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Then, tired of the noise, Co
“What did you think of what the youth pastor said?” DJ asked as Co
“Interesting…”
“Yeah. Kind of gives a person hope.”
When they got to Carter House, they sat outside in Co
“I saw that,” teased Taylor, when DJ came in.
“Saw what?”
“That little peck on the porch.”
“Someone pecked the porch?”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“You shouldn’t be spying on people.”
“I couldn’t help myself.”
“Where’s Rhia
“Upstairs…” Taylor frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Rhia
“Rhia
“It’s true.”
“Why?”
“She thinks I’m trying to get Bradford.”
“Are you?”
Taylor just shrugged. “I can’t help it if guys like me.”
“Right.” DJ shook her head as she went up the stairs. Co
9
AS IT TURNED OUT, Rhia
“I guess I’m a sucker,” she admitted. “But I actually thought Taylor just wanted to go to youth group.”
“But she really just wanted to put a move on Bradford,” finished DJ.
“I don’t want to judge her, DJ. Besides, it probably doesn’t matter now anyway.” Rhia
“Why not?”
Rhia
“No!” DJ grabbed Rhia
“It is.” Okay, now DJ thought she heard a trace of bitterness in Rhia
“How do you know that for sure?”
“To start with, they were joking around a lot last night, and I tried to make myself believe he was simply being nice, making her feel welcome at youth group and all. But then I couldn’t help but notice he was really looking at her, you know, in a way that gets your attention. But then I told myself that I was just imagining things.” Rhia
“You’re probably right,” proclaimed DJ, “he was just being nice.”
“No!” Rhia
“What do you mean no?” But even as she said this, DJ observed Taylor coming out of the courtyard toward them. So she grabbed Rhia
“Because he wanted to tell me—privately—that we’re just going to be friends from now on.” Rhia
DJ got the picture. “Oh, Rhia
Rhia
“But you told me—”
“It’s okay.” Rhia
“Rod who?”
“The youth pastor.”
“Right.” DJ frowned as she tried to remember.
“Were you paying attention?”
“Yeah…but it’s kind of cloudy.”
“Rod talked about how God wants to use the junk in our lives to make something fresh and alive and new.”
“Oh yeah, his theory was that it takes stinky manure to make things grow.”
“It’s not a theory, DJ. It’s in the Bible…well, sort of…and it’s a fact of life too.”
“Even so, I can’t help but be ticked at Bradford. That is so low on his part. And I thought he was a Christian. Shouldn’t he act differently?”
“Let’s drop it for now.” Rhia
“Where else?” said Taylor as she joined them.
DJ couldn’t believe that Rhia
“What’s your problem?” Taylor asked DJ as they entered the auditorium.
“What do you mean?” DJ gave her an i
“I mean why are you acting like such a grumpy girl? Did you get kicked off the volleyball team or something?”
DJ just shrugged, but didn’t answer. Out of respect for Rhia
“Hey, girls,” said Eliza as she joined them. “It’s the big day.”
“Big day?” asked DJ, confused.
“Mr. Harper’s going to a
“Oh, right.” Not for the first time, DJ wondered why she’d taken drama. Oh, sure it was sort of fun, but when it came to acting, DJ felt fairly certain she would make a complete fool of herself. Hopefully, she could get a backstage assignment and avoid the limelight altogether. Rhia
“Okay, class,” said Mr. Harper from the stage. “It’s time to unveil the choice for the next CCH production, but first I’ll give you some clues. For starters it’s a musical.”
Some of the kids, including DJ, groaned.
“Second, it’s written by Rogers and Hammerstein.”
“Is Harper gay?” whispered Taylor and those close enough to hear it laughed, although DJ did not. Fortunately, Mr. Harper didn’t seem to hear, not that he’d care, since most kids knew he was married, and that his pretty wife, Mrs. Harper, taught English.
“Third, it’s a war story.” He paused and looked out over the class now. “Any guesses?”
“White Christmas?” shouted a girl.
“No, but that’s a good guess…although White Christmas was an Irving Berlin production.”
“Sure he’s not gay?” said Taylor a bit more loudly, followed by more laughter.
“No, he’s not gay,” said Mr. Harper. “Did you have a guess, Miss Mitchell?”
“Did Mitzi Gaynor star in it?”
He looked surprised and then nodded. “Care to wager a guess?”
“That’s okay. I don’t want to spoil your surprise.”
“Okay, my fourth clue is that it’s set in an exotic location.” Now he pantomimed a drummer as someone behind the scenes played the audio for a drum roll. “We will be performing South Pacific!“
Some of the kids cheered, some clapped, but most of them seemed unfamiliar with the choice. Taylor feigned a yawn. What an actress.
“Okay,” he said, pointing toward the movie screen, which was already in place. “Let’s roll some film.”
The movie was actually sort of interesting once they got into it, but DJ wasn’t too sure about all that singing and dancing. She, for one, couldn’t carry a tune in a wheelbarrow. Then, when the movie stopped in the middle of an exciting scene, everyone moaned and complained.