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10/17/2004: "October Surprise"

I changed the epigraph above a few days ago; did you notice? It signalled an intention on my part to adjust the focus of these pages, away from my self and its thoughts and toward actions and other people. The text is from David Copperfield, as is the inspiration. In the manner of some demiurge I hope to bring life to characters by the act of naming them, and that book has become my first storehouse of names. When enough characters have been introduced I'll provide a key.

So, today, Saturday: after talking to the guys around the coffee pot, after letting the Sunday helper into the building, after buying the Sunday School snack, I stop back at the church. I find Little Em'ly walking the halls with a mewling, squirming infant in her arms. She has been pressed into babysitting or the new members' class, doesn't like kids that small, and wants to go out and enjoy her Saturday. Mercilessly, I leave. On the way home from more shopping, I see signs for a yard sale. I recognize the handwriting. I recognize the address. I detour and find my Rummage colleague Peggotty sitting on her porch, sipping soup, all bright eyes under tousled hair. She has some customers, a family I know from the pre-school. They spend their dollar and leave, and Peggotty and I visit for a while. She has teenagers. She gives me back a book I gave her, which she is offering for sale. I look at the rest of the books, and take one. She won't let me pay. David Copperfield.