All the Colors of the Dark
by Chris Whitaker
Contents
Chapter 146
Overview
Misty repeatedly hints that she wants Patch to take her to see Grease at the reopened Palace 7, but Patch is so anxious that he avoids the subject with absurd and off-putting tangents. His eventual invitation, and Misty’s instant acceptance, marks a small but meaningful step in their growing closeness. The chapter shows how awkwardly Patch handles intimacy even when the feeling is clearly mutual.
Summary
On Patch and Misty’s next hike, Misty repeatedly brings up that the old Palace 7 is showing Grease. Misty makes it obvious that she wants to go, reminding Patch how much she loves the movie and even joking that she might still fit into the yellow dress she wore the first time she saw it.
Patch, however, is too nervous to answer directly. Instead of responding, Patch hides behind irrelevant distractions, talking about birds, glacial meltwater, and increasingly unpleasant stories, including a prison protest and Sammy’s crude warning about Mitzie’s psoriasis and a possible cake for Walt.
Patch’s evasions gradually wear on Misty. Misty stops noticing the scenery on the hike and does not even eat her English muffins, showing that Patch’s refusal to say what he means has disappointed her.
Only when they return to the car does Patch finally gather the courage to ask about the movie at the Palace 7. Misty immediately accepts, making clear that Patch’s invitation was what she had wanted all along.
Who Appears
- PatchNervous about asking Misty out; dodges the subject until finally inviting her to the movie.
- MistyClearly wants to see Grease with Patch and eagerly accepts once he finally asks.