he had wanted to come so bad. His father had been so mean when he had asked. What difference would a couple of days make? Couldn't he vaccinate his old cattle when they got back? Oh, no. It had to be today … Not three days from now but today. Glenn's father had been firm in his reply. He would not give in to Gaylord's pleading.

Glenn had been right. He did have a selfish old bastard for a father. Never even said he wished Rogers could go. Never even thanked Gaylord for asking. In fact, he had looked as if he was mad. Right then and there, Gaylord decided he didn't give a damn if he ever saw Mr. Rogers again. How different his father was. How good and thoughtful his dad was.

He felt of the wallet in his hip pocket, making sure it was still there. Inside it were four ten dollar bills; his dad had given him two of the bills right after dinner, saying, "Here's a little change … go out and spend it all tonight if you want to. If that's not enough … there's some more where those came from. But be careful son … There's a lot of cheap people here in New Orleans … men and women who will do almost anything for money, so don't flash it around too much. People have been killed over a few dollars … and this town is full of highjackers and pickpockets … so just be careful … but have a good time. Don't take up with anyone unless you think they're o.k., and I think you can judge people … Just be careful …"

He left the front of the hotel and walked down Rue Royal toward the brilliant lights of Canal Street. It felt funny to be walking on the uneven sidewalk again. He remembered the time he and his parents had walked down it years ago. Remembered how he felt. He stopped and looked about. For a moment he longed for Blake or Rogers … Either one … but his courage came back as he started down the street again.

A car passed quite close to him, almost touching him.

It was good to be among people, to have perfect strangers pass close to him. He did not shy from them as they passed, as he did in 173