“Who are you taking?”
“I was hoping to take you…” I said, almost a little too desperate sounding.
“No can do,” he said. “I already have plans with Amani.”
“Okay, I think I might just go next door…”
“Erika, you sly dog, you,” Johnny joked.
“It’s not like that,” I said a little too quickly.
“Keep telling yourself that.”
I hung up the phone, walked next door, and knocked on Kirk’s door. He opened it wearing a pair of low-rise jeans and a T-shirt. He immediately rested his hand on top of the door and leaned against it, which caused the bottom of his T-shirt to rise high enough for me to see the muscles of his stomach. It took all my powers not to swoon.
“What are you doing this afternoon?” I asked.
“Grading, then picking up Carissra from the bus station at 7:00. Why?”
“I know this is last minute, but wanna come seeThe Phantom of the Operawith me?”
“Today?”
“I have two tickets. My mother told me I needed to find my joy. AndPhantomwas the first show I ever saw. It was a touring production my mother took me to. It’s the show that made me fall in love with musical theater. Now, don’t get me wrong, the show has faults—a ton of faults—but it will always be one of my favorites. It introduced me to this crazy world I now live in.”
“I don’t know…”
“Come on, how often do you get to go seePhantomas a guest of the Phantom himself?”
“I have nothing to wear,” he said.
“Just wear what you would wear to teach.”
“I’m usually in khakis and a sweater these days. Not exactly what one wears to the theater, is it?” he asked.
“Wow, you haven’t been to the theater recently?”
“Not since like maybe grade school,” he admitted.
“Trust me, you’ll be dressed perfectly fine.”
“Okay, if you’re sure…”
“Trust me, I’m sure.”
“Then why not? Like you said. I can honestly say the Phantom has never invited me to anything before.”
“Amazeballs!”
“Did you really just say that?” he asked, wrinkling his face at me.
“I did, and I stand by it. Pick you up in an hour?”
“I’ll be ready.”
And like that, I had a date to the theater and the chance to reclaim my joy.
The show was terrific, as always. And Jerrod, the guy playing the Phantom, was absolutely a doll. He introduced us to everyone. Though he flirted with Kirk more than I would have liked. But what can I say, the Phantom has good taste. After the show, Kirk and I had sushi before heading to the Port Authority to pick up Carissra.
