Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/97

 He heard the whistle of truck tires coming along the road from which they had turned off. It was shrill and penetrating, shaking the earth on passing, causing him to jump at its sudden outburst.

Without warning, the voice of the car-hop whined, "Ready."

"Yea …"

Gaylord watched Blake. He watched the girl take the bill from the bronze fingers. Her hair hung in wisps around her broad checks, and her eyes, under which were dark circles, tried hard to smile.

Gaylord thought, how can Bob even think about going out with her. She's so hard-looking … so common … it wouldn't be so bad if she was pretty … but gosh … not her. Oh Bob, don't go out with her or ask her to meet you later … please don't.

Then, with no haste, the girl picked up the tray and after a few words left. Blake's car backed and turned, throwing its lights on the girl, who was stooping to pick up a beer bottle. "Guess you're right, Gay," Blake said, "she's no prize beauty."

"She sure isn't."

Blake laughed heartily. "Guess she's had a lot of hard wear." He paused, glancing at Gaylord. "How about a movie? It'll be nice and cozy in one."

The words hung between them like bait as the car swung on to the road, its twin blades of light cutting into the slab of cement. Gaylord looked at the boy at the wheel and found a strange, soft gentleness in the handsome face. He looked back to the road.

Inside the theater it was cozy with Blake beside him. Sitting so close to him, watching him eat a bar of candy, his torso sunk deep into the chair and his propped legs in front of him.

"Sure you don't want just a little bite?" Blake whispered.

"No thanks, Bob."

"No pop corn?"

Gaylord laughed a silly little laugh. "No … Bob … I'm stuffed. I just couldn't …"

He glanced at the broad forehead and moving jaws. Then he crouched in the seat like the other. A sort of happy stupor crept through him, and just sitting there made him light of body, so that sometimes he breathed with a sigh. As he put his head against the seat, he felt a warm hand reach out for his. In the soft light they held