The pair passed by fields and copses of trees straddling the road. Most were still greyed from winter, but a few spots of budding green dotted the landscape here and there. The girl and the skull strolled by more and more houses until the homes condensed into proper neighborhoods. A handful of people worked on their gardens and exteriors, repairing winter’s damage. They stared of course, but quickly returned to their work without a remark.

The road then whipped into shape, becoming less windy with fewer bumps and holes. It led them across a small wooden bridge, over a gushing stream full of melted snow from the mountains. At last after nearly an hour had passed from the time Patience left home, the ruddy brick buildings of the town of Keaton came into view.

People bustled about them carrying all sorts of goods while dodging motorcars and cyclists in the streets. Patience could see Anax’s white orb skitter around the eye socket, taking in all the hubbub. She wondered if he was enjoying himself. More side-glances passed her way, but nothing worse than that yet. Thankfully she did not see anyone she personally knew or none that recognized her.

First Patience stopped by the dressmaker’s to offload her handiwork. The head seamstress, Mrs. Laurence, was kind enough to let Patience sell her dolls in her store. They discovered the women who stopped by for clothing would often purchase a cloth doll or animal for their children. Customers found it quite charming to see these whimsical creations play amongst the fashions. Mrs. Laurence even reserved a spot in her front window to display the best of the season’s menagerie.

The girl parked her wagon below the grand window and took the flour sack into the store. A soft bell chime announced her entrance.

“Patience! I was wondering when you’d show yourself,” greeted Mrs. Laurence. Her hands stilled from removing pins off a mannequin situated in the center of the room. The fine lines etched into her face stretched around a bright smile. Blooming around her were stacks of colorful fabric and several finished dresses stood mingling near the walls.

“Hi Mrs. Laurence. How was the winter for you?” asked Patience, relieved Anax was not the immediate topic. She set the flour sack upon the ledge leading to the front window.

“Ah, this one was better than the last. My old bones were very grateful.” She smoothed her maroon dress. “By the way, I like your new addition,” the woman nodded at the girl’s head. “Quite the specimen.”

“Thanks,” smiled Patience.

“I try my best to keep up with the trends but some of you youngsters are too avante-garde,” she muttered jokingly as she made her way to the front of the store. Mrs. Laurence was usually nonchalant about most things. Patience liked that about her. The older woman bent over the sack, her peppery low coiffure lurched forward. She smelt of rose water, a nostalgic scent as Patience’s own mother had used it on special occasions.

“Very nice … good … lovely,” murmured Mrs. Laurence as she took each toy out. Already she knew where to place them in her shop. The largest dolls went around the skirt of her newest dress in the window. The animals were placed around bolts of fabric along the wall. A round striped elephant found itself perched on a mahogany shelf next to a tower of boxes. Patience noticed an absence of her creations from last year. Her heart beat a little faster in anticipation of her payment.

“Perfect!” quipped Mrs. Laurence as she stood back and gazed at her full shop. She went over to her till, skirt swishing over the ornate rug in the center of the main room. “You really should stop by more often. I hate holding onto your money.”

“Oh you know me, I’m always busy at home,” said Patience. Truthfully she was never much for dresses, especially not the proper starched ones hanging around her this moment. They reminded her too much of the young women in town living perfect lives, their lifestyles beyond her own reach. So coming into a store full of them simply to chat, no matter how friendly the company was, would dampen her spirits.

“Suit yourself,” smirked the woman. She handed Patience a modest stack of dollar coins. Patience beamed, enjoying the satisfying clinks of coin against coin in her purse.

“Maybe I’ll see you at the spring festival,” said Mrs. Laurence turning her attention back to her shop.

“We'll see! Until next time!” Patience left the store, grabbing her wagon’s handle once more.

Patience turned through alleyways until she found herself in the town’s main square. Here crowds of people crossed paths, offering the safe shelter of anonymity. Motor-powered vehicles were not permitted to drive through the square so most of Keaton’s citizens found refuge to loiter in freedom here. The girl had to shut her right eye lest she get sick from Anax’s orb zipping around her vision. She spotted the familiar green facade and cream signage of the general store and hastily made her way towards the entrance. She brought in the smaller sacks that lined the wagon, intent on filling them with seed, flour, millet, and rice.

The store was empty save for the owner, Mr. Wells. He did not nose in people’s business unless they offered it to him. Patience was thankful she could shop in peace. Her whole foray in the general store took less than half an hour. She found galoshes that fit and satisfied the empty sacks. She even learned when Mr. Well’s brother would have chickens in at his feed store. Today was a very productive day.