"So where are you going then, on this hot date of yours?" asked Hannah.

"Oh, god, don't use that word!" exclaimed Rona. "It's so high-schoolish. It's not a date, it's just . . . hanging out, with a possibility of more hanging out further down the line."

Hannah laughed. "Rona, sweetheart, I've known you too long for you to bluff me that easily. You're as excited as a kitten, I can tell."

"Shush, you!" Rona pouted, almost as if for practice. "Anyway, it's not like we're going to a movie or to a candle-lit dinner or anything. We're just going to a bar for a couple of drinks, and maybe hang around to listen to the band."

"Sounds sweet!"

"What? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, it means nothing! I'm sure you'll have fun. I'm sure you'll make a lovely couple."

"Hannah, you're not helping."

"Helping what?"

"You're making me nervous."

"What's to be nervous about? It's not like it's a date or anything. Apparently."

Rona buried her face in her hand. "But it is! That's exactly what it is! And I haven't been on one in so long. What if I fuck it up?"

"Well if you're gonna get this stressed about it, you probably will fuck it up."

"That doesn't help!"

Hannah laughed. "Rona - breathe. Are you breathing? Are you calm?"

"Yes" Rona grumbled.

"Yeah" muttered Hannah, "I can tell. It sounds like I've got some kind of sex-offender on the other end of the line. No, no, no, no, no, shut up" she said hastily as Rona started to complain. "Shut up and listen to me. Now. You asked this guy out, right?"

"Right . . ."

"And - he said yes, right? It must be so, because you're going on a date with him."

"Yeah, I guess so . . ."

"Okay. So. You're two people who want to have a time out together, having a time out together. Just fucking enjoy yourself!"

"Oh, well, I didn't know it was so easy" said Rona sarcastically. "What's with the interest, anyway?"

"What do you mean? You're my friend!"

"Hannah, I've know you as long as you've known me."

Hannah grumbled with mild irritation. "Well if I can't live vicariously through my friend's romances, what can I do?"