Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/240

 One day I came home and found a note; he had left with another boy … said he was in love this time for sure … Funny, huh? It wasn't funny for me. I was absolutely lost … miserable … Three weeks later he came back and wanted to start all over again, but the love I had for him was gone. I couldn't see him, and still, deep in my heart I wanted him so bad …

"I've just gotten over that. I still think of him but, when I found out he was using dope, I was through. I've done things I'm not too proud of … but some things I'll never do. I'll forget him, for he made our love ugly, repulsive. There's bound to be someone else I keep telling myself. Someone who will give me a clean companionship … Sure, I could love you, Gay … Who couldn't love you. You're the sweetest boy I've ever met. And ‘you all's' from Texas. Maybe I'd better go to Texas for a while, huh?

"You'll write to me, won't you? I want you to … Don't let this be a one night affair. It isn't to me … I want to be your friend, Gay. If you have troubles and would like to tell them to me, I'll do my best to help you … Write them to me …

"And be careful who you go out with. I should give you this advice, shouldn't I? But see … I could have been nasty. I could have been a plain-clothesman. I could have hurt you … You could have hurt me too. We both took a chance … Don't take too many chances … Be careful who you go out with … who you give your love to … for … whoever or whatever you love, love is beautiful … Remember that."

Between the white sheets, Gaylord propped his legs. With his eyes still closed, he repeated the words just heard: "Whoever or whatever you love is beautiful …"

Bob. The name lingered after he opened his eyes … Bob, he thought, and his flesh tingled. I'm going to see Bob today. I can be with Bob.

An hour later, a tired but happy Gaylord walked lazily into his school room. He sat at his desk, watching Joy walk up the aisle, her hips softly moving. It was the first time he had seen her since that afternoon.

"Hello, Gay," she said simply. 230