She walked through the garden, noticing wind chimes and birdhouses. Several other plaques indicated where they came from. Blowin’ in the Wind was obviously the wind chime maker, and Tweety’s Townhouse had to be the birdhouse guy. She had breezed past both of them when she was inside. She liked the sound of the chimes. Relaxing and melodious. Maybe I should have purchased those instead, she mused. But she was happy with her magic ball. After all, wasn’t that the whole reason she was at the center? She needed some kind of magic in her life.

She saw a sign for the dog park and noticed three animals resting quietly under a tree. Two German shepherd adults and one she thought might be a collie. As she passed, the collie-looking dog lifted his head. It was almost as if he was saying hello. Get a grip, Tori. You may be on a mission, but let’s not blast into oblivion with imaginary conversations with dogs. A man who looked like he was in his mid-to-late twenties gave her a wave. Tori waved back. Everyone is so friendly, she thought. Maybe it was the artwork. Creative people being creative. Enjoying what they are doing. She sighed. She still hadn’t come up with something for a hobby. Glassblowing was surely out of the picture. Then she remembered passing a small shop with origami figures in the window. She turned and headed back to the interior of the center and walked toward Between the Folds.

When she entered the shop, she was mesmerized by all the different shapes of the origami. Most people are familiar with the crane, but it is an entire art form creating shapes out of one piece of paper. A petite Asian woman greeted Tori at the door. She was wearing a beautifully embroidered black kimono. She bowed slightly and spoke perfect English. “Good afternoon. My name is Suki. Welcome.”

“Hello. I’m Tori.” She took a breath. “Wow. This is amazing.”

“Thank you. Are you familiar with origami?”

“Not really. I know it’s a paper-folding art, but I have never seen anything like this.” She scanned the room.

“Yes, most people know about the crane, but as you can see, there are an infinite number of possibilities. Would you like me to show you?” The woman gestured toward a long table with various colors and sizes of paper.

Tori had some time to kill. so she thought it would be fun. “Sure! But I have to warn you; I am all thumbs,” she said shyly.

“Not to worry. I can teach you to fold a crane in less than fifteen minutes.”

“Seriously?” Tori sounded doubtful. “If you say so.”

“Wonderful. Please take a seat.”

Tori placed her special magic shopping bag and her tote on the seat next to her right. The woman sat on her left.

“What color would you like?” Suki asked.

“Purple?” Tori asked, wondering if the color mattered.