Page 60 of Intermission

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” He nods. “Gretchen is really pretty, I guess. If you’re into that blonde, bombshell-y sort of look.” He shoots me a cockeyed grin. “I’m not, by the way.”

Warmth surges through me.

“I have a thing for brunettes. One in particular.” He groans. “Wow. That was maybe the cheesiest thing I’ve said today. But seriously, that bombshell thing is so... I dunno. Not my thing. Your beauty goes deeper. What’s inside your head and your heart comes through with more clarity. Your beauty is intelligent and natural. Does that make sense?”

“Thanks. But Gretchen knows how to work the helpless blonde angle pretty well.”

“Boy, does she. I went to high school with her, remember?”

“Yeah. But she’s smarter than you think. She can actually get pretty deep sometimes.”

“Oh, I know she’s smart. Gretchen was the salutatorian of our class, after all. But I always wondered what she would have been like if she would have used her powers for good instead of... well, whatever she used them for.”

“Yeah, really.” I laugh, shaking my head. “Every once in a while we see glimpses, so there is hope, I guess. Hey, the light is blinking.” As it changes, we leave the curb. “So, enough about my sister. Tell me, what wasyourfavorite part ofLes Mis?”

“I know it’s dorky, but I love the scene when the priest lies about Jean Valjean stealing the silver and then gives himmoresilver. I think it’s a great portrayal of the way God gives people second chances.” Noah takes a breath. His smile drops a few degrees. “And speaking of second chances, I need to—”

“Speed it up, you lollygaggers!” Danielle calls back. “It’s chilly out here!”

“What were you going to say?”

“Later,” Noah whispers as we reach the parking ramp’s elevator where Ryan and Danielle are waiting. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“So are you guys ready to head back to my mom’s,” Danielle asks, “or do you want to go grab a bite somewhere?”

“I could handle a snack,” Ryan offers.

“You canalwayshandle a snack. Your stomach is a black hole.” Danielle lightly punches his gut. “I was asking Noah and Faith.”

“I’m open to whatever you guys want,” Noah says. “Faith?”

“I was too excited to eat much for supper.” Even though the music still rings in my ears and my heart, hunger isn’t too far behind it.“Let’s go eat.”

“Awesome.” Ryan grins and pulls the car keys from his pocket. “So, Faith, did you like the live show as much as you liked the movie?”

“Did I?” I let out a little squeal. “I loved it! I never knew just howpassionatethe story would be in person. Thanks, Ryan. Thanks, Danielle. And thanks, Danielle’s Mom, wherever you are!”

“Brenda.” Danielle laughs, shaking her head. “Her name is Brenda.”

I throw my arms open and angle my face toward the cement ceiling. “Thank you, Gracious Brenda, mother of my future sister-in-law, for your magnanimous gift of theatre awesomeness!” My voice echoes through the parking ramp.

“See?” Ryan grins at his fiancée. “All the worldisa stage for my little sister.”

“But seriously, those seats your mom scored were awesome, Danielle. I think I actually felt somebody’s sweat fling on me!” I’m almost embarrassed by my voice, which is in a higher range than normal and sounds nearly as giddy as I feel.

“Eww.” Danielle wrinkles her nose. “I’ll be sure to tell my mom how much you appreciated the flinging sweat. I, for one, would’ve rather been back a few more rows. Mom won the tickets in a contest at work, but she was already scheduled to be out of town this week, so she offered them to me. My only worry was that your mom wouldn’t let you come with us.”

I make an almost-snort sound in my throat. “I was lucky. If I had asked her myself, I’m sure she would have said no. But sinceRyanasked, it was a shoe-in. He’s the favorite.” I shrug and come close to rolling my eyes. “Except, of course, when Gretchen’s around.”

Danielle glances over her shoulder from the front passenger seat. “Hang in there, kiddo. Your mom’s a tough cookie. But you’re a strong one. You’ll survive.”

We drive to a bar and grill close to Danielle’s mother’s house. While snacking on an appetizer platter, we discuss the upcoming wedding.

“Ryan’s parents think we’re crazy to get married before he finishes his residency,” Danielle explains to Noah, “but we don’t want to waitthat long. Besides, I have a good job. It’s not like we’ll starve.”

“Yes, you’re very sensible.” I nod. “Mom and Dad love that about you. They tell everyone about your M.B.A.”

“I know. It’s a little weird.”