Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans Page B

what was she like?”
    â€œTennys was…” I hesitated. “Tennys is the kind of girl you describe in stereotypes.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œShe was popular. Homecoming queen, head cheerleader, you know.”
    Macy stifled a laugh.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s just…I don’t see you dating the homecoming queen.”
    I didn’t tell her that I was voted homecoming king. “Why?”
    â€œYou’re much… deeper.”
    â€œNo, we’re both pretty shallow. Between the two of us we couldn’t make a decent wading pool.”
    Macy laughed. “What was her personality like? Typical snob?”
    â€œNo, Tennys was nice.”
    â€œNice?”
    â€œYeah. She was really pleasant.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œShe just kind of went along with everything. No drama, no problems. The joy of the unexamined life.”
    â€œJust like me,” Macy said, then burst out laughing. “You should have married her when you had the chance.”
    I smiled and pulled Macy closer. “Yeah, I probably should have.”
    â€œSo are you still planning on coming to dinner tomorrow at Bonnie’s?”
    I had forgotten about it. “Of course. Do you want me to drive?”
    â€œIf you don’t mind. I don’t like driving that much.”
    â€œThat’s because you’re bad at it.”
    She hit me. “I am not bad at it.”
    â€œYes, you are. You almost hit a light post the night we met.”
    â€œIt was a blizzard. I should have let you walk home like you were going to.”
    â€œYou should have. Now you’re stuck with me.”
    â€œYeah. I hope so.”
    I leaned forward to kiss her again. The patio light beganflashing on and off like a strobe light. Macy pulled back. “I told you.”
    â€œIs she serious?”
    â€œNo. She’s just teasing. It’s like an inside joke.”
    â€œThis happens often?”
    Macy smiled coyly. “Now and then.”
    â€œSo what about you? Where’s your boyfriend?”
    â€œI’ve been on a hiatus from boys.”
    â€œFor how long?”
    â€œSince summer. Ever since I broke up with my last boyfriend.”
    â€œWere you serious?”
    â€œNot as serious as he was.” The lights began flashing again and she shook her head slowly. “She drives me crazy,” she said happily. “I better go.” She leaned forward and we kissed again, and again. Finally she whispered, “Good night.”
    â€œGood night.”
    She climbed out of the car and bounded up the walk. When she was inside, I started my car and drove home. I definitely could see myself getting too serious.



Somewhere between the main course and coffee, Mrs. Foster served up a new paradigm.
    MARK SMART’S DIARY

We arrived at Bonnie’s house a few minutes before one. We rang the bell and she hollered to us to let ourselves in. We found her in the kitchen, rushing from pot to pot. Macy stepped in to help. Bonnie assigned me to set the table, then take Fred, her dog, out for a “constitutional,” which I did. All of us, dog included, finished our assignments about the same time. We gathered in the kitchen and sat down to eat.
    Bonnie had cooked a pot roast along with fresh green beans, mashed potatoes and hot butter flake rolls. I hadn’t eaten a meal like that since I left home. Halfway through the meal Bonnie asked, “How long have you been in Utah, Mark?”
    My mouth was full, and I had to finish chewing and swallow before I could answer…“I came here about a year and a half ago.”
    â€œHow often do you go back home?”
    â€œI haven’t been back since I came.”
    â€œI bet your parents miss you.”
    â€œMark just lost his mother,” Macy said.
    She looked at me sympathetically. “I’m sorry. That’s a hard thing. How’s your father holding up?”
    â€œI think