As she slid her slender body from behind the wheel, she saw a man walk out on the porch in front of her, and gaze down at her with curiosity. His eyes peered out from behind a massive, tangled growth of beard and hair, that practically hid his face from view. His hands rested lazily in the pockets of his faded, patched coveralls.

"Good afternoon," Ann ventured timorously. "My name is Ann Walker."

Ann could feel the bearded man's eyes taking her in, and suddenly she felt very out of place in this almost 19th century community, dressed as she was in her modern, brightly colored, light summer dress. She waited for the man to give some response to her introduction, but he simply continued staring at her, impassively.

"My daughter lives here in this… place," Ann continued bravely. "Her name is Lani Walker."

The silent man descended the stairs slowly, and walked over to where Ann was standing. Her nervousness grew as he approached her, but then he stuck out his hand and smiled.

"Of course… Lani. I'm afraid we don't know very many last names around here. How do you do?"

Ann shook his hand gratefully, suddenly put completely at ease by the graciousness and ease of his manner.

"I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr…?"

The man smiled again, quietly, and put his hands back into his pockets.

"… Moses," he said simply.

"Well, I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Moses."

Ann was surprised to hear him laugh out loud, and then questioned him with a smile.