“Your brother Pat’s my age,” he noted off-handedly. “And there’s another sister between you?”
“Libby,” said AJ. “She’s nineteen. We’re two and two.”
“Very orderly,” said Noah. “So you’re seventeen?”
“Yes,” said AJ.
He nodded. “I’ve never had a little sister,” he said with ease. “It seems fun.”
The words hit AJ like a blow.I see you like a little sisterwas implied.
She stood up to hide her disappointment. “You might not like it,” she said crisply. “Having someone around all the time. It can get annoying.”
There was something she couldn’t name in Noah’s gaze.
“Try me,” he said.
Then he offered her his hand.
AJ stared at it, thinking of all he’d said, of the recommendation, of the strange pull between them. And of that word he’d used about her: talent.
AJ longed to be talented most of all.
“Okay,” she agreed, palm to palm, her hand in his.
And that was how they became scene partners.
Eudora didn’t seem atall surprised to see AJ at Drew House the next day.
“Oh good, there you are,” she said breezily, adjusting her beige cashmere ensemble as she ushered AJ into the drawing room. “Noah just got back from Chesterfield. I’ll call him down.”
Simmons was in Chesterfield, so Noah had been to see his mother. AJ waited on the antique sofa, watching sun swirl through dust particles.
When Eudora reappeared, her fluid movements called Glimmette to mind; she looked rejuvenated and full of purpose.
Presently, Noah arrived through the wide-framed doorway wearing a gray T-shirt and jeans. His expression was somber as he passed Eudora, but his eyes lit when they connected with AJ’s. He took the vacant seat beside her, and AJ tried to suppress the flutter in her stomach.
“Right,” said Eudora. AJ watched in amazement as she produced a clipboard and a blue Gelly Roll pen adorned, inexplicably, with a silk flower. “We’ll start with the fundamentals.”
Eudora began each session by warming them up using Method acting exercises.
“Repetitions!” she’d announce.
Then she had AJ and Noah stare into each other’s eyes and repeat what they heard in an infinite regress.
“Hello,” said AJ.
“Hello,” said Noah.
“Hello,” said AJ.
“Hello,” said Noah.
At first, AJ’s only point of awareness was her own blushing face. Butthen she remembered that Noah thought of her as a sister, and her mind quieted.
Soon, the word began to sound different.
“Helloi,” said Noah.
