Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/283

 "What happened?"

"Oh … I got drunk and picked up tome jerk … took him home with me and when I woke up this morning … there he was …" Paul said in a disgusted tone. "Why do we do such things … Gene?"

"I don't know, honey … I've done the same thing … Felt like cutting my wrists the next morning too … Wasn't he any good?"

"Oh … I don't even remember."

"Now it couldn't have been that bad … at least he didn't roll you or blacken your eyes … I don't know … they look pretty black … What's the matter honey … did he have lace curtains?"

Paul grinned and lighted a cigarette. "I don't remember what he had … no … he didn't have that … I guess he was all right … but all I could think about all the time was Gay … It's just the first one I've had since Gay left and … I don't know … I just feel awful about it … Gene … I just feel terrible."

Gene placed his arms around the drooped shoulders. "Come on and sit down," he said. "Your mother needs a drink and I know damn well you do."

"I could stand one."

Gene mixed drinks and Paul gulped it down in one swallow. "I feel like getting plastered," Paul said, "may I have another?"

"You know you can …" Gene said, pouring another straight bourbon. He drank his drink and poured himself another. "I feel the same way. There's a bunch of bitches coming over later and we'll have a good start on them. That reminds me I've got some calls to make while I'm still thinking. I'm getting so absentminded lately, I'd probably forget my ass if it wasn't clipped to these gorgeous hips. You don't mind …"

"'Course not … go ahead, Gene."

Gene picked up a leather address book off the large coffee table, opened it and began to dial. Said, "I'm going to call this piece of rough trade I had the other night and ask him if he wouldn't like to spend the evening with a bunch of actresses." He let out a loud scream. "Ill ask him if he hasn't a pal for you, honey. I always look after my sisters." He laughed again at Paul, then into the phone he said, "Hello … may I speak to Mr. Russell? … Oh … no … no 273