samster: u coming to the show?
kay22: u bet. got tickets?
samster: yeah.
Sam grinned as he tucked his black Motorola phone into his pocket. The expression gave him a rakish charm that was added to by his wind-ruffled hair.
She should be here any minute. If there was anything that Kay Rowan hated, it was tardiness. Sam could picture her face: that fierce line around her eyes; the way her mouth turned down. She would place her hands on her hips, like so.
All right, he thought. They might be almost engaged, but that was out of line. He fingered the ring he'd picked; he'd ask her tonight, after the show.
**
Kay tapped her foot. "Mom, you promised! And Sam's going to be there!"
Her mother sighed. "I did promise, but Kevin has to be watched...."
"I can take him with me! What's the trouble?"
Admitting defeat, Mom slid a five-dollar bill onto the table. "Have fun."
She certainly planned on it. Now, if only she didn't have to bring Kevin...
**
Wonder of wonders, Kay was late. There had been no further messages.
Sam sighed. He hoped she got here soon; the auditorium was already filling up.
As if his thought were a summons, she appeared in the doorway. Her hair was half-braided; her little brother, Kevin, held onto her arm.
"Sorry," she said. "Is the theater full, Foracker?"
