Latter that afternoon there is a call on the phone

  Myiam answers and see that it is from Veronica so she calles Shoshana.

  Shoshana: What is up things are great her. The youth groups have responded well.

  Veronica: You know I need some clarification on rules.

  Shoshana: What kind of rules is that.

  Veronica: Well Jonathan came over to start coordinating rides for the secret santa. It looks like we have got a few families lock down already. A few more getting verified. But, we want to go see a movie. With thomas up there it feels like a gray zone.

  Shoshana: I can understand what you mean. Let me go get Tzuriel.

  Thomas comes over to the phone: So what can I do

  Veronica: I want to go out with Jonathan tonight, I wanted to make sure it would not hurt our relationship.

  Thomas: Can Jonathan hear me.

  Veronica: Let me put it on speaker.

  Jonathan: You know we thought it would be fun to go out on a date this evening. But i know you and veronica have been dating. So, I do not want to hurt our friendship.

  Thomas: I got one question, you have been with me and her on several events. Would you treat here any different than I would.

  Jonathan taking a minute to think about it.

  Jonathan: Actually I hope I can treat her just as good as you do. You can be a tuff standard. But I thought you would have a small issue.

  Thomas: I do, but not in the way you do. But if you are going out as friends. Then I will not stop you. If it is anything else. Then I would wonder if you are really my friend. Me and Veronica are friends first. Then we date second. I am really trying to find the right words

  He pauses for a few minutes

  Do you know those classic movies where they had dance card that would be field out. So those at the dance could get a chance to dance with different people.

  Jonathan: I think I understand what you mean. But I am not sure where you are going.

  Thomas: I feel that shoshana is on my dance card right now. Veronica spot is bank and she should be able to dance with someone.

  Veronica: Do you mean it,

  Thomas: Look, I expect to be the top of the list when I get back home. But I am not there. I am with you best friend. But, then I would not let my best friend date you. Jonathan, yes.

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  I feel that in an odd way, are dating pool is somewhat limited. Not that there are not plenty of people to date. But it would be hard to really date seriously someone outside the greater group. It is to much to explain.

  Jonathan: I know what you mean. Plus i know one thing. Veronica is not going to let Sonya or shofia even get a change to get your attention.

  Veronica feeling a little put down

  Veronica: Are we breaking up

  Thomas: No, but I have to have some balance with you.

  Shoshana: No, I know he really likes you. Like I told your father, I want Thomas. But you are good for him in ways I am not. Part of what is going on is because of you too. But he is here with me this weekend. Jonathan is part of the our tight group. So, go out and have fun with Jonathan this weekend. I expect you to by his side come Monday.

  Veronica: Looks who feels threaten now.

  Shoshana: Thanks for calling. I almost forgot this man owes me a date.

  Veronica; We will talk sunday

  Shoshana: Like always

  /

  [Scene: Late afternoon, a phone rings. Myiam answers and sees it’s Veronica calling, so she calls out to Shoshana.]

  Shoshana: What’s up? Things are great here—the youth groups have really responded well.

  Veronica: Hey, I need some clarification on the rules.

  Shoshana: What kind of rules?

  Veronica: Well, Jonathan came over to start coordinating rides for the Secret Santa. We’ve already got a few families locked down, and a few more are getting verified. But… we want to go see a movie tonight. With Thomas being up there with you, it feels like kind of a gray area.

  Shoshana: I get what you mean. Hold on, let me go get Tzuriel.

  [Thomas comes over to the phone.]

  Thomas: So, what can I do?

  Veronica: I want to go out with Jonathan tonight, but I wanted to make sure it wouldn’t hurt our relationship.

  Thomas: Can Jonathan hear me?

  Veronica: I’ll put it on speaker.

  Jonathan: Look, we thought it would be fun to go out on a date this evening. But I know you and Veronica have been dating, so I don’t want to hurt our friendship.

  Thomas: I’ve got one question. You’ve been with me and her on several events. Would you treat her any differently than I would?

  [Jonathan pauses to think.]

  Jonathan: Honestly, I hope I can treat her just as well as you do. You’ve set a high bar. I figured you might have an issue with it.

  Thomas: I do—but not in the way you’re thinking. If you’re going out as friends, then I won’t stop you. If it’s anything more, then I’d have to question whether you’re really my friend. Veronica and I? We’re friends first, then we date. I’m trying to find the right words here…

  [He pauses for a moment.]

  You know those old movies where people had dance cards at parties, so everyone got a chance to dance with different partners?

  Jonathan: I think I get what you’re saying… but I’m not sure where you’re going with it.

  Thomas: I feel like Shoshana is on my dance card right now. Veronica’s spot is blank—she should be able to dance with someone too.

  Veronica: Do you mean that?

  Thomas: Look, I expect to be at the top of her list when I get back. But right now, I’m here with my best friend. And honestly, I wouldn’t be okay with just anyone dating Veronica. But Jonathan? Yes.

  Our dating pool is kind of limited—not because there aren’t people out there, but because dating someone outside our tight group would be… complicated. It’s hard to explain.

  Jonathan: I know exactly what you mean. And let’s be real—Veronica’s not going to let Sonya or Shofia even have a chance to get your attention.

  [Veronica, feeling a bit stung by that comment.]

  Veronica: Are we breaking up?

  Thomas: No. But I need a little balance with you.

  Shoshana: He really does like you, Veronica. Like I told your dad—I want Thomas. But you’re good for him in ways I’m not. Part of what’s happening is because of you too. But he’s here with me this weekend. Jonathan’s part of our close group. So go out and have fun with him tonight. Just be by Thomas’ side on Monday.

  Veronica: Well, look who feels threatened now.

  Shoshana: Thanks for calling. I almost forgot—this man owes me a date.

  Veronica: We’ll talk Sunday.

  Shoshana: Like always.