Let's split...

Turning to Kelly. “So what else is there to do on a Friday evening around here? Aside from watching you do the splits, that is.” The moment you say it, a horrified look of shock creeps across your face. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

Kelly’s face is still a bit red from Andi’s comment as she chuckles. “Don’t worry about it, John.” She grins at you. “This is pretty much the high point of the weekend. Sarah watches her reality shows and sitcoms. Andi plays her video games, jogs, and goes to a concert, game group, or convention with some of her friends. And I do homework and my exercises and try to relax on the weekends I’m not doing a show.”

“So you don’t have a show this weekend?”

“Naw.” Kelly stands up and takes her dirty dishes into the sink. “The show seasons really don’t pick up until early in the fall. So I have a couple of months to go before things get really hectic.” Kelly reaches for the dishwashing soap.

You stand up slowly, a playful grin on your face. “Well, then, teacher, what do you say we go play hooky? You can show me all the hip, happenin’ places here in town.”

Kelly laughs as she turns to face you and leans against the sink. “Well, Andi said she would do the dishes…”

“Hey, it’s what she gets for harassing you,” you tell Kelly off-handedly.

“Works for me!” Kelly grins at you. You have a very fleeting thought about how easily it would be to get lost in that cute, mischievous smile of hers. “Let me get my purse and keys and we’ll be off.” In less than three minutes, Kelly comes back with a simple, small black purse over her shoulder and matching black sandles, blue jeans, and a T-shirt for what you assume is one of the local dance troupes. “Shall we go?” she asks.