Page 126 of One Small Spark

Fran: It’s bound to be a hoot

Ada: I’ve heard it’s quite romantic

Nora: If you like country music

Rosetta: It’s easy enough to pick up

Rosetta: If you have the right partner

Barb: If we’re planning to back out again at the last minute, I’ll just do that now

Isabel: I don’t know what you’re talking about

Isabel: I didn’t plan my headache

Wren: Allergies

Fran: I call dibs on Shepherd

Fran: I bethe’s a good dancer

Nora: I thought Shepherd would dance with all of us

Wren: Now, ladies

Wren: I don’t share my man

Ada: …

Isabel: …

Rosetta: …

Nora: Is this true?

Shepherd: Yes. I am a good dancer

Shepherd: But it’s also true that I’m Wren’s man

Ada: Hallelujah!

Isabel: Finally!

Barb: So we can cancel dancing?

Rosetta: I hope everyone’s happy with the outcome

Wren: Extremely

Shepherd: Never been more satisfied with a book club

THIRTY-SIX

SHEPHERD

Tryingto look casual and unaffected when my vital organs feel like they’ve been chopped to bits on a butcher block is tough work. It’s way too late to ask Lila to cover the entire presentation, but the thought has crossed my mind.

Approximately seven hundred times.