He grinned as he waited for her reply. When they were in high school, the chamber choir kids had become obsessed with Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway show.
Aurora: I wish I could watch it.
Duncan: Well, there’s this program that lets people watch Netflix together, as long as one of them has it. I can invite you to stream it with me.
Duncan gnawed his lip—it wasn’t a date. It was two friends watching a show. That was all.
Aurora: That’s so nice of you! When works for you?
Duncan: I’m not doing anything.
Aurora: The dusting can wait. I’ll get online once I put some popcorn into the microwave.
Duncan: Good idea! I’ll send you the link.
Duncan sent her a link through Skype, and when she clicked on it, he had both her and the opening of the movie on his screen. Aurora was settled in her armchair with her laptop, a bowl of popcorn and drink on the side table.
“Awesome, we can chat and watch the movie at the same time?”
“I’ve never used it before myself, but I knew it existed. You ready?” He popped some of his own popcorn in his mouth.
“Yep.” Aurora reached over and held up her bowl. “Let’s watch some fractured fairy tales.”
Duncan chuckled as the movie started, and the narrator came on stage.
When the film ended, Aurora’s bowl of popcorn was empty, and her eyes were heavy, but she didn’t want to hang up. “Remember how we used to beg Mr. Robinson to do that musical?”
“Yeah, he said he didn’t want to eliminate the chorus.”
“It wouldn’t have been popular, he was right. It would have been like trying to do1776.”
“We didn’t have enough guys for1776.”
“That too. And the girls would have been fighting over only two roles.”
“That reminds me. Did you ever seeHamilton?”
“Yeah, my friend loaned us her password when the Hamilfilm was released so I could see it. I loved it so much. It’s likeInto the Woodshad a baby with1776and raised it on hip-hop andRent!”
At her description, Duncan threw back his head in hysterical laughter.
“That’s exactly what it is! You’re so right, Roar.”
She grinned. “What’s your favorite part?”
He rapped the line where Alexander compares himself to the colonies.
She giggled.
“What’s yours?”
“When Angelica shows up after the Reynolds Pamphlet. Alex is trying to talk to her, he’s so glad she came, and she tells him she’s there for Eliza.”
Duncan cocked his head at her. “Is it ’cause you’re the older sister?”
“Maybe.” Aurora finished her drink. “When Liz and I fought, my parents used to tell us, ‘Someday we won’t be here, and all you’ll have left is your sister.’ And they taught us to respect each other as equals. Kinda morbid, but true. And it worked. We’re really close.” She met Duncan’s eyes through her screen.
“That explains a lot.” He released a small sigh. “My parents didn’t like each other enough to give me a sibling.”
