Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/69

 ask her if he could take her home. "Ill take you home," he said.

"Oh … swell, Gay … I'd like that." She giggled happily. "I haven't ever ridden in your new car, do you realize that, Gaylord Le Claire?"

Gaylord realized that she spoke truly. She had not been a companion for a long time. It had all changed with the years. She had even changed. She was now a grown woman and he found himself wondering how many times Blake had done the act with her, the sickening act, that had happened between himself and Thelma.

Robert Blake came forward with all the assurance of a welcome hero. The freshness of his face and the breeziness of his bearing, in no way suggested that he had kissed a boy and liked it.

"Hey, you," he growled, tapping Joy lightly on the neck. "Why didn't you wait for me?" He grinned quickly at Gaylord. "Hi, fellow. How's it going?"

The three walked together, and out of the corner of his eyes, Gaylord watched Blake. Saw the nippled chest, imprinted on the white sweatshirt, the dark hair, soft lips; looked at the big hand that held Joy's, at the other swinging with a careless grace in time to the slow steps of the big shoes. He admired the back of Blake's head. Blake was a man's man all right and yet he was kind and gentle. Every once in a while the muscles in his arms tightened and looked powerful under the deep bronze skin. Did those arms really embrace him? Did those lips, those gentle lips, really kiss his? Had all this really happened or was it only another dream. Whatever it had been, either a dream or reality, it was completely desirable. It would probably never happen again, but it had happened once. Happened this morning … or was it years ago? No, he was certain it would never happen again. Joy was lucky to have such a lover … lucky to be able to kiss and be held by those strong arms … and he wished it possible to exchange his place for hers.

"Hi, Bob," a group of girls chimed on passing.

"Hi," grinned Blake.

"Ladies' man," said Joy, poking him in the ribs.

"Lucky gal," Blake grinned. "Isn't she lucky, Gay," he began, "to have a good-looking fellow like me to run around with? I don't see 59