John Guggenheim, no connection to the museum, was enjoying himself on Thursday evening as he and his wife, Marisa Jackson,

were gathered at Flynns Pub with some of the other young adults from their church who didnt disapprove of having a beer or a glass of wine at the end of the day. These outing were not printed up in the church bulletin, nor were they ever openly discussed during Coffee Hour, but they werent strictly secret either. Most people who went with the intention of gathering with other young believers were single professionals who didnt have children or spouses to go home and tend to. This was probably what theyd be doing anything, John figured. At least this way there were sipping libations with fellow Christians around. How much trouble could they get into? He thought delusively. John spent most of the evening with some of the other young men. They talked about TV, work, the big game, that time when they were twelve two of them (Noah and David) snuck into the church afterhours and drank the Communion grape juice in the Deacons Closet, and how one of them (John) had prayed for Gods peace to get him through the Big Presentation at work that week. Eventually one of the guys asked where Marisa was. John looked about for her and spotted her on a barstool chatting with another woman. There she is, he said, pointing. Who is that with her? asked David. Its Leah, said Noah. Leah? Whats she doing here? asked Peter. Leah Michaelson was not one of the young members who would have been at Flynns on purpose to gather with the body. She was one of the, um, black sheep in the flock, if John had to put a label on her. She likes this place. Comes here all the time, said David. How do you know that? asked John. Were friends, said David slowly, not sure why it mattered. She lives across the street. You think Leah is going to go further than she has to? That wouldnt be her style, added Peter. Leah, David, Marisa, Peter and Noah had all known each other since middle school, some since birth, having grown up going to the church. I dont think she likes me, said John absently. You dont say, said David with a heavy sigh. Peter and Noah looked pointedly away. All three of them had been subjected to a serious Anti-John tirade when he and Marisa got engaged. Yeah, I dont know why. Shes never said anything outright, but I get a vibe every time I talk to her. Thats weird, said Peter flatly. I dont know, it might be all in my head. The guys perked up at that. If thats what he felt then he might drop the subject. You might be right, buddy, said David, clapping him on the shoulder. Wait, youre friends with her, has she said anything? Dude, said David evasively. Trust me, we dont talk about you. And recently that was true. In the two years since the wedding, Leah had mostly gotten over it. Her annoyance generally manifesting itself in eye rolls.

What do you talk about? pressed John. Dude No, Im interested. She and Marisa are really good friends. Im tired of being the bad guy. Different things, man. We talk about life, you know? David put a hand on Johns shoulder, Look, Leah is something you have to put up with. You have to figure her out for yourself before you can appreciate her. Right, Noah? said Peter with a sly grin. Noah punched him in the arm. You suck, dude, he said before walking away. Dont blame me! Peter called after him. You dated her! The funny thing being none of them, especially Peter, blamed him for dating her. Im going to go over there and make nice, said John. Good luck, said David. Praying for you, man! said Peter. The two men watched their friend walk toward the two women. This is going to be awkward, said David and signaled the bartender for another beer. John had been trying for years to figure out what hed done to Leah that caused her to be so cold toward him. She was warm and friendly with the boys, even Noah. She was one of Marisas best friends. She was generally supportive of her friends relationships. Hed watched her praise Emily for dating a new comer to the church; shed encouraged Ben when he courted Sarah; shed even coated Naomi through a very successful first date with Noah. But all his attempts at friendship had been met with a wall of ice. He figured shed gladly help Marisa leave him if, God forbid, that were ever to happen. Hed asked Marisa once when they were dating if Leah hated him. She told him Leah hadnt said anything, but then again, she wouldnt. It was Leahs way. Marisa called Leah a very neutral friend; she was all about letting people make their own decisions and not sticking her nose in their business, Marisa had said. If a friend came to Leah and asked her what she thought then, and only then, would she tell them unless it had to do with clothes, Marisa had added. As John got closer he heard Marisa say: No way! How did that happen? Well, answered Leah, He was a little stoned. Leah rolled her eyes and bobbed her head a little as she said it, a gesture of mock-sheepishness. John had witnessed that moved many times. It meant that Leah was reluctant to admit what she was saying, but also titillated by it at the same time. But you like him, right? asked Marisa. So they were talking about a guy. Oh, I adore him! declared Leah. You cant date a guy who smokes pot, said John, somewhat abruptly. Immediately Leah stiffened. She stared blankly at John. Oh, hey, honey, said Marisa a little awkwardly. She slipped an arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. I can date, John, anyone I like, said Leah somehow not pointedly enough for John.

No, you cant! he insisted. A guy who smokes pot isnt going anywhere with his life. Believe me. So you are saying that every college sophomore isnt going anywhere with their lives? Well, youre not dating college sophomores! Preferably not, but thats not up to you. You have to exercise some restraint. You have to be responsible and discerning when choosing who you date. You cant just shack up with some non-believer because you think hes fun and hot. So I should wait and hold on to my virginity for some self-righteous man who thinks imbibing on a Thursday night is just this side of sinful? Having a beer one night a week isnt that bad! cried John getting angry. He didnt know why he tried. She was always like this. Always so impossible. Preaching against sin while engaging in another is pretty self-righteous, if you ask me. Im not trying to be a hypocrite, Im just looking out for you! Why? Because youre my sister-in-Christ and someone has to! Leah stared at John for a half a minute. Her eyes darted to Marisa then back to John. Look, John, if I were you, Id look after my own affairs. Leave others to manage their own. Im just trying to help, he said lamely as Leah gathered her pocketbook and coat. Again she wasnt paying any attention to John. Ill call you tomorrow, sweetie, she was saying and hugged Marisa. Please! I need to know what happens! Dont you worry! Youll get every salacious detail! With a saucy wink at Marisa and nary a glance at John, Leah flounced out of Flynns and across the street to her apartment. John sat in her empty seat bewildered. He stared absently at Leahs untouched glass on the bar. Was this her second drink? he asked numbly. Her first, said Marisa evenly. John sighed. I dont understand why she Youve got to stop, honey, Marisa cut him off. John was shocked. Shed never spoken so sharply to him before. What? Youve got to leave Leah alone. Telling her what to do is no way to endear yourself to her. Im not trying to tell her what to do! But you are. Youve been talking down to her ever since you met her. Im only trying to help her. John, honey, has she ever asked for your help? Well, not exactly

No. John, the answer is No. She hardly asks for my advice why would she ask you? John looked abashed. Its nothing personal! She just doesnt often ask for help. And it isnt because shes afraid to or is too proud to. Leah asks for help when she needs it. If she doesnt then she doesnt need it. Tonight she was telling me a story about someone we both know and you made an assumption. You told her what to do with her life. It was well meant. And she would say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. John, we werent even talking about someone shes dating. It sounded like you were. But we werent. You assumed. You deserve to have your head bitten off for that. John toyed with Leahs untouched glass, spilling a little in the process. He licked his hand, surprised to taste ginger ale. I know you want Leah to like you because shes my friend, but this isnt the way to do it, honey. By treating her like a child you are only alienating her. I would love for my husband and my friend to be friends, but youll catch more bees with honey, honey. John felt sheepish as his wife placed her hand on the side of his face and rubbed his cheek. She loved him; he could see it in her eyes. I love you, he said. I know. I like your friend. And shell like if you would only get off her case all the time. Ill try. I will. I love you, said Marisa. Lets go home. After Leah stormed out of Flynns she didnt really feel like going home right away. And she was hungry. There was a 24 hour deli down the road a little ways. She could get a pastrami sandwich and French fries and the joke of the day from Efraim Lebowitz. As she pushed the door open she bumped into someone. Oh, Im so sorry, I didnt see you there, I . Noah? Noah turned toward her. Hey Leah. Are you ok? Noah laughed. Im fine. You barely touched me. Leah smiled and nodded. I thought you were still at Flynns, he said. Yeah, well, John decided to be friendly. You know he means well. He has a funny way of doing it, she said rolling her eyes. Just then Efraim came back to the counter. Hey! Leah! How are you tonight? Im good Efraim. How are you?

Im still here, he joked, banging his palm on the counter. And were all better for that! Youre sweet, young lady! Let me guess pastrami sandwich and salt and pepper fries? Nail on the head, Efraim! Cant get anything past you! Ill be right back with that. Noah, yours is almost ready. Meatball? Leah asked him. Cant get anything past you, said Noah with a wry smile. Howve you been? Its been a while. Im ok, Leah. You dont have to worry about me. Sure? I saw Naomi last week and she said Im not interested in what she said, Lee, please. Noahs eyes pleaded with her. Leah nodded. Hows your softball team doing this season? Pretty well. David almost didnt come back. What would you have done? Where would you have found another pitcher? Well, Peters gotten a lot better, insisted Noah. Please, Peter couldnt hit the broadside of a barn. Keep him as catcher. Noah laughed. Youre always right, arent you? No, not really. Leah smiled ruefully. Here you kids go, said Efraim placing two paper bags on the counter. Noah and Leah paid for their respective meals and bid Efraim a good night. Where are you going with that sub? asked Leah on the sidewalk. I cant handle that crowd anymore tonight. I was going to head home. By the time you get home that sub is going to be cold. Why dont you come over to mine and we can catch up and not talk about Naomi if you dont want to. We can talk about the Red Sox and Carolines birthday party and those ladies who are trying to shut down the bowling alley. Ok! Ok! Noah laughed. Ill come over on one condition. Whats that? That we dont talk about Carolines birthday party and do you have any orange soda? Absolutely. To which? To both. You know I do my grocery shopping on Wednesdays. Alright, lets go, were burning, um, night light Leah laughed. Come on. Leah led Noah up the stairs to the main entrance to the apartments over the storefronts, feeling a little nervous, not really sure what she was asking for, but excited at the same time. She was happy they were going to catch up, no matter what else happened. At the same time John was getting into the car with Marisa also a unsure of what was going to happen, but feeling pretty ok with whatever life had to bring them. Both couples were learning that sometimes the best thing to do, when you love someone,

is to just sit back and let them do what they need to do, let them talk if they need to talk, and give them time to do what they need to do and not immediately do it for them. Because they all knew that love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. These words floated through Leahs mind as Noah unfolded the saga of him and Naomi at her kitchen table, a place where he once wrote her a note in ketchup that told her Happy Birthday and promised to clean it up. The passages made their way into Johns mind as Marisa told him the story of how she and Leah used to sneak out of their cabin every summer on the Teen Camping Trip, climb the fence separating the beach from the boating area and theyd sit at the very end of the long dock with their heads hanging off the end and theyd stare up at the stars and tell each other secrets and talk about books and music. Noah thought of these passages as he remembered the time he and Leah climbed to the top of the town water tower and he told her that he wanted to ask out Naomi. Marisa remembered the verses as she thought of the day John asked her to marry him. None of them knew what the future would bring, but, for that night, all four pushed the future from their minds as they sat with someone they loved.