Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/354

 "Where would you?"

"I'd like to show you New Orleans."

New Orleans … Gaylord became alive with anticipation and memories of the old city. "I'd like to see New Orleans with you."

"Okay … it's New Orleans," said Blake curtly. "I've got some money saved up. We'll take in everything. Just you and I." He sighed deeply. "You don't like Cotton and I don't any more. Maybe we could stay there … A new place with new faces and problems, that's what we need … Hell, what can you do in Cotton without everybody knowing it? Not a damn thing."

But Gaylord was not thinking of others, for in that instant, the faces of people became an image of unimportant time. They were the only two in the world and they would go thus together through some oriental garden full of love and vastness. They would explore cities, clusters of shining jewels on the dark surface of the night. They would not be lost wandering in metropolitan jungles, for they would have each other. This was no dream, and if it was, wasn't he the "Dreamer of Dreams?" He had dreamed his whole life … dreamed in an upstairs bedroom in a little town so many years. And so dreaming, he held the golden bronze next to him, and the flesh responded warm and alive under his hands.

Blake's fingers pressed against the warm naked skin of Gaylord's chest. "It would be fun to live in New Orleans." He cleared his throat. "I'd like that … I'd like to meet Paul Boudreaux … he must be a nice guy."

"He is, Bob … a very nice guy."

"There's so many like us in this old world … wonder why …"

Gaylord did not answer. Instead, he looked into the darkness, and beyond it he could feel the heartaches, the miseries, and the great mysterious pattern of life it sheltered. To his ears came the distant sounds of voices and laughter. They beat softly on the wall of his school, a harsh surf churning on immemorable shores. They poured scorn and mockery over the listening soul of Gaylord Le Claire.

If only they had not been so accusing … if only the years had touched him with kindness … if only people were …

Take away the scorn and give love … go out and ask and listen before condemning … 344