Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/299

 evening, it was not the thing of gossamer it had been. Ted had the face of one who walks in his sleep, and for a wild moment the idea came to Paul that he would be kissed right then and there, and that the tangled orders of their sub-conscious minds were the same. They were both in a trance … both lonely and desirous of each other. He took the glass, after a second and said … "Thanks … Ted."

"You're welcome," Ted said. Then asked, "Where's the bathroom?"

"There …"

He was sitting on the bed putting on some dry socks when Ted returned. He smiled up at him thinking he would not be alone tonight … Tonight there would be Ted. And if there weren't any Teds or Gaylords he'd go searching for someone else … Someone … But tonight there would be Ted. He would be there and he would smile, saying, "You're very nice, Paul … very nice …"

Ted sat on the bed … "You've a lovely apartment, Paul. Almost too nice to leave."

"We don't have to," Paul said, and his fingers trembled around the glass. He was in a flushed stage looking at Ted, seated so close, and it was almost too much to bear just sitting there. He was like a little schoolboy being tempted by a stick of striped candy.

"How's your drink?"

Paul tasted it again, said, "Very good … how's yours?"

"Fine … would you mind staying in?"

"'Course not. I'd rather. It's so nasty outside." He took a deep drink and arose … "I'll turn on the radio."

Didn't Ted know he didn't want to go out, he thought … was he going to have to make the first move? In his present savage mood, he wanted no delay, the quicker, the better. The whiskey was taking effect, making him warm inside. Might as well get it over with … find out more about his companion. "Why don't you take off your coat and tie … get comfortable."

"If you don't mind … that's a good idea." Ted took off his coat and tossed it over the back of a chair. He untied his cravat and unbuttoned his stiffly starched collar … "That is better. Wonder who invented them?" He ran his hand over his neck. "Kinda hard on the neck aren't they." 289