Three Converts

Part 9

I woke well-rested and ready to hit the ground running. The orange sky fed my ambition. Even Sophie seemed excited for me. She gave me a kiss on the cheek, but as I began my descent down the mountainside, she couldn't resist whispering, "Remember Kimmyann," though it was more of a playful jab than the heavy tone she used yesterday. I rolled my eyes and gave her a wave. I wanted to get going before Franklin caught up to me again.

The town wasn't awake yet. All the vendors' booths had curtains drawn. The smell of something doughy and fried floated down the street, piquing my curiosity. Of the secular things that tempted me most, food was at the very top of that list. Followed closely by normal clothing. The council made the understandable point that we couldn't be distracted by food, when we had Diety-based things to worry about. Diety provided our basic needs. To feast on the fancy foods of this world would be gluttonous. Similarly, clothing was just a distraction from our purpose. I couldn't help thinking it would make us more approachable in town though. And certainly more likeable. I adjusted my robe a bit, sighing.

Slowly, people began trickling out of their homes, restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries. I ignored my watering mouth and browsed the few booths that were opening. Griffin's was still shut up tight. Most vendors glared at me. I tried to smile anyway, but couldn't stand to meet their eyes. I looked like a crazy person grinning at the ground. The woman with the booth across from Griffin greeted me kindly.

"Good Morning, hon! How are you today?" She was round, with blotchy patches on her face and skin. Her nose was bulbous and her teeth crooked. She wasn't beautiful in a worldly way, though her hair was thick and shiny. It fell in cylindric curls down her back. Somehow, her entire look worked for her. "Your quilts are lovely," I offered. They were bright and whimsical. I refrained from stroking them, though they begged to be touched.

"Go on and touch one! They're soft as a newborn's little buns!" I giggled, and cautiously pet one of the blankets.

"You're right!" What a gift. She would be the perfect addition to our commune. I smiled (at her face this time!) She was being so nice, I assumed she didn't know about the commune. She probably thought I was a paying customer. I knew I should give her my pitch before she got too busy. I groaned inwardly. In some ways it was harder to pitch to the kind people. The ones I would have actually liked to be friends with. An attempt to convert them was a surefire way to kill a potential friendship. I looked sadly at Griffin's tent. That's probably what would happen with him too.

Picturing Sophie's happy face, and Mother and Father's relief, I plunged into my role as converter. "Are you familiar with Diety and his love for all people? I'd love to talk to you about how he can change your life!" I punctuated my sentence with a smile. The woman laughed until her belly shook.

"Oh sweetheart! Oh! You're so darling." She got very serious all of a sudden, "I'm not laughing at you. I'm not. That was a good effort. I don't want to waste your time though. You could talk to me all day long and not convert me." I swallowed tears. Her eyes were gentle, I believed she wasn't laughing at me, but rejection is hard every single time.

The woman saw this and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into her soft chest. I was mortified. Then comforted. If only everybody rejected me with such love. She pushed me away and held me by the shoulders. "You stop by here any time you want, okay? Here." She walked behind a table and came back holding a box of what I knew to be donuts. They were the cutest food I'd ever seen. Each was a different shape and color. They begged to be poked, squished, bit into with no abandon. The woman lifted the box again in invitation. I looked at the plucky little pastries, then back at her. Inexplicably, Franklin's annoying face popped into my head. If he saw me, I'd be in huge trouble.

I groaned. "I'd better not. But thank you so much. They look delicious." The woman looked sad for a moment. "I understand," she smiled. "I understand. Shoot, I shouldn't either!" she exclaimed, then took a long, chocolate-covered oval out and stuffed it into her mouth. We laughed together and my heart nearly burst at the privilege of sharing a laugh with her.

Customers began filing into her booth. The women wiped a bit of frosting on her pants. With a wink she informed me, "I'd better get to work. He'll be around quarter after," she informed me, nodding in the direction of Griffin's tent. I couldn't imagine how she knew I was waiting for him, and I didn't have the chance to ask. She was already bustling around, greeting customers and insisting they feel her quilts.

There was no sense waiting around here allmorning. Yesterday I spent so much time talking with Griffin, I didn't have achance to explore the rest of the fair. I set off in the direction of the gamesand rides. I'd come back later to talk with Griffin.