Page 67 of Intermission

“You promised me, Faith.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But you know how they are. And it’s tax season, too.” My voice is barely above a murmur. “I have to pick just the right moment.”

“The longer you put it off, the harder it’s going to be.”

“I know.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. No time like the present, right?

“Fine.” I turn. “Mom?” I call across the room. “Dad?”

Dad snorts awake and looks at me, blinking rapidly.

“Hey, guys, I’m dating Noah Spencer now, okay? Just thought you should know.”

“You’re going out? On Easter Sunday?” Dad un-reclines. “While Danielle and Ryan are here?”

“I’m not going out on a date today. I’m dat-ing. You know. ‘Going Steady.’ Like the song inBye, Bye Birdie.”

I sing the refrain of the song.

“That’s cute.” Danielle grins. “I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”

“We did it my freshman year,” I say, silently thanking her for changing the topic. “I was only in the chorus, though.”

“Noah.” Mom sets her magazine in her lap. “He’s the one who went with you to Des Moines, right?”

“Right.” Oh well. Nice try though, Danielle.

“And now you’re dating him?”

I nod.

“So why haven’twemet him yet?”

“Because we haven’t actually gone out on a date yet. Like I said, he works on the weekends. We haven’t gone anywhere together since we went to Des Moines.”

“Doesn’t sound too steady to me.” Dad leans back in the recliner and closes his eyes. “But you know the rules. We have to meet a boy before you go out with him.”

“I know.”

“He was the Nazi in that community theatre thing, right?” Mom’s tone implies he may not have been acting.

“Yeah. He played Rolf.”

“You kissed him in that play.”

“My character, Liesl, kissed his character, Rolf. It’s called acting.” I almost roll my eyes... and then mentally kick myself for nearly giving in to the impulse. My tone was bad enough.

“Faith,” Ryan warns under his breath.

“If you’re kissing a boy, we need to meet him.” Dad shifts again.His eyes pop open. “Noah Spencer. I thought you said he was studying drama in England or some crazy thing. What’s he doing kissing you in Iowa when he’s supposed to be in England?”

“He’s transferring to a school in London in the fall.” My mouth goes dry. “He’s still here for a few more months.”

“So he goes to high school in Leopold, right?” Mom’s eyes narrow. “But you said he’stransferringto London, which usually means...”

“He’s enrolled at the community college right now,” I supply. “And he works two jobs.”