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Denise unplugged the cord, put aside the lid, and dumped the popcorn into the plastic bowl. When she set the popper down, Kara tossed in a chunk of butter. It met the hot metal, sizzled and started to melt. |
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'I'll do the butter and salt,' Kara said. 'You can get the drinks. I think I'll have a New York Seltzer. Do you know what Tom likes?' |
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'He's big on Pepsi, if you've got some.' |
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Denise went to the refrigerator. It was loaded: cans of Bud, Diet Coke and Pepsi, bottles of New York Seltzer and Michelob, a jug of white wine. She took out two Pepsis and a bottle of cherry-flavored seltzer. |
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'I hope he gets here pretty soon,' Kara said. 'Popcorn's best when it's hot. It's OK after it's cooled off, but I think it loses something, don't you?' |
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'What'll we do when he gets here?' Kara asked, looking away from the melting butter and furrowing her brow with concern. 'I really don't think we should bore him with the birthday party, do you?' |
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'We can put on whatever you want.' Denise took three glasses down from a cupboard, then returned to the refrigerator for ice cubes. |
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'I have some movies Mom taped off cable for me.' |
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As Kara started to name them, Denise thought about the tapes she'd rented for tonight. She wished she |
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