Page 10 of His Elder

"But your companion is?"

I followed her gaze to Elder Price, who had approached the football players. One of them said something that made the others laugh. Elder Price smiled—that rehearsed missionary smile—and kept talking.

"He's better at it than me."

"That's not saying much, based on your enthusiasm."

"Yeah, well." I shaded the fountain's base. "Not all of us are here because we want to be."

Maria didn't respond right away. When I glanced over, she was studying me with an expression I couldn't read. "Your parents made you come?"

"My mom. Sort of. It's complicated."

"Family usually is."

"You close with yours?"

"Close enough. My mother thinks I'm wasting my timewith art, but she's stopped trying to make me switch to law." Maria turned a page in her sketchbook. "So if you're not here to convert me, what are you here for?"

"Honestly? I'm here because sitting still for two years seemed better than disappointing the one person who still believes in me."

"Your mom?"

"Yeah."

"And the drawing? That's your real thing?"

The question lodged somewhere in my chest. No one had asked me that in months. Not since I'd told my bishop I'd accept the mission call, and everyone started treating art like a hobby I'd outgrow.

"Yeah," I said. "It's my real thing."

Maria smiled. "Good. Don't lose that."

Across the park, Elder Price had given up on the football players. He was heading our direction, and I could already see the shift in his posture—he'd spotted me talking to someone. His pace quickened.

"Incoming," I muttered.

"Your companion?"

"Yeah. He's going to—"

"Elder Vance." Elder Price arrived slightly breathless, his smile locked in place. "I see you've made a friend."

"Maria, this is Elder Price. Elder Price, Maria."

"It's wonderful to meet you." Elder Price extended his hand. Maria shook it, her expression polite but guarded. "Are you from Barcelona?"

"Born and raised."

"What a beautiful city. We're so grateful to be serving here. Elder Vance and I are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we—"

"I gathered."

"—share a message about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. We'd love to talk with you about how God has a plan for your happiness."

Maria glanced at me. I looked away.

"That's kind of you," she said carefully, "but I'm not really interested in—"