Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/312

 of the overstuffed chair's comfort he never noticed the upholstery of pressed plush; flowered rug; cheap oak table, flanked with family portraits; or even the plain electric bulb hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room. But it was Mrs. Rogers who did affect him. She had served them calmly on a table covered with oilcloth, and her hands, unornamented except for a wide wedding band, had been busy moving over the stove, dishes and table.

"I never want to see any more food," he said, rubbing his stomach.

Rogers looked at the relaxed figure. Said, "I don't either."

"I had a glass of milk and some cookies too before I went to church. Then those hot cakes and eggs and grits … I bet your mother thinks I'm awful … she should, the way I ate."

"She would have if you wouldn't have eaten anything," grinned Rogers.

Gaylord was glad Mr. Rogers wasn't there and he never asked about him. The telephone rang and though Rogers arose to answer it, his mother had already done so.

"Phone would get me out of my chair, think that's about the only thing that would." He smiled and slumped in his old position.

"I'd better call Mother," Gaylord said, realizing he had forgotten to call home. "May I? She doesn't know where I am."

"Sure, go ahead. Mother's through. It's in the hall, Gay. I'll show you." He started to arise.

"Don't move," Gaylord said. "I'll find it."

There was an instantaneous response to his call. His mother was up and wondering about his whereabouts. Did he want to go to the country with them to see Aunt Emma? … No, he didn't want to go. Had anyone called? No, no one had called. In fact the phone had not rung all morning. Damn, Bob hasn't called yet, he thought, not listening to his mother … No, he didn't know what he was going to do today … Maybe he and Glenn would go for a drive … yes, he'd be careful …

He hung up the receiver and went back into the Rogers' living room.

Rogers had turned on the radio and was reading the funny paper. He laid this down when he saw Gaylord enter the room. Said … "Everything all right?" 302