Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/244

, with Blake's name on his lips, reached even higher; stretched greedily for the beams so high above him.

"Good, Le Claire … that's good … keep it up …" cried the instructor …

After a shower, Gaylord walked back to his locker. He walked over the wet floor at a normal pace.

"Hi, Jack," he said, slapping a naked buttock belonging to a boy bending over a stool tying his shoe.

"Hi … oh, hello, Gay." A surprised look spread over his face; it was the first time Gaylord Le Claire had ever done anything like that.

Gaylord walked on. He looked to the door that led outside the gym, then back again at the laughing, talking, wrestling boys. He reached his locker, opened it and took out his underwear. He paused, thought; should I take off this towel right now like the rest of them do? Should I stand here naked the way they do?

He decided he would and took the towel from around his waist. He laid his underwear on the bench; sat there naked and dried his feet. He turned his lowered head and squinted around the room at the others.

"Has that red-headed bastard gone?" someone asked.

"Yeah," another voice answered.

"Thank God … damn, I'm dying for a cigarette … give me one."

Gaylord watched him puff and inhale the smoke. A fat naked kid of fifteen passed him.

"Hi, Gay."

Gaylord returned the same greeting and slipped his dried feet into his socks.

He felt strong hands on his shoulders and then a slight whack.

"How's my buddy?"

Gaylord knew instantly whom the voice belonged to. He dropped the shoe from his hand and reached for the towel which he placed over his naked lap … Said … "Oh, Bob … hi … I'm fine."

"How's New Orleans?"

"Wonderful … simply wonderful … How've you been, Bob?"

Blake smiled. "Okay," then he whispered, "missed you though." 234