• I stepped in between the stalls of people selling goods. The county fair was fun, but I didn't really want to be here. After dropping me off near the fendings and food stalls, she'd taken off with her boyfriend to have fun on the rides. I sipped on the lemonade I'd bought, thoughtlessly going past framed drawings and wire sculptures.
    "Hey there missy."
    A gnarled old hand grabbed my sweatshirt hoodie and pulled me backwards.
    "Seems you have nothing better to do. Please look at my fine pieces of art and jewelry."
    His face was drawn in and haggard. He'd seen too much of this world, and was waiting for the day he could leave.
    "Sure."
    I said. I felt bad for him. Everybody else walked past him only to look at the cart right next to him. He caught me gazing at the stall next to his.
    "I'm sorry. I don't wish to keep you from your shopping."
    Although his face and body were shriveled, the voice sounded so young and hopeful.
    "No, it's ok. I'm just wondering why no one stayed to look at your stand. I don't see what's so special about the stall next to you."
    He shrugged his sagging shoulders and hustled to the back of the shop, to what I guessed was to look for something. I picked up a silver chain with a bright emerald in the shape of a heart dangled at the end.
    "Miss."
    The old man put his hand on mine and placed something in it.
    "I think you'll like this."
    I peered into my hand, and sucked my breath in. On the palm of my hand was two sparkling crystal stars, with long silver bars coming out of the top. I realized they were earrings. But how did he know my ears were pierced? I let out a pent up breath.
    "These earrings are much too expensive for me."
    I said mournfully. I stretched out my hand reluctantly to give them back. The old man closed my fingers around them.
    "Keep it. You're the first person who ever showed me any patience here so far."
    I looked at my closed fingers and whispered a thank you. I ran off to find my mom. I found her waiting in line for the ferris wheel. She looked dubiously at the earrings.
    "You never should have taken a gift like that!"
    She scowled.
    "Go back at once and give them back! And I don't care what he says!"
    Angerily I raced back through the crowd. I paused, and then went down the isle of stalls where the old man's cart should have been. It was gone. There was nothing there between the other two stalls.
    "Hey girlie! Buy something or get lost!"
    One of the fenders yelled at me. Shocked I turned to go back, when a flittering piece of paper caught my attention. I picked it up and ran back. I sat in my mom's car, waiting for her to finish her last ride on the ferris wheel. I flipped the tiny scrap of paper over and I almost cried.
    "If you shoot for the moon and miss, at least you'll land among the stars."
    A fancy name was scribbled on the bottom. I read it. It was my name. Smiling I put the earrings in my jean pocket with the note.