Three Converts

Part 42

We left Sam on the couch and headed back into town. We walked past Clyde's, past the town square, to a cute neighborhood with newly painted fences, freshly cut lawns, and bright flowers in front of each home. "Wow," Rocco said. "This place is... cutesy."

"Roccooooo!" Misty whacked his arm. "This is exactly the kind of neighborhood I want to live in!"

"Really? It's so... "

"Adorable? Neighborly? Welcoming? I know!" I could tell Misty was already imagining herself gardening in one of these yards, cooking in one of these kitchens, befriending all the neighbors. Rocco noticed the dreamy look on her face and looked alarmed. He didn't stand a chance.

Griffin pulled a little piece of paper with an address scribbled on it out of his pocket. He looked at a house number, then led us two doors down and motioned for us to come up the walkway. "Who lives here?" I asked. He ignored me and knocked on the door.

A little dog yapped and I heard a woman's familiar voice holler, "Gussie! Zip it!" I clapped and hugged Griffin, excited as the little dog. The door flung open and the dog darted past our legs to tinkle in the grass. "Annie!" I yelled, pushing through Rocco and Misty to hug my friend. She held me tightly, "You found me!" she exclaimed. She pushed me away, looked me up and down, then pulled me back to her. "What did they do to you? What did they do?" She was crying, but I didn't know why, I couldn't be happier.

Annie's house was just like her. Bold and fun, and if you don't know any better, one might say tacky. Of course, I lived in a dirt-colored hut my whole life, so who was I to talk? The furniture was large, and featured various giant flowers. Rocco and Misty sat on a loveseat with bulbous geraniums as big as my face covering it. I made myself comfortable on a chair blooming with curly vines and flowers I didn't know the name of. Her wallpaper featured tiny rosebuds. Even the rug under our feet was a huge red rose. It was homey. I decided I loved it.

Annie introduced herself to Misty and Rocco before I had the chance. Misty stared at her in awe. Our whole lives we really thought Kimmyann was a myth. "You're a hero!" Misty informed her.

Annie held her stomach as she laughed, "Please. I fell in love and ran away. People have been doing that since the day God gave us legs for running." I made a mental note to ask her about God at some point. On cue, Gibby came in and planted a noisy kiss on Annie's cheek. The introductions were made again. We chatted with Gibby while Annie bustled around, fixing a tray of food and drinks for us. My stomach was still shrunk from our days of meager food in the pit. It didn't take much to fill it, and right now it was still full of Griffin's coffee. But my friends dug in as though they hadn't eaten in a month.

Griffin had briefly clued Annie and Gibby in when I was a prisoner, but she didn't have all the details, so I filled her in. When I got to the part about Franklin's eye, Rocco set his muffin back down and looked like he might be sick. Annie, on the other hand, laughed heartily and stuffed his discarded muffin in her mouth, whole. It was when I got to the part about Augustus threatening my family that she paled. Gibby muttered cuss words and Griffin nodded at him, agreeing with every swear word.

Annie leaned into her husband with a sigh, and he stroked her hair. They sighed together. "Okay. How can we help?"

We all looked at Griffin. He was the most persuasive of all of us. "Welllll, since you asked..." And he explained our plan and their very, very, chief role in it. They listened until the very end. Annie looked sad. Before she even opened her mouth, I could tell she was going to decline. She gave Gibby a wistful smile, then, "I want to help. I do. But-"

"We're in," Gibby announced. I nearly fell off my flowered cushion.

"What?"

"We're in," Gibby repeated. "Whatever you need. If that means going undercover and joining the commune, then size me up for one of those ugly robes. I'm in."

Annie spluttered, "But... but. Gibby?"

"Listen, I've about had it with that council. Those self-righteous brothers and sisters up there think they can judge God's children? They can't. I can't stand the thought of the devil himself watching me and thinking his evil plans are safe because wimps like me are too scared to put a stop to his schemes. I can't stand it. I won't stand it!" He was fired up. His face was red, and his fists were clenched. Annie looked like she could kiss him right then and there. Then she did. Misty clapped her hands and Rocco whooped. Griffin pulled me in and hugged me so tight my back cracked.

When he let go, I looked around at my friends. Ourlittle army had its first ally.