The ladies and men who might have wanted Sassafrass were too cool to seek her out so early in the evening, so Sassafrass only felt the steam heat of their glances and ended up on a cushion with Leroy McCullough, who was not at all concerned about being cool. He was a serious young man, and not given to whims of a romantic nature. He didn’t even have the fear of involvement that kept most of his friends looking for a new lady; Leroy was in a woman or he wasn’t, and he didn’t care how much time passed between one and the next—just how much caring went down, all the time. And so he sat with Sassafrass, finding out secrets, and sharing his. Sassafrass liked the way his mouth evinced hints of sadness, how his arms were rippled with tiny criss-crossing veins, and fingers a vain woman would love to have. He was small and light-limbed, and auburn brown; all of which tripped Sassafrass out, because she was used to Mitch’s towering darkness and his perennial teasing. But Leroy was actually fragile, and knowing his own delicateness, he didn’t trample on Sassafrass; he kind of threw feathers and caresses in front of her every motion, so she wouldn’t be hurt, and wouldn’t want to tear at him, either. Sassafrass kept looking around, not used to being with another man. Leroy sensed a soprano horn around Sassafrass, and felt like whoever was playing, was playing for all he was worth. He wanted Sassafrass un-done from this other man’s music, so he went off and came back with his bassoon, and tried to pull Sassafrass out of the alien melody. Sassafrass pushed herself against the wall to keep from exhibiting the pains of withdrawing from Mitch, so she could see about this new man. She fought to get Mitch out of her, but Mitch held on, and sent lyric after lyric through her marrow. Leroy laid down his horn and pulled Sassafrass up to him; held her like she might become a vapor. Then, he said, “Let’s try it, huh, Sassafrass. Let’s make a song, and see what we can be.” Sassafrass kept holding her breath, looking through the back of her head for Mitch. Where was he? Didn’t he want her at all? But she answered Leroy affirmatively, and the two of them sped up to the roof, cushions on their backs and wine in Sassafrass’ bag. This was going to be a fine night, and the breeze was strong, but not chilled. So Sassafrass untied her halter and sat bare-breasted with Leroy singing to her, and pulling her breasts to the skyline.