Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/344

 contempt in the dark eyes, how could he explain that nothing had happened. He was caught in a world of image and feeling.

In the drained light, the trees were stark and mournful. He had the fantastic notion that on those naked branches dead men hung, their lifeless bodies swaying in macabre rhythm. It seemed to him he was kin with all the dying … all the misery in the world. He put his sweating hands to his throbbing head and in a daze, shaped a name, Glenn. The symbol of his guilt. Glenn … Names … His numb lips repeated it.

Abruptly he sprang up, cried, "No, Bob … you're wrong … I swear you're wrong. Nothing like what you think happened." Blake wasn't looking at him. With a clumsy gesture, he pulled at the other's shirt, looked at him, hoping his face would reveal he was speaking the truth, would tell better than words. "Look at me, Bob. Please look at me," he silently cried. "Can't you see I'm not lying. Can't you see I'd never hurt you? I love you too much to do that … understand … please understand …"

Gaylord's head inclined towards Blake's chest, his face sober and tear-stained. He did feel guilty because the desire had been there … It had been deep and if Glenn would have made even the slightest move, he realized now that Blake would be speaking the truth. He did not look up, only rested his tired head across the broad chest. How strange it felt beneath him, how awfully strange. He was innocent, and yet he was guilty too. But life was like that. The littlest seed could grow into a huge tree the same as one act or word could become a burning quarrel.

"You were in the woods with him, weren't you?" Blake said gravely.

"Yes … but nothing like what you think happened."

Blake laughed. "What's the matter? Wouldn't he let you?" Roughly, he pushed Gaylord aside. "You must be losing your charms, Gaylord."

"You didn't give me a chance to finish."

"You don't have to. I know what went on between you two." Blake looked off into space.

"Bob … nothing like what … please let me finish …"

"We're finished … washed up … you and me. I've had enough