Her smile changes. Now it’s got a mischievous edge. “Is that what you were planning?”
I lean closer. “Of course.”
“Well, that’s not how this works.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised that even movie night isn’t what I expect it to be with you, should I?” I ask, realizing it even as I say it.
Nothing about being in Rebel has been as expected, and about ninety percent of that has to do with this woman.
“I guess I could have explained it to you. But I didn’t want to spoil the surprise,” she says.
“What surprise?”
“The surprise of it being your favorite movie tonight.”
“Oh, yeah…that is a surprise. Why did you want it to bemyfavorite movie?”
“Because the town wants to get to know you, and someone’s favorite movie says a lot about them,” she says. “I send out the name of the movie ahead of time, and everyone watches it on their own time, and then we get together to talk about it. Or whatever else comes up.”
Obviously. I look out at the crowd in the park. “This is…chaotic.”
“It’s not. Not really. Not if you understand what’s going on.” She pauses. “It’s like hockey.”
I laugh. “How so?”
“It’s like you said at Perks and Rec the other night. On the surface, it might look chaotic, but when you’re in it, you see that it’s working just the way it’s supposed to.”
I did say that. And that is true of hockey. The game is fast-paced with lots of moving parts, and it can look like a bunch of guys skating around, constantly chasing a puck, but there’s offensive and defensive strategy, and when seasoned players hit that puck, they know what to expect.
“Movie night is supposed to devolve into talk about birds?”
“It’s notdevolving!” she protests, looking a little offended. “Yes, if our goal was to sit here and quietly watch a movie, then sure, what’s happening now would seem like the event is falling apart. But our goal is to just all be together and have a good time.” She looks at the group gathered and smiles. “Mission accomplished.”
“That’s it?” I ask. “Just get together and have fun?”
She nods. “It’s always about community and enjoyment and including everyone and making the town better. Sometimes the conduit for that is a movie, sometimes it’s gardening, sometimes it’s otters.”
“That’s…”
“Not what you expected.”
“Right.”
She gives me a thoughtful look. “I get it. Your perception of something’s success and worth really depends on why you’re doing it. Like, if you’re at a hockey game to score a lot of points and have amazing statistics and get a win, when things go off the rails it will feel very different to you than it will for me who comes to that same game, sits in the stands, has a great time with my family and friends no matter the final score.”
“We’re talking about the Revelers now?” I ask. “You’re saying movie night and hockey games where the team sings, and dances are the same thing?”
She shakes her head. “Yes, and no. I’m talking about you and me more broadly. Your goal for your career was hockey—playing, scoring, winning. Then you got hurt and couldn’t do those things anymore. You were used to having all of that govern your life, and then it was suddenly gone. Then you come here and have a chance to play again, but the goal isn’t the same. Becausemygoal is to bring people together and give them a good time.
“I took hockey and made it evenmoreentertaining for the peoplewatching. Because that’s always my goal. But it changes the game for you. It’s not what you expected. It’s not straightforward. It’s not just about the points on the board or even the rules as you know them. I can understand why that would feel really chaotic and out of your control.”
I frown. Dammit. She hit the nail directly on the head.
But she’s not apologizing. Or saying she’s going to change things.
I don’t feel panic or resentment, though. Nora is in charge. It might be a constant string of what-the-hell-is-happening events while I’m here, but if she’s leading the way, at least it will be done with heart.
I look around the park.Thisis life in Rebel. This is life in Nora Delaune’s orbit.
