Three Converts

Part 31

Bellevale. It was about the same size as Mayrood, but newer, shinier, cleaner. We looked down on it from the mountainside. I was intimidated by its gleam. Part of me wanted to suggest to Griffin we just set up camp in the mountains and find a way to live here forever, apart from all the world. But I saw the thrill of a city in his face and realized he could never live the way I was accustomed to. He loved the hustle and bustle of cities. This was his home.

We walked single file down the steep path leading into town. It came out on a backroad. I pulled Griffin's arm back. "I need to catch my breath." Truthfully, I needed a moment before re-entering civilization.

"Okay. Wait here and I'll get us some food."

"No! No way, I'll go with you. How do I know you aren't leaving me and never coming back?" I smiled, even though I wasn't totally joking.

"Ha! Ditch you before we find Eliana and Jerry's family? Nope. You're going to do all the talking. It makes me queasy to think about."

If thinking about the birth made him queasy, I couldn't tell by the way he scarfed down his sandwich (and half of mine) we bought from a roadside vendor. Once every crumb was gone, it was time to find Eliana and Jerry's family. "The little brown house on Peak Drive," Griffin repeated the address they'd given us. "Excuse me, can you tell me where Peak Drive is?" I blanched as he tapped a man on the shoulder. In my experience, nothing good came of approaching strangers. But the man did not glower or ignore him. Simply pointed in a direction and said, about eight blocks that way, take a left at the post office. You'll run into Peak." I exhaled when he continued walking down the road. More evidence that it was simply the pesky strategy of the commune that made people grumpy.

We marched on. The sun shone, but a breeze kept us from getting too hot. On the way, Griffin pulled me into a store. "We're gross."

"Hey! Speak for yourself!"

"Okay, I'm gross. You're... less gross." He pushed some money into my hand. "I'll be in the men's section. Meet me at the front door?"

"I can't take your hard-earned money, Griffin."

He rolled his eyes. "I think we're past that, Lucy." He walked away, leaving me among racks and racks. I'd never been shopping before in my life. Misty used to love fashion and always had an opinion on what people were wearing in town. I didn't see the point. I really did think I'd be wearing a robe my whole life. Mercifully, a woman with a nametag greeted me (something else completely new to me). "How can I help you?"

"I... need some clothes? Just something simple." She smiled and eyed me. I prayed she wouldn't ask me to take my clothes off or anything.

"Got it. Come with me!" I traipsed around the store after her as the saleswoman handed me thing after thing: shirts, pants, underwear, socks. She tried to talk me into shoes, but I had to draw the line at some point. I hadn't even looked at how much money Griffin handed me. When we were done, I politely gave her back some of the less sensible items, but kept the underwear, two t-shirts, a pair of pants, and after hemming and hawing, she talked me into keeping a skirt. "For special occasions!" she exclaimed. I couldn't imagine I'd ever have a special occasion to attend, but in the end I couldn't resist.

Paying was something else I'd never done before. Thankfully, Griffin must have thought that through because he met me at the register for moral support. Payment went off without a hitch, and I could sort of see why Misty would have thought this was fun.

On the way out, we popped into the restrooms to change. When I emerged, Griffin was already standing outside in shorts and a light blue shirt. He looked so handsome I could feel my face redden for no apparent reason. He's the same person, I reasoned with myself.

"Ow ow! Look at you! Give me a twirl." I rolled my eyes at him. Thankful he wasn't being as weird as I was.

"I'm not twirling, you weirdo."

"I don't know about you, but I feel so much better. Apparently three days is the maximum I want to wear the same clothes." Now I really did redden. I wore the same two robes for the better part of twenty years. It never occurred to me that wasn't exactly normal. As always, Griffin seemed to read my mind. "You were lovely in that robe and you're lovely now. Shall we?" He offered his arm and we left the store. I expected to be self-conscious in clothes that actually fit me, but truthfully, I was enjoying feeling "normal" more and more all the time. Free. Liberated. The adrenaline overcame me. I flung my arms around Griffin and kissed his cheek.

"You missed my mouth," he joked. I swatted athim, and we walked toward Peak Drive, happily, normally, freely.