Asa knew it was rude of her to impose on their guest with questions of her own, especially when their guest was gathering his belongings. But she had been fighting the compulsion to speak with him as soon as she saw him. She was drawn to him unlike anyone she had ever been drawn to before. Try as she might, she couldn't understand it. And she couldn't exactly broach the topic with her parents in the room.

So as soon as the sound of their footsteps faded down the hallway, Asa spoke.

"Excuse me. Can I have a moment of your time?"