Three Converts

Part 27

By the time the sun began descending, giving us some relief, Griffin figured we were halfway to Bellevale. "Though I'm not certain we should stop there," he worried. "If anybody is looking for you, that's the first place they'll look. Maybe we move on to Sandston Valley. What do you think?" I couldn't remember anybody ever asking my thoughts before, except maybe Sophie asking if I was getting close to a third conversion.

"Well... What about Annie and Gordo? Won't they worry if we aren't there?"

"We could leave word for them. I think the more distance between you and the commune the better." I couldn't argue with that.

"Okay."

"We'll get to Bellevale tomorrow, pick up some provisions, then move on. We should be to Sandston Valley two days after that." I didn't love the idea of walking three more days, but I knew Griffin didn't either. I was touched that he'd put my safety before his physical comfort.

"Thanks, Griffin. You know, nobody's after you. You could stay in Bellevale if you want and I could go on. I've disrupted your life enough."

Griffin looked a little hurt. "I mean... I could. Do you want to go on without me?" He swung my satchel to the other side of his body as he did every couple hours to avoid chafing.

"No!" I boldly tucked my arm around his. "No. I just feel like I'm ruining your whole life. Here you were just making a living, doing your woodwork, and I come along and now you're on the run from some psychotic Robed people. I'm really putting a damper on your life."

"You are not putting a damper on my life," hesaid sternly. "This is the most excitement I've had in- ever. Plus, it's notlike I was trying to stick around my old man. It was time for me to get out ofthere. You gave me the nudge I needed."

When we couldn't take another step, we came across a tiny hole in the mountainside. Sleeping outside would have been fine, but I think we both preferred the shelter of a roof. We feasted on Dobson's fruit and cheese. I didn't care if he did make questionable moral choices, I thought Dobson was wonderful, and told Griffin as much. "Uh-huh. I think he thought you were pretty wonderful too." I knew what he was implying and I shook my head at him.

"You're so ridiculous."

Griffin raised his eyebrows at me. "Whatever you say," he sang. "Lucy, darling." This earned him a chunk of bread to the face.

Indignant, he popped it in his mouth. "I can't believe you'd waste that perfectly good bite of bread."

"Totally worth it. Maybe if the Robes do show up, we can attack with bread." I giggled. The food and relief from the sun were making me giddy. I leaned onto a rock and kicked my sandals off, stretching my feet and legs.

"Your clothes are probably dry. If you want to wear them tomorrow."

"Oh, I don't know. I get a nice breeze from Annie's skirt."

Griffin yawned. "Let's use your robe for a blanket tonight?" he asked pulling it out.

"I knew that thing would come in handy," I tried to sound casual, but the thought of sharing a blanket with Griffin was alarming. It was going to be awkward enough sleeping so close to him. But to be under a blanket too? I knew if I said anything about it, he would find another place to sleep that was less comfortable and I didn't want to do that to him. Instead, I pulled the robe out and held it up.

We crawled into the little cave. It was long and narrow. I fit in, but Griffin's feet hung out the end a bit. If we forgot where we were in the morning and sat up, we'd smack our heads on the ceiling. There wasn't much room to adjust. We lay on our backs, faces up. I scooted down, so my head was by Griffin's shoulder. Without our heads right next to each other, it wasn't awkward at all. I was actually pretty comfortable. "Good?" Griffin asked.

"Good. You?"

"Perfect." He already sounded half asleep. I felt so much gratitude and affection for my friend. I smiled at the rocky ceiling.

"Good-night, Griffin."

"Good-night, Lucy. Darling." He said in Dobson'sdrawl. I kicked him, and we drifted off to sleep.