Max by Howard Fast Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t until ten minutes to four that Miss Levine emerged, flanked on either side by a lady teacher, and so flanked proceeded down the street and out of sight. Safely concealed in the darkness of the tenement hallway, Max could watch her through the glass pane in the door that led to the street. The following day, Max admitted to himself that he went there to watch her come out of the school, but that day and the next two days, Miss Levine was securely protected by the two lady teachers who walked on either side of her. Not until the fifth day of watching did Miss Levine emerge from the school alone and unescorted.
    It was not until she was halfway down the school block that Max screwed up his courage sufficiently to follow, taking long steps, half running, and then blurting out, ‘Hello, Miss Levine!’
    But his voice came forth a quavering squeak, and Miss Levine paused to turn and regard him with astonishment. He stood foolishly, smiling.
    â€˜Mr Britsky.’
    He nodded.
    â€˜Were you coming to the school? It’s much too late, you know. It’s after hours.’
    â€˜No … well, yes. I mean, how is the kid acting?’
    â€˜The kid?’
    â€˜My brother Ruby.’
    â€˜Oh. Yes. Yes, I think he’s trying.’ She looked at him strangely. ‘Yes, he’s trying. It’s nice to have met you.’ And then she started to walk off.
    Walking alongside of her, Max said, ‘Is it all right if I walk along with you?’
    Again she paused, looking at him thoughtfully.
    â€˜I guess it looks to you like I’m acting crazy,’ Max said.
    This time Miss Levine was at a loss for words.
    â€˜Yeah, I know, because I guess I am acting crazy, because I couldn’t think of any other way to get to meet you.’
    â€˜But you have met me, Mr Britsky, and if you wanted to see me again, all you had to do was to send a note into the class.’
    â€˜That ain’t what I mean. I mean that isn’t what I mean, not exactly.’ He noticed the shadow of a smile when he replaced ‘ain’t’ with ‘isn’t,’ and somehow it reassured him. ‘I mean meet you – just meet you – not because some kid I’m connected with acts like a little bum. Do I make any sense?’
    â€˜Yes, I think I understand.’
    â€˜So can I buy you a cup of coffee? Can we sit down somewhere and talk?’
    â€˜No, I don’t think so.’
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜For one thing, I’m on my way home, where I have things to do.’
    â€˜Are you married?’ he demanded.
    â€˜That’s really none of your business, is it, Mr Britsky?’
    â€˜Yes, it is.’
    â€˜Well, I would dispute that,’ she said. ‘But if you must know, I am. not married.’ She stared at him again, her dark brown eyes searching his face. ‘Do you always do that, stop people on the street and ask personal questions?’
    â€˜You know I don’t. You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?’
    â€˜No, but you invite it, you’re so nervous and frightened.’
    â€˜Me?’ Max demanded indignantly. ‘Me frightened?’
    â€˜I live on Tenth Street in Greenwich Village,’ Miss Levine said. ‘It’s a long walk, but when the weather is good I do like to walk home.’
    â€˜Can I walk with you?’
    â€˜Yes, if you wish. If you have the time.’
    They began to walk. For Max, it was a new experience, this sensation of deep satisfaction and great accomplishment flowing out of the simple act of walking alongside a young woman. Yet he realised that a moment or two before, she had been on the point of dismissing him out of hand. He couldn’t help asking her what made her change her mind.
    â€˜I told you. You were so frightened.’
    â€˜That’s crazy,’ Max said. ‘I’m not frightened. I’m – I don’t know how to even talk to someone like