"Thank you, Sister. You were a really big help." Dana hugged the packed tea leaves against her chest.
Beatrix smiled. "You call me Sister and then thank me for something like this. How am I supposed to believe you mean it?"
Dana giggled. "Alright, Sister, how about I say I appreciate your help instead?"
"Much better."
"By the way," Beatrix added, "do you want me to walk you back? I don't think Percy is coming back from his work anytime soon."
Dana shook her head. "I'm a lady now, Sister. I can manage by myself. I'm not a child anymore." She glanced up at the sky. "And nothing is going to happen in broad daylight."
"Alright." Beatrix released her hand and drifted back toward her stall. "Safe travels then."
Dana waved with her free arm, the other wrapped around the tea leaves, and set off through the street.
She made her way back through memory alone, her pace easy, taking in the morning around her.
A man caught her attention.
