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free card tonight, did ya’?”
    Smiling from ear to ear she said, “I sure did. I had to do a lot of scrubbing and cleaning to earn the money, but I made it. She gave me two dollars.”
    “Are we going to see The Hustler? ” Mary Margaret asked.
    Katie and Susie looked at each other and giggled.
    “That’s the one we’re going to see. Paul Newman is just too dreamy to miss,” Katie said. “It’s either that or The Parent Trap. I’d rather look at Paul Newman than Hayley Mills any day.”
    “But Mom said we’re supposed to see The Parent Trap . She said she doesn’t want us to be influenced by the gambling in The Hustler ,” Linda said, her brow furrowed.
    “You’d better not tell her, either, or we’ll never take you and Mary Margaret anywhere again,” Susie warned. “And if she asks, you’d better lie.”
    “But I’ll have to go to confession,” Linda said.
    “Then go to confession, but make sure you don’t spill the beans.”
    Linda shrugged her shoulders. “Okay. I won’t tell.”
    They arrived at the theater and parked in the parking lot. A line was already forming at the ticket window, and they waited a few minutes to pay their fifty cents and get their movie ticket. Inside, they bought a large popcorn and a box of jujubes to share.
    The movie was over all too soon for the four girls.
    They linked arms as they walked back to the car.
    “Is he just the dreamiest man ever?” Linda said, leaning close to Mary Margaret. “Those blue eyes make me want to forget that I’m a good Catholic school girl.”
    “I heard that, Linda Gardener,” said Katie. “You better never forget you’re a good Catholic school girl.”
    “You shut up, Katie. You’re not supposed to be listening in on my conversation.”
    “Then don’t talk so loud, brat.” Katie opened the car door and got in on the driver’s side. “Just get in so we can go to McDonald’s. I’m starved.”
    Mary Margaret listened to the exchange between the sisters, and wished for the umpteenth time that she had a big sister to fight with. Her house was pretty lonely at times.
    The parking lot of McDonald’s was packed. They drove through several times before a space became available.
    “Thanks be to God,” Katie said. “I’m so hungry I could eat four burgers.”
    The girls got out and walked to the windows to order their food.
    “That’s weird,” Linda said.
    “What is?” Susie asked.
    “I think that’s the new priest at the church. He’s sitting over there in his green car eating a burger. Don’t turn around and look right now. Try to be casual about it.”
    “What’s weird about it?” Katie asked. “Priests like to eat out, too.”
    “But on Saturday night at McDonald’s? Everyone knows this is a teenage hang out on Saturday evening. It’s like he’s spying on us to see what kinds of things we do when we’re out on the town,” Linda said.
    One at a time, the girls took turns, swiveling around to look.
    Mary Margaret was the last one to casually gaze in the direction of the car. And sure enough, there Father Antonio sat. Mary Margaret briefly raised her hand and waved at him.
    “Why are you waving? Do you know him?” Katie asked. “He’s really boss.”
    “I know him just to say hello,” Mary Margaret answered, remembering what he had told her earlier in the day. “My parents had him over for dinner last night, and I see him once in awhile at the rectory.”
    “Oh my gosh! Father Antonio was over at your house? What did you talk about?” Susie had her arm linked through Mary Margaret’s. “Tell us everything.”
    “We didn’t talk about anything. My parents did all the talking. I was just the maid.”
    “Come on you guys, it’s our turn. Let’s get some food,” Katie said, forgetting about Father Antonio.
    As Mary Margaret walked back to the car with her burger, fries and coke, she stole another glance at Father. He still sat in the car looking in her direction. She reminded herself to tell