little finger. "Dahling … you come right over and bring your friend. I'll light a candle and stick it in the window for you . . Another cry of giggles. "Stick it where? Now, honey, you know me better than that. Strictly a French artist, that's me," he cried with delight, like a flustered old maid who had just been pinched on the cheek for the first time. "All right, baby. You all come right on ova … I'll be waiting … Bye … now."
He hung up the phone and hurried back to the bathroom, humming in a high falsetto voice.
Standing in front of the purple door, Gaylord touched Paul's arm. "Are you sure it's all right," he whispered.
"I'm sure … And if I'm any judge, you'll like Gene." Paul smiled and knocked.
The door opened slightly … Gene cried, "Paul!" and flung it open. "Come on in. I'm so glad you two are here. There's no one here yet and we can sit and dish. Haven't seen you in centuries." He smiled at Gaylord. "I'm glad you could come too."
"Gene, this is Gay," Paul said warmly.
"So glad Paul brought you, Gay … Come on in you two." They went inside and Gene asked, "Do you live here in New Orleans?"
"No, ma'am …" he grinned shyly. "I … I live in Texas."
"Texas … huh." Gene grinned and looked at Paul and said, "Come on in … I don't know what in the hell we're standing here for … Sit down and I'll fix us a drink."
Gaylord didn't look at Gene, though he knew he was still looking at him. He stared around the room. Shadows fell and moved across the furniture as the candles flickered slightly.
The room was large and full of antiques. Marble-top tables covered with hand-drawn doilies dominated the French chairs and the arms of a worn divan. On each end of the divan was a marble top commode. They were low and each graced a tall silver candelabra. Eighteen inch candles stood erect and majestically in their sockets; their flickering glow falling on a marble fireplace, and an elaborate gold-leaf framed mirror with two cherubs on top center. The walls were lined with paintings; some good, some bad; all were nudes From the center of the high ceiling a crystal chandelier glistened, not
