Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/311

 crude but she had been so good to him. He had been sorry when she left them to get married.

"Hello, Selma," Gaylord said. He tried to smile.

"Ya sure growing … look more like your paw than ever, durn if you don't." She scratched under her arm. "How's yer folks?"

They were all watching and he felt embarrassed. Why should he feel that way? Even if her hat was outdated or the rouge on her cheeks smeared, what did it matter?

"Selma," he began, "this is Mrs. Rogers and Glenn Rogers."

"Please to meet ya." She held out her rough naked hand.

Mrs. Rogers and her son knew this farm woman type. They held out their hands to her and she squeezed each with a tight, warm grip.

They talked for awhile and then Selma left. Gaylord breathed a sigh of relief. He waved back at her and kept remembering the birthday cake she had made for him.

They talked of Selma and then Mrs. Rogers asked, "Why don't you come and have breakfast with Glenn, Gaylord?"

"Yeah," broke in Rogers. "Come and have breakfast with me, Gay."

How could he refuse? It was still early; probably Blake was still in bed. He wouldn't stay long and he could call from Glenn's and let his mother know where he was. He'd call after they had eaten because his parents were probably in bed too.

"Well … I …"

"Come on, Gay," pleaded Rogers.

"All right. I've got my car. I'll meet you at your house."

Rogers said, "I'll ride with you and make sure you do." He grinned and the dimples grew deep.

"That'll be fine," beamed Mrs. Rogers. "You two boys run along."

"Won't you come with us, Mrs. Rogers?" he asked.

"Thanks, but I have a way home … a neighbor brought us to church and she'd wonder where I was. I'll see you at the house."

"We'll see you … bye …" And Gaylord and Rogers walked away.

After the old fashioned breakfast, Gaylord was so pleasantly aware 301