“Hey, Becca. Who’s your friend?”

“Oh, this is a friend from school. Her name is Xena. Xena, this is Todd. He’s the paster’s nephew.”

“Nice to meet you Todd.” Todd was a tall muscular boy with a bowl cut and rather humble features. He wasn’t unattractive, but he reminded me of what an actor would try to look like to portray a geek on tv. The fact he was dressed in some very unflattering Sunday dress clothes just added to the whole geek look. It was a good thing I didn’t have anything against geeks. I kind of liked the confidence he showed while looking one pocket protector away from being arrested by the fashion police.

“Xena? Like the princess?” Todd remarked with a wholesome smile.

“I was named after my mother’s best friend. Her name started with an X so my father wanted to have mine be similar. But, that doesn’t stop him from calling me princess as a nick name. I would mind but he kind of treats me like a princess, so I guess it’s only fair.”

Todd gave a warm smile and laughed a little at my joke. “How did you enjoy the sermon? I haven’t seen you at church before.”

“This is my first time in a church. I haven’t see you in school before. Do you go to St. Augustines?” St. Augustines is a Christian private school nearby. I’ve tutored a few kids from there before and they all have said the school is awesome in one way or another.

“Nope. I’m homeschooled.” Todd’s smile went from a bright full grin to a sideways wry smirk.

“That’s nice.” I say trying to keep from sounding half hearted. “I do a lot of self study at home when I’m not in school.”

“Xena said she knows a bunch of languages. She brought her dads bible to church and it’s not only ancient and huge, it’s in Latin. Here I was, following along in my King James Bible, while she was reading along next to me in an entirely different language!” Becca got excited and waved her hand at the book in my lap.

(In Latin)”I can speak a small bit of Latin. My uncle taught me. He learnt it in college.” Todd spoke with a significant accent that made his Latin hard to understand. It seemed he hasn’t had much opportunity to speak to anyone in Latin before.

(Also in Latin)”Your pronunciation needs adjustment. I don’t often get the chance to speak other languages, but I really enjoy learning them and talking with my dad about them. I could give you some aid, if you want to practice.” I tried to speak as clear as I could and pace my words so I didn’t overwhelm him. I guess it was kind of showing off, but he is the one who spoke to me first.

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“Yeah... I could only understand half of that. I have only talked a little with my uncle in Latin. It sounded like you speak in Latin all the time. Do you know any other languages?” Todd switched back over to English.

“I couldn’t understand any of that. It sounded nice though.” Becca cut in.

“I can speak a bunch of different languages. My dad says it runs in our blood. He likes teaching me new languages when we go hiking or camping.”

“How many do you know?” Todd leaned in with interest.

“I don’t really know. I haven’t kept track. I know all the popular ones at least.”

“Wait! You don’t know! Is it really that many languages? If you had to guess, how many do you think you know?” Becca’s flabbergasted expression she had when she spoke was priceless. It was true. I really haven’t kept track. I would have to make a list and think on it for a while if I wanted an accurate number.

“I really don’t know. I guess... twenty? Maybe? Something like that.” I didn’t like just guessing but twenty seemed like a low count. I was sure it was more but I didn’t want to give a huge number.

“Wow. You said your dad taught you all of them? He must be really freakin smart. Could your dad not make it to church today? I would really like to meet him.”

“He’s not really a religious person. I’m sure I could get him to come at least once. He invited Becca to have lunch with us after church. I don’t think he would mind if I invited you to join us.”

“Is he atheist or agnostic or something?” Todd seemed concerned all of a sudden. The happy-go-lucky smile he was wearing a moment ago was now only a trace.

“I don’t really know. He hasn’t talked about it before. He’s a really good person though. I don’t really understand all this talk of sinning and the whole with us or against us mentality. I’ve seen him praying and stuff before in private but I don’t think it’s evil just because he isn’t Christian.”

“What do you mean praying and stuff?” Todd said with a slow and questioning manner.

“I don’t know. He didn’t know I saw any of it and he doesn’t talk about religion at all. But I know for a fact he isn’t doing anything evil or bad.” I think I’ve said more than I should have but having been raised by someone who never lies, I tend to say what’s on my mind and tell people things they don’t want to hear. I am also well aware I am a terrible liar, so I rarely ever attemp it.