Read Online The Good Life by Gordon Merrick - Free Book Online

downstairs with him and let him out, lost in thought as he closed the door behind him. He returned to his bedroom feeling curiously stirred by the meeting.
    Perry excited and intrigued him. He was undoubtedly a hustler like most penniless young men, but he wasn’t commonplace. He had quality aside from his astonishing body. He could use the whip as if he meant it without its turning him into a bully. He was charmingly compliant, but something in him remained cool and reserved. Young men just entering manhood fascinated Billy with their potential for both good and bad.
    Billy was almost sorry he was returning to Europe so soon. With time he might turn Perry into a finished product that would take the town by storm. He had a fresh, innocent quality that would make it a pleasure to introduce him to all the things he didn’t know and was so obviously ready to find out about.
    He particularly liked his first impression yesterday that Perry wasn’t a homosexual. Most of his young men were embarrassments in polite society. His first impression was what counted; he could be seen with Perry without people jumping to conclusions. It was a shame that he hadn’t met him a couple of months ago.
    Perry went back to the Y on Tuesday evening to put on his new suit before crossing the park to 66th Street to keep his dinner engagement.
    Billy let him in and greeted him warmly. “How delightful to see you. You’re looking extraordinarily handsome. I’ve missed you, Perry. We can stay down here for drinks.” He took him along a hall to an elegant living room that looked over a garden. “What will you have this evening?”
    Perry chose whiskey and noticed again that Billy already had a glass. He was looking very dapper in a pale summer suit and a white shirt with a starched collar. He gave Perry a glass, and they sat together on a sofa facing the garden.
    â€œI’ve had a distressing weekend, but first, where do you want to dine? I booked a table at ‘21,’ but I can change it.”
    Perry almost choked with excitement. He was finally going to see the New York he had read about. “That would be fine. Actually, I’ve heard it’s good, but I’ve never been there. I haven’t been here long.”
    â€œThe food would barely get by in Paris, but I like it. I imagine it’s a place you should see. At least they don’t serve frozen food. Some restaurants are beginning to. I imagine everything will be frozen soon, and we’ll forget what fresh food tastes like.”
    â€œWhat went wrong with the weekend?”
    â€œLaszlo has suddenly announced that he doesn’t want to go back to Europe with me. He’s afraid that if there’s trouble, he might get caught there. He probably has a point, but it’s rather turned things upside down. Don’t misunderstand me: I haven’t reached the point where I need a servant every minute, but when I travel it’s agreeable to have someone with me to help cope with the details.”
    Perry’s heart accelerated. Was he going to be offered a job? May be that explained why he hadn’t been taken upstairs. May be Billy had finished with him sexually and was beginning to think of him as a servant, although the greeting had been more warmly personal than the way he’d expect to be treated as a servant. He wasn’t sure what he thought of the possibility.
    â€œWell, sure,” Perry said. “I was a travel agent before I came here. There’s a lot of stuff to take care of.”
    â€œExactly. I’ve given it a lot of thought. How much are you paid at the fair?”
    â€œThirty dollars a week. Not bad.”
    â€œDoes the job represent anything for your future?”
    â€œNothing except to meet people like you, and I guess that’s more pleasure than anything to do with my future.”
    â€œNot necessarily. Let me tell you something, Perry. I find you marvelously satisfying to be