Page 84 of Gideon

“Is something wrong?” Gideon asked when she hung up.

“Mae’s been fired.”

“Mae? For what? She’s like the sweetest person I’ve met here.”

“Fairfax said she was stealing from him.”

“Fairfax himself said that?”

“Yeah. That’s what she said.”

Gideon shook his head. “Why would he do that?”

“She wouldn’t lie.”

“No, I mean… Never mind.”

“She’s headed here now. I’ll pray with her and—I don’t know. I don’t know what else to do.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to leave you with all of this.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She took a deep breath and stood. “All I can do is trust that God has something. It was nice getting to know you, Gideon, but I guess you should get going before the sheriff finds you.”

“Yeah… I guess I should.”

They started with a handshake and then hugged awkwardly.

“See ya,” she said.

“Maybe I’ll stop in again some time.”

She shrugged. “You think that’s a good idea? You think the sheriff will ever let you back into town?”

“No. Probably not. I’m sorry, Nikki. I really am.”

“It’s how things have turned out. God never said we wouldn’t face trials. You’ve got yours, and I’ve got mine.”

“Yeah.” He turned and headed for the exit. Hecouldn’t blame her for her reaction. He’d hurt her. He’d hurt both of them. It felt like a boulder had settled in his stomach. All the things he’d thought were signs were only his imagination. Some part of himself had hoped he had value, but he’d fooled himself and fooled Nikki. This town would be better off without him.

When he reached the door, a man he recognized from the first night when everyone had turned up at the church was climbing the steps.

“Oh, Gideon. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“I’m on my way out. But there isn’t a meeting on as far as I know.”

“I’m not here for a meeting. I just didn’t know where else to go.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Not really. I got a phone call to tell me I was being evicted from my house. I have forty-eight hours to leave.”

“Is that even legal?”

“Doesn’t have to be, I guess. Who am I going to tell?”

“Did they at least explain why?”

“No.”

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