Place in the City by Howard Fast Page B

geesus, I never thought yu were so good tu look at. Baby, yer wasting away here. Yu got a face and figure that could take yu places—”
    â€œI’m not interested.”
    â€œAin’t yu? Maybe yer afraid uv me?”
    â€œNo—I’m not.”
    â€œWell, don’t tie yerself down to that counter. It won’t get yu nowhere.”
    â€œMaybe it will.” She flirted the rag back and forth along the counter before she looked at Shutzey again. Then she said:
    â€œYou couldn’t buy me.”
    â€œGeesus, gimme a break.”
    â€œWhat kind?”
    â€œListen, kid, I’ll play straight with yu. Now look, tonight, maybe around nine-thirty, ‘I’ll have my car opposite Kraus’ saloon. Why don’ yu drop over an’ take a spin with me. I’ll wait fur yu.”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œSure. I’m on the level with yu.”
    Inside, her heart was thumping like a hammer, but she knew she had to keep a calm face. That was part of the game. Let him think what he wished, she wouldn’t come so easily. He would be a beast to tame.
    â€œMaybe,” she answered slowly.
    â€œAwright. I’ll wait right there in the car.”

D ANNY was waiting for Alice in his car that evening. She came over to him, tall and slim, wrapped in a long black coat. He thought she looked as nice as anyone could. The snow fell around her, and when he kissed her, there was a flake just melting on her lips.
    â€œHop in,” he told her. “There’s time for a spin and a bite to eat, and then I’ll have to leave you. Just tonight, darling.”
    â€œI wanted to be with you tonight,” she said slowly. “I wanted to, Danny. I’m afraid.”
    â€œNow what are you afraid of?” He started his motor, raced it, and then the car pulled away. He drove easily. Alice smiled. He was just right, not too short, not too tall, clean, the sort of a boy she always wanted. And he would go places. He was a lawyer, and he had his office together with Timy Dolan. Everybody knew what a powerful man Timy Dolan was, and more than one said Danny was his brains. She told him what had happened at school that day.
    â€œâ€”Oh, it’s not the only thing, Danny. I’m so tired. I want to marry you. We will be married soon, won’t we, Danny?” She looked sidewise at him, and she saw that he was smiling complacently to himself, keeping his eyes on the road.
    â€œBut, Danny, I’m afraid. It means breaking everything off. I’m Jewish—you’re a Catholic. Danny, I don’t care about that; I’d do anything in the world for you. You know that, don’t you?”
    â€œSure I do, baby.”
    â€œI’d do anything for you, Danny—because I love you. Well, why do things come out this way? Maybe you could tell me.”
    â€œI guess I love you, baby. I guess that’s the only reason why.”
    She sat back then, let the wind blow into her face. In front of her, the city was turning itself over and over; if she was afraid, she was still happy: wherever she went with Danny, she was happy.
    â€œWhat will I tell my father and mother?”
    â€œNothing—”
    â€œNo.” She shook her head. “I can’t do it that way, Danny. I don’t want to.”
    They sat in silence then, until they came to the park. Then Danny stopped the car. Drawing her close to him, he kissed her, and she closed her eyes, imagining how it would be to have those arms there all the time, whenever she wanted them. If he married her, it would be day and night and always. If he was uncircumsized, how did that affect her? He was Danny, and all in all, that was what mattered. He was good and clean, and the only thing she wanted. What did Jew matter? What did Christian matter? What did either word mean to her? It was her only chance to live, and if she passed it by—
    Danny was speaking, and while he spoke he held his hands on her