Daddy turned from Momma, not giving up hope about discovering her identity, to search for Wayne.  He found his brother in the back of the basement, surrounded by girls.  Wayne wasn’t so much interested in the poetry or the causes  associated with the demonstrations he attended.  Wayne was girl crazy and many of the fairer sex attended these events.  It only made sense to him to come and adopt the prevailing viewpoint if it meant he would get a date.  Wayne also knew that some of these enlightened women were more adventurous than their traditional counterparts, which added to their appeal. 

Daddy knowing Wayne’s penchant for the opposite sex and knew to look for him surrounded by girls and tucked a way into a more private corner as opposed to a more visible spot in the middle of the room.  Seeing Momma had diverted him for a bit, but now Daddy had found his prey.  There was Wayne, in the back of the room, being attended to by four women all under his spell.

Wayne was a smooth talker.  He knew what to say and how to say it, having studied his prey carefully and perfected his lures to meet their desires.  The most sensitive man on earth had nothing against Wayne.  He could cry at the drop of a hat and make it sound like he knew what he was talking about when he analyzed poetry.  The right amount of impressive words mixed with endearing excitement about the subject made an irresistible combination to the unsuspecting woman.  Some were onto his game, but those women that were more naive fell into Wayne’s snare with relish.

Daddy braced himself as he walked to the back of the room to retrieve his wayward brother.  Sometimes, depending on the women and the environment, Wayne would put up a fight.  Other times, he would be meek and throw dejected glances at his companions, “I’m so suffocated,” his look seemed to say.  It could be quite captivating.  Daddy hoped for the latter, rather than the first tact of resistance.  It would seem to make sense as this was a subdued poetry reading as opposed to a protest where it would make more sense to shout.

When Daddy arrived at Wayne’s location, Wayne began the downcast and dejected routine.  Daddy sighed, partially with relief and not having to fight and partially in frustration.  On some levels, Daddy knew why Wayne behaved this way, but on another it really bothered him that he would be so deceptive with woman.  It didn’t matter to Daddy that Wayne was a teenager.  He felt Wayne should know and do better.

“C’mon Wayne, Let’s go.”

Wayne, looking appealingly downtrodden, “Can’t I just stay until the end of this poem?  It’s really moving me.”

The women around him, all older than Wayne, sighed.  Such sensitivity in such a young man, their exhalations seemed to say.  They all cast accusing glances at Daddy.

“We need to go.  Mom’s worried about you.”

“I always come back from these things OK.  We can stay a few more minutes.”

“You always come back because I always find you.  Now let’s get going,” Daddy’s voice had become stern, almost taking on a fatherly tone.  This is just what Wayne wanted.

Wayne disengaged himself from the women on either side of him and stood up, “See you around,” he said, offering a final look of total dejection at being led away by his oppressive older brother.  Wayne followed Daddy, who decided to take a bit of a detour through the crowd.  He stopped at Momma’s table, placed his hand on her shoulder again and said, “I found him.  Just thought I’d let you know.”

Momma, as you may remember, had already forgotten Daddy and his kid brother.  She startled for an instant trying to remember why this man might be talking to her.  Daddy noted the confusion in her eyes.

“Remember, I stopped by earlier to ask if you’d seen him.”

“Oh, yes.  Now I remember.  So you’ve found him.  Well that’s good.”

“My mom will be quite relieved to have him home.”

Momma’s eyes turned to Wayne.  She saw him standing there with his slightly longish and curling hair, still more boy than man, but with bravado to make up for it, and became quite smitten with him despite herself, despite the difference in their ages and despite his large older brother standing next to him.

“Well, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again the next time I have to come looking for Wayne.”

“OK,” said Momma.

Daddy tried to get her name again, “The name’s Horace.”

“Ah, yes, Horace.  I’m Nancy.  And what’s your brother’s name again?”

“Wayne.”

“Wayne.  Well Wayne and Horace.  It was nice to meet you both.”

“We should get going now, Wayne.  Mom’s waiting at home for you.”

“With a lecture, I’m sure,” Wayne rolled his eyes and kicked the floor.  He had been so close to reeling in at least one of those woman.  He didn’t notice the way Momma was now regarding him.  She wasn’t his type as she wasn’t into the “look” of the times.  Wayne thought she might even be a teacher of some sort.  Daddy also didn’t note Momma’s attention.

“Take care,” Daddy said as he began to steer Wayne through the crowd.  Momma’s eyes followed them up the stairs and out of the basement.