Page 17 of Gideon

“Mom and I are part of the lucky few around here for more reasons than one. There aren’t many.”

“Where do you work from? Do you have a room in the house? I imagine it’s messy work.”

Nikki pointed at the shed at the back of the garden. “It’s in there.”

“Can I see?”

“If you really want.”

Gideon nodded, and she led him into her studio.

“Wow,” Gideon said as he looked at the items on the shelves. On one table, twenty identical mugs were lined up. It reminded him of the short time he was in the army. He picked one up and looked it over. “This is really good craftsmanship.”

“Thank you.”

“How do you make them all look the same?”

“I’ve been doing this a while. I went through a period where I was obsessed. Out here every afternoon practicing.”

“And now you do it for a living.” He picked up another and compared them. “But they’re really similar.”

“I weigh the clay to make sure I’m using the sameamount on each one and do them one after the other. It’s not hard if you don’t get distracted.”

“What happens if you’re distracted?”

“I either have to start over or they make great pieces for the market.”

“Do you sell online?”

“I used to. That’s where I was discovered. If I can call it that.”

“Can I buy one?”

“The bird whistle you bought at the markets isn’t doing it for you anymore?”

“No, I’ve still got that. Have you heard it? It’s amazing.”

“I hear it every time I’m at the markets, but it is pretty cool.”

“I don’t know what I’ll end up doing with it, but the mug would be for me.”

“Feel free to take whatever you want. But those ones on the table aren’t quite ready yet.” She pointed at a shelf in the back. “Anything that strikes your fancy over there is yours.”

“How much?”

“On the house.”

“I’d like to pay for it.”

“Too bad. It’s a gift.”

“It’s not my birthday.”

“But it will be one day.”

He smiled. “Thank you.” Then he went to the shelf and selected a wide dark blue one. “I like this one.”

“I hope it carries many warm drinks for you.”

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