Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 49: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE one afternoon. When she said she could make i Larry and requested the same favor from ee ee oes showing some surprise that anything had been done toward setting a ballet to his music, obligingly agreed to come. Two men were on stage, one seated at the piano, when Connie walked down the deserted aisle. She knew one of them was Hoke. It didn’t even occur to her who the other might be She mounted to the stage, her brooding eyes lowered then froze in her tracks when she looked up. Hello, Connie,” said Larry, getting up from the piano stool. A friendly smile was on his face and a genuine regard filled his eyes. Connie stared at him. She couldn’t seem to take her ae Ene ee his Soe remembered face, his broad should- ; hder, wiry build. Her mouth wer h she could hardly make her tongue work. Sg I—I didn’t know you were coming,” she managed and her oe seemed, even to herself, as if they came from someone “Sure,” put in Hoke, bustling. around, ‘‘we’ve got t i change the music in a few places. Do you want ikea ae practice costume, Miss Carter, or don’t you want to bother?” Maybe I’d better.” She seized upon the suggestion to get away for a few minutes. She needed to recover from this unexpected encounter. She hastened to her dressing room. Inside, Connie sank weakly to the bench in front of her dressing table. Her legs felt numb and her head actually felt as if there were nothing in it at all. Her breath came in short quick gasps. Grimly she got control of herself. So this was how it was, she thought. This was how it was going to be. In that very second the die was cast as to which way she would go. Connie knew, with complete and utter cer- tainty, that she could not go through life carrying the torch for Larry Brooks. She couldn’t stand it. Somehow she had to a him hers, regardless of the cost. What it would amount Ws Ae Eee yet know but from this moment on she’d start Connie arose. A new smile resolved itself on her face 2 determination filled her eyes. Quickly she undressed ae into a black leotard. She strapped on a pair of black ballet slippers and went out to join the two men on stage. She was well aware of Larry’s eyes upon her, admiring her 96 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE ul breasts under the jersey and her sturdy but exquisitely haped, bare legs, “T didn’t know you'd decided to go ahead with this thing,” arry told her. “Td do anything for your sake, Larry,” she replied with deep sincerity. “That’s the one thing you failed to consider last week.” There was skepticism and confusion in his eyes as he sat down at the piano. But neither he nor Connie had further time to give to their own thoughts for Hoke got busy at once. They spent two hours making revisions. Connie proved her professional ability by putting aside all personal considerations and concentrating on the task at hand. Against the stark back- round of the bare, unset stage, she executed intricate dance steps to Larry’s music. Even without benefit of lights and make-up she was fascinating. Her daintiness, her beauty, her erace were without rival on Broadway. “That ought to do it, kids,’ said Hoke, satisfied at, last. Larry turned around on the piano stool and smiled. “Maybe it does for you, but I’ve got a good three days’ work ahead of me, getting this music vevised.” “When do you think we can get into rehearsal with it?” Connie asked. “Next week,” Hoke speculated as he got into his coat. “T’ve got to hurry along. Got a heavy date at five-thirty.” — A moment later he walked up an aisle and disappeared into the shadows in the rear of the theater. Larry offered Connie a ‘cigarette. After it was lit she straddled a chair and rested her arms on its back. “Don't let me keep you, Larry,’ she smiled. “How can I help it?” he asked, admiring the piquant picture she made. “And speaking of dates—I guess you're busy tonight?” “Not necessarily.” “Could I buy you a drink in celebration of the raise O’Brien gaye me today?” “Larry!’? she exclaimed excitedly. “Congratulations!” “Tt’?s not much by your standards but a whale of a lot for me. O’Brien is doing a thriving business all of a sudden.” “T don’t care what it is, I’m happy for you, Larry. Of course ‘1 have a drink with you. Two, if yowll ask me.” COMME OOOKS ACO im