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door.
    â€œMichael . . .” Mrs. Hailey said, “it’s so nice to
     see you again.”
    â€œMrs. Hailey . . . this is Katherine Danziger,” Michael told
     her.
    â€œHello,” I said.
    â€œCome in . . . come in . . .” Mrs. Hailey said, looking me
     over. “Everyone’s downstairs . . . Michael, you know the way.”
    Could she have said that for my benefit, just to let me know that Michael
     had been there before?
    It was a big party—maybe thirty or forty kids—and as soon as
     the cast arrived everyone surrounded them, offering congratulations. Michael gave Artie
     a couple of friendly slugs, then bent down and whispered something to him, and Artie
     smiled, nodded and said, “Thanks, buddy.”
    Elizabeth’s father took movies of us for the next halfhour. Artie really hammed it up. Michael kissed Elizabeth on the
     side of her face and said, “That part was made for you . . . you were
     great.” And Elizabeth answered, “I’m glad you thought so.”
    I walked away with a sinking feeling in my stomach. Sybil was standing in
     the corner talking to some boy. I went over to her and said, “I enjoyed the play a
     lot . . . you were good.”
    Sybil laughed. “Thanks, but I know better . . .” She
     introduced me to the boy who turned out to be Elizabeth’s younger brother. I
     wondered if he would make her list.
    Erica took me aside, looked in Artie’s direction, and said,
     “He’s flying very high . . . I wouldn’t be surprised if
     tonight’s the night . . .”
    â€œGood luck,” I said, without enthusiasm.
    â€œOh, here you are.” Michael stood next to me and reached for
     my hand.
    â€œHave we met?” I asked, pulling away.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œNothing,” I said. “Just forget it.” I made my way
     over to Artie, who was sitting on the couch surrounded by fans. When I got a chance I
     said, “I know you’ve heard this all night but you were really
     sensational.”
    â€œThanks, Kath.” He moved over, making room for me beside
     him.
    â€œHow’d you do it? You actually convinced me you were
     blind.”
    â€œI don’t know . . . it just comes naturally.”
    â€œSeriously, Artie . . .”
    â€œI’m serious. I don’t know how I do it. I’ve
     always wanted to act . . . ever since I can remember.”
    â€œYou mean for real . . . professionally?”
    â€œYeah . . . it’s tough to get started but I’m going to
     give it a try.”
    â€œI think you’re going to make it.”
    â€œI hope you’re right . . . where’s my buddy?”
    â€œOver there . . . talking to Erica . . .”
    â€œHey . . .” Artie called, motioning for Michael and Erica to
     join us.
    This time Michael didn’t reach for my hand.
    I watched and waited all night for some secret look to pass between
     Elizabeth and Michael but as far as I could tell nothing happened and when we finally
     got around to talking she was just plain friendly and even said that she remembered me
     from New Year’s Eve, which only made me feel worse.
    The party was still going strong when Michael said, “Let’s get
     out of here.”
    â€œWhy . . . aren’t you having a good time?” I asked.
    â€œNot especially . . . are you?”
    I didn’t answer. I went upstairs to get my coat and sulked all the
     way home. Michael didn’t say a word. He didn’t even look my way.
    When we got to my house I unlocked the front door. “Are you coming
     in?” I asked him.
    â€œDo you want me to?”
    â€œIf you want,” I said, like it really
     didn’t matter.
    â€œIt’s up to