Legendary Frybread Drive-In: "Patent Red," by Cynthia Leitich Smith

by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In is a magical place where Indigenous teens can find love, support, comfort, and community — no matter where in space or time they come from.

Here are links to our lists for the first nine selections in this collection:
Maybe It Starts, House of Stray Cats, Mvskoke Joy, Game Night, Look Away, Patent Red, Braving the Storm, You Had One Job, Heart Berry
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. understated
    exhibiting restraint, especially in regards to taste
    “Hey,” I say in a remarkably (for me) understated act of articulation.
  2. articulation
    the act of expressing in coherent verbal form
    “Hey,” I say in a remarkably (for me) understated act of articulation.
  3. optimist
    a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
    Too early to say, but I’m an optimist.
  4. contort
    twist and press out of shape
    The closest overhead bins are filled with roller bags, so I contort myself to shove my backpack beneath the seat in front of mine.
  5. condescending
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
    It’s her—the special closing-night speaker from leadership camp, acting condescending to me for the second time in less than twenty-four hours.
  6. mesmerized
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    After struggling another minute, I surrender the packet and find myself briefly mesmerized by the sight of him tearing open the package with his teeth.
  7. idealistic
    motivated by noble or moral beliefs rather than practicality
    With a huff, I whisper, “Do I look like some clueless, idealistic brat who doesn’t understand that I’m never going to have all the power in the world . . . ”
  8. rant
    a long tirade or complaint expressed with strong emotion
    Given that my rant is disguised as a question, it takes him a moment to decode.
  9. philosophical
    meeting trouble with level-headed detachment
    My forearm brushes his, and I exhale, suddenly feeling more philosophical.
  10. array
    an impressive display or assortment
    I breathe in the array of cars—several vintage—parked in the service stalls of a bustling drive-in, the sixtysomething bellhop on roller skates, a trio of girls in ribbon skirts getting out of a wood-paneled station wagon, a scruffy guy playing a fiddle on the bed of a pickup.
  11. vintage
    old but having enduring appeal or importance; classic
    I breathe in the array of cars—several vintage—parked in the service stalls of a bustling drive-in, the sixtysomething bellhop on roller skates, a trio of girls in ribbon skirts getting out of a wood-paneled station wagon, a scruffy guy playing a fiddle on the bed of a pickup.
  12. chivalrous
    attentive and honorable like an ideal knight
    That settles it—chivalrous.
  13. boisterous
    marked by exuberance and high spirits
    “Ben!” comes a boisterous voice from the order window, bordered by flyers announcing next weekend’s Battle of the Bands.
  14. alluring
    highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
    The red is bright, alluring.
  15. empowered
    invested with legal or official authority
    I feel glamorous, empowered, and so freaking tall.
Created on Mon Feb 23 08:47:56 EST 2026 (updated Tue Mar 24 15:26:44 EDT 2026)

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