Chapter 4

Paul didn't know why the cheese was so important, but he was glad enough to see Diana. He hurried down the path. Now that he owned nothing but what he carried, the bag on his shoulder felt very light.

Diana lived with her father. They made cheese from milk they traded for. The only thing that Paul liked more than the cheese was Diana. When she came to the door Paul couldn't help staring at her one last time. She was only slightly shorter than he was, but he was sure she was just as strong. In spite of her strength she looked soft and curvaceous. Her hair braided fell to her waist. She frowned at Paul.

"It's Tuesday," she said.

"I'm going on a quest," Paul said. "I need cheese."

"Come in," she said. As he walked into her home he saw her go to her Book and flip it open. Whatever it said made her gasp and put her hand to her mouth. Paul wondered if being sent on a quest was such a blessing after all.

"Come," Diana said and led him to the cool, dark room where the cheeses were stored.

Paul put the bag with the vegetables and eggs on the table and his sack on the floor then followed her. In the room, she picked up a small round of cheese and wrapped it in a cloth then handed it to Paul. He packed it carefully in his pack. This was the last thing he needed before he left. He thought he'd go over to Daniel's and make sure his companion was ready.

Paul was unprepared for Diana to throw her arms around him and kiss him, but he made the best of it, trying to lock the memory into his head so he could bring it out to think about while he traveled.

"The Book said to kiss you goodbye if I ever wanted to see you again," Diana said into his shoulder. Paul felt something in him relax. He would live. He'd come back and see Diana again.

"Did it say just one kiss?" he asked. She looked up at him with a smile.

"No," she said. The second kiss was even better than the first. Paul let his sack drop to the floor so he could use both arms to hold her.

"I hope you didn't crack the eggs." Daniel leaned against the doorpost of Diana's home. He held a stack with one hand. Diana stepped back. She was still smiling, but tears were running down her face too.

Paul picked up his sack.

"Goodbye," he said.

"You have to come back now," Diana said.

"The Book will guide me," Paul said, "and you as well."

He walked out of the house and he could hear Daniel following him.

"The Book didn't arrange for me to get any farewell kisses," Daniel said, but he sounded more amused than jealous.

"God has his reasons," Paul said. "Maybe that was to make up for giving all my possessions to Zaccheus."

"You had to give away your house and everything?" Daniel said. "My neighbour is looking after my chickens. I left my book open to the right page."

"You aren't bringing your Book?"

"Are you kidding? It weighs a ton. It didn't say to pack it, so I didn't."

"How will you know what to do?" Paul said. "You need your Book so you don't displease God."

"You have the Page," Daniel said. "It will do for both of us."

Paul looked at the Page.

Keep walking.

For the first time in his life, Paul left Eben, his home.