apple seller : is that all miss?

me : Yes thank you!

apple seller : have a good evening!

me : you, as well!

I crusty and leave the stall (that just about wraps up tonight shopping!

I will make an apple pie tonight.it will be a nice treat for father and i)

A few of the stall owners call out to me in greeting

I wave and smile in return

sometimes I enve them father would never let me run a stall by myself

(he still sees me as a little girl. when I say I worry about him working hard always ,he just chuckles and pinches my cheeks.he can be odd sometimes but means well)

I click my tougue and shift the basket to the crook of my elbow.

(even now,he's likely in his studies.i think I am old enough to know certain things.will i be able to do anything without worrying him)

I pass through the towns main courtyard still lost in my thoughts. suddenly,bright laughter pulls me out of it.i slow down to watch a large group of children gathered by the fountain.

(what has got so excited,oh they must be watching another one of the puppet shows.that puppet master is an odd fellow.what is his name again?virgil?)

the croud part and I get a glimpse of the puppet master.his hand deftey control the string attached to his marionettes' limbs

(he maybe be odd,but he is handsome.)

I squint at the puppets, trying to discreet their feature's.

(is that puppet supposed to be a monster?and is the another puppet

a priest carrying a sword?what kind of show is he putting on for these

children?)

as if reading my mind,Virgil looks up and waves the puppet in my direction.

Virgil : hello lovely lady! care to enjoy some whimsical entertainment tonight?

he winks and the children burst into giggles

(why do I feel like they are having a laugh at my expence?)

I curtsy and nod my head.

me : n-no thank you I should be getting home.

virgil pouts and directs the priest to bow.

Virgil : suit yourself young miss.