Eleni combed through her twisted hair thrusting her chin high. Tongues wagged as soon as she walked past them but Eleni rolled her eyes with an air of nonchalance.
They would not get her goat.
So what if she had become the talk of the town?
So the hell what?

Eleni's destination appeared on her left and she strolled past the gates and into the yard muddied by the rains. She sat on the bench and held her tight posture.

Oh gods! She wanted to hide.

Eleni flung herself on the bench covering her face with her hands.
At the sound of footsteps she was up again with a calculated expression.

"What are you doing?" The old woman asked her.
Seeing that it was only Costa's grandmother, Eleni allowed herself deflate.
"Yia-yia, you scared me."

The elder ignored the girl.
"I told you to stop thinking about it."

It was simple for her to say when she hadn't been the topic of negative discussion the past fortnight.

"They've stopped caring so you should too."

"Are you sure? Yia-yia, I see them staring."

Eleni gained a quizzical look from her grandmother who sized her entire appearance.
"They stare because of the ridiculous outfit you put on today."

Eleni looked at the cloth of many colors she'd donned on as her sign of defiance. The dress was meant to give her courage and make her feel beautiful.

"Where did you get that?"

"My mother sent it. It finally arrived this morning and I thought it a sign from the gods."

The old woman gestured for her to stand then walked around her.
"Your mother doesn't know how you should fill out a dress. Might as well have sent a sack."

The imagery made both women laugh.
"Yiayia, have you eaten?"

She nodded.
"I think the dress is too colorful come inside I'll give you something else to wear."

Eleni noted the change of topic.

Eleni gasped at the beautiful dress her grandmother revealed.
"Yia-yia."
The flowers were hand embroidered with red and blue flowers. Eleni's favorite colors.
"Don't start crying. I altered an old dress of mine so it could fit you. You should wear this instead. You can't go out looking like a bag of potatoes on Eros's day."

"Maybe I'd have more luck if I were born as a bag of potatoes."
Yiayia smacked her.
"Your mouth."

"Sorry." Eleni hugged her grandmother.

Eventually, she shed away the sack and donned on the embroidered dress. It hugged her figure, accentuating every curve she'd inherited from her African ancestors.

"Wear this and find someone better than my misfortune of a grandson."

Eleni's eyes watered.
"You're the only one who believes in me."

"I said don't cry. Now go and enjoy the day and pray to Eros."

They hugged and Eleni went on her way.
She checked her purse to make sure she had enough coins.
Her last job had been very profitable.

"Theía Eleni."
Eleni's head snapped up in the direction of children running towards her. It was too late to escape .
"I'm not theía. I'm Twenty and three years."

"No. You're theía Eleni because you're big." One of them responded.
"And you look old. Not like Thalia."

It was clear who among the two the children adored. Eleni kept her words and reminded herself that they were only children.
"What do you want?"

"We can't find Thalia."

"I don't know where she is." Eleni said walking away from the children who followed her.

"I thought you were her friend."

Eleni nodded. "I am. But I don't know where she is right now. But when I find her I'll let you know."

"Let's find her together." The children swarmed around her and moved her like a riptide.
"There she is." A girl pointed.

"You knew she was here the whole time, didn't you."

Their guilty faces telling her she was right.

"She's been standing there for so long. And we want toys and candy but she won't mind us."

Eleni realized it wasn't just Thalia who stood watching the newly erected statue of Eros. Scattered around the place were groups of boys and girls giggling and pointing in that direction.

The children tugged at her arm.
"Do you want to pull my arms out?" Eleni asked taking her hand away.
She went to Thalia and tapped her friend on the shoulder.
"Eleni, you're here. When did you get back? You brought the children with you. I was wondering where they've been all day."
The little faces pouted.

"You forgot about us when you saw the beautiful man."

Thalia blushed fumbling her words.
"That's not true. I would never."

"Look, the children want the toys your promised them. And sweets." Eleni said.

Beautiful man? She stretched her neck over at the fountain for a glimpse at the man that had the town at a standstill.

"Oh Eleni... your dress is beautiful!"

She lowered her hide at the compliment.

"Can you do me a favor and get the things for the children. You know where I keep them."

Eleni started to refuse her cousin."

"You can take some sweets for Costas' yiayia as many as you want."

"Deal." Eleni accepted quickly. She was going to buy the old lady some provisions for the month, and the sweets would be an additional thank you for the dress she'd given her.

Eleni have it one more attempt her curiousity keeping her there longer.
Then he stood and Eleni's heart dropped.
Not the reaction she'd have placed with seeing the kay beautiful man in the world but alas it was pain that stung her chest and a twinge of sadness.

His eyes scanned the crowd not truly seeing those around him. So when he looked their way, Eleni knew she too would be invisible but that would be better. Was that what made her sad? That he would never look her way?
The emotions swimming in her stomach brought tears to her eyes. They didn't belong to anything shallow.
It took root in her heart making it hard for her to breathe.

"Theía Eleni!" The children shook her attention back to them.
"Fine you little runts. Follow me." She said grateful to leave behind the enigma.

It would do her good to leave all men behind.