“There is not going to be a rumble,” she said to Rosalia.

Rosalia pointed at her. “Another fortune teller!”

Maria looked over the ledge at the street below and wondered how much longer she would have to wait for Tony. Not that there was any need for him to hurry for her mother and father had gone to the movies with her younger sisters.

She had begun to quarrel with her younger sisters when her father, to end the quarrel, had suggested they all go to the movies. The little girls were sure to fall asleep and as long as they were in the theater, they would certainly be more comfortable than at home.

She had sponsored this suggestion with enthusiasm, but told her mother and father she would stay at home because she would be going out with Bernardo and Anita and some of the other girls who were coming over.

“Where is Chino escorting you after the rumble that is not going to be a rumble?” Maria heard Consuelo ask.

Maria turned toward her to smile enigmatically. “Chino is escorting me no place.”

“She is just dolling up for us.” Rosalia said, as she pointed to Maria in her white dress.

“No, not for you.” Maria shook her head. She contemplated the girls and wondered how much she ought to tell them. “Can you keep a secret?”

Consuelo clapped her hands. “I’m hot for secrets. Tell me one and you’ve told everyone, which saves a lot of wear and tear on your own mouth.”

“Tonight I’m waiting for the boy I’m going to marry.”

“So what’s the secret?” Consuelo was disappointed. “You know something, Rosalia? Chino is all right. He doesn’t talk as much as the others about what a great lover he is. And he doesn’t talk big about going to work, because he goes to work. So you know what I figure?”

“What?” Rosalia asked patiently.

“He’s a doer, not a talker—and they do the most in everything! When are you going to marry this great lover?”

Maria took a deep breath. “I am not waiting for Chino.”

“Poor girl!” Consuelo placed her hand on Maria’s forehead. “The heat’s got her. She’s way out of her mind.”

“I am!” Maria’s eyes danced with excitement. “I am out of my mind and out of this world with happiness. Tell me, do you think Chino could make me look like this?”

Puzzled, Consuelo looked to Rosalia for an explanation, but Rosalia shrugged. “I’ll say this,” Rosalia observed, “Maria does look different.”

“I do?” Maria asked. “Even if I did not look different, can’t you see that I feel different?”

Rosalia nodded. “Very different, like you were lit up with sparks.”

“Which is how I feel!” Maria exclaimed. “I feel wonderful, marvelous and beautiful. I feel I could fly, if I wanted to. I could run along the edge of this roof and jump to that one.” She pointed. “I only see stars in the sky. Four or five moons. I’m in love with the most wonderful, wonderful boy.”