Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/293

 face. Said, "Sit down, honey. I just had mad sex before I came on and I'm so pooped I wouldn't know if it was sleeting. Yes, I guess I would too for I'm sure I'd have fallen flat on my ass coming to work."

"I guess you would have at that."

Grover handed Paul an open package of cigarettes. "Smoke," he asked. Paul took one and so did Grover. He sensed something was wrong … "How's it going, Paul?"

They looked at each other between a thin screen of smoke, and Paul said, "Fine." Then added, "Grover, find out if twelve-ten is occupied, will you please? If it isn't I'd like to have it. I'm so wet I hate to go to the desk and ask …"

"Sure, Paul." Grover turned to the phone on his desk. "Just a minute. I'll ask Charles."

He picked up the house phone and flipped the cigarette ashes with his finger. He studied Paul, began to wonder … that something was wrong he had no doubt but why did he want twelve-ten when he had such a lovely Apartment?

No, twelve-ten was occupied but he could have twelve-eight, he told Paul and added, "How about twelve-eight?"

"No," Paul said quietly. "It's got to be twelve-ten."

"Sorry, Charles … Skip it … thanks anyway." Grover hung up the receiver. "Why in the hell do you want to stay in this dump when you've got that dream house to go home to. If it was mine I don't think I'd ever leave it."

"You would too … Grover. Gets kinda lonesome alone."

"Well, honey, this joint isn't the Follies Bergere. It's dull as hell here tonight." Grover sighed. "I'm sorry, Paul, that I couldn't help you. Did you make a date? Was someone going to call you in twelve-ten? Piece of rough trade?"

"No," Paul grinned. "It's really nothing … Thanks anyway."

Grover gave a quick gasp. "Oh, I remember. That cute thing you stayed all night with had twelve-ten. That kid from Texas." He waved his wrist. "He was a doll. Every time he passed my heart stopped. I tried to talk to him several times but he knew how to avoid me … Guess he could read my mind. He was cute … real cute."

"Yes … He was …" 283