Sabbath afternoon

We're sitting in the big meeting tent, having a Bible study. It is a hot and calm Sabbath sfternoon, the breeze has been blowing through the central tunnel of the tent, and we are having a good discussion about judgement and the close of probation--just me and Carly.

Jen walks up. Jen lives next door, a tiny boy of nine who looks like he could be six years old. He has wide eyes and an easy, crooked grin. Jen likes to hang around us, watch what we're doing.

As Jen stands by, and we take notes in our journals, some bigger boys pass on their bikes. They yell and whistle at us, and say some words I won't repeat.

I watch Jen's reaction.

He looks down at the ground, and shakes his head, like a wise old adult, shunning the foolishness of youth.

Carly and I exchange a look, rolling our eyes. We're used to it.

"Ellos son feos," says Carly, and we laugh.

And then Jen laughs, too, and we are pleased to see he agrees.