The next day he made his way to the park. "Mornin', Ruby."
"Morning to you. You late today."
"Going to be a long day. I'm taking the train north."
"Oh, my."
Don pulled the drawing from the cardboard tube and unrolled it, holding
it up for her to see.
"Wooo," she said, "I used to be better lookin'."
"You still good looking."
"I like it."
"I signed it here." He pointed.
"Don Dela--hanty," she read.
"An original Delehanty. You hang on to it, maybe it will be worth
something, someday."
"What you mean?"
He rolled the drawing and put it back in the tube. "It's for you; it's
a present." He held it out. Ruby hesitated and then took it.
"Been a while since I had a present."
"So," Don said, "take care. See you when I get back."
"Lord willing. Thank you. Thank you for the present." The walls came
down and she smiled like a girl.
"My pleasure." He bowed and walked toward the river. The Silver Meteor
was due at 5:50.
Don got to bed with Lorna that summer. She wasn't quite it, though he
loved her and would never tell her that. He did a portrait of her, his
best yet, and gave it to Molly knowing that Lorna wouldn't accept it or
would feel guilty for not paying if she did. The days were long and
intense, but the summer was gone in a flash.
Strangely, he was offered a show in New York--his other long time
dream--by a gallery owner who was after Lorna. He did not want to be
involved in their relationship.
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