Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/285

 "Bourbon … me quit booze … oh, God … do I have to?"

"It's got sugar in it."

"Oh … shit …" he tossed his head and laughed … "Guess I'll stay like I am …"

Paul laughed and began his shower.

Gene hung up the phone as Paul walked from the bathroom. He looked his old self and his face was handsome. "Still calling," he asked.

"Yessss … bunch of bitches," Gene answered with a chuckle. "Did you ever see anything like a bunch of bitches, I ask you? Some said they were going to stay home, they were too upset to go out. One said she was going cruising. Another wanted to know if she could bring her trade with her. Another said she was having the vapors, but she'd try to make it. May, they'll all be here. Free drinks? Huh. Even if they don't give a damn for your mother, they'll come for free drinks. But this is the pay-off, girl. You know Miss Cockran, don't you?"

Paul nodded he did.

"Well, Miss Cockran says, ‘dahling,' imagine her calling me darling. ‘I'd just love to come but Jim and I are going to the theatre.' Going to the theatre … huh … probably cruising that nasty old burlesque house on St. Charles. I've got her number … That bitch wouldn't know how to act in a theatre. And then she continued, in that frog-like voice of hers, ‘We're meeting some friends in the Blue Room afterwards for cocktails but after that we'd just love to drop by for a few drinks.' Few drinks, hell … she guzzles like her hole's on fire and she's trying to put it out. I was foaming at both ends when she hung up … I don't know why I put up with her."

"I know why you do …"

Gene laughed … "Well … that husband of hers is kinda cute … isn't he … I'm going to get him if I have to pay for it."

"That shouldn't be hard to do … he doesn't work does he?"

"No … doesn't do nothing … Miss Cockran supports him."

"Cockran doesn't make very much, does he?"

"Hell no. Don't you know where she works? She slings hash down on St. Charles Street in some sloppy dive. I don't even know 275