“In that cupboard? Bring out all the red wine and put the white in the refrigerator. As many bottles as there’s room for. We need the serving dishes out, but I’m the only one who knows where they are, and I’m not sure what Oscar has in mind. He’s put together the whole meal.”

That explained the mess. “Just point me in the right direction.” I wanted some difficult task, something I could accomplish that would astound and please her. I arranged the wine bottles, then opened more cupboards to bring out the bowls and trays. I made an effort at tidying the kitchen, starting at the edges so there might be some clear space.

“See?” Viridian said. “You’re exactly what I needed. An extra pair of hands.”

“I’m happy to help.” Her praise made me shy. But it was the first chance I’d had to be alone with her, and I blundered into what I wanted to say: “I loved listening to your poems. I’ve never heard anything like them.”

She stayed silent. I couldn’t look at her; I was keeping busy with the pot I was scrubbing. I said, “I don’t read poems, I can’t. I mean, I have a learning disability, I have trouble with reading even basic stuff. But when I heard you read them, it all made sense. It all ended up inside me. So, I just wanted to tell you.”

Still, she didn’t speak. I felt my face burning. I thought I must have said something wrong, monstrous, without at all meaning to. I wanted to apologize, although how, and for what, I didn’t know. I began to stammer, something about how I hadn’t meant, hadn’t meant to presume. But she rescued me from myself, finally.

“Thank you. That’s lovely to hear.”

“It’s not like I know anything at all about poems.” I shrugged. “It’s not like anybody needs my opinion.”

“I’m very glad to have yours. And there’s no one way to enjoy a thing.”

“I guess that’s good.” I still felt a little raw, as if I’d said too much. “I didn’t know you were going to be there. I just saw the poster.”

“That’s a lucky thing then. Every so often, the universe sends you a gift.”

“A dishwasher,” I said, encouraged enough now to make a joke, and Viridian laughed and said that yes, the universe was generous that way, and so we got through the moment, and if I still felt like sort of an idiot, I was glad I’d spoken up.