"Chris do you love me ?"

She turned away from me and switched on her desk lamp.

Her short, naturally curly hair was tangled, her lipstick smeared.

"Cigarette?"

I took one, and she lighted it for me. As sho leaned over I saw that the top button of her blouse was unbuttoned. Whose fingers?

"Chris. You

-

you haven't answered."

She lighted hor own cigarette. "Jonny, I think we ought to talk to Miss Leo."

"Talk to Miss Lee? About what?"

"About us. About you.

You said you loved me. I think we

ought to talk to Miss Leo."

"I don't understand."

"It's not right, Jenny. This foeling you have for me

"But, Chris, I love you."

"That's what I mean.

You know what Miss Lee said about

girls like that. We ought to tell her."

I

My bowilderment was completo. What did Chris mean? loved her. It was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened. Didn't she fool this way, too? Hadn't she shown me that she did? What could be wrong with this?

Chris was combing her hair, straightoning her clothes and talking. I caught phrases. "Sho can help...will know what to do...must tell her."

I was watching her, uncomprehending, nodding numbly because this seemed to be what she wanted. I started down the stairs ahead of her, thinking, Miso Lee will be in bed.

Chris caught my arm and dug hor nails into my skin. "This has happened to you beforo, hasn't it, Jonny?" Her voice was ugly and hard.

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