Page 88 of Gideon

“Come on, Dad. There’s no way you could have known that.”

“I didn’t know the specifics exactly, but I got a letter a few years back.”

“From where?”

“The army. They got a return to sender on something they tried to send to you, so they sent it to me for some reason.”

“And you opened it?”

“What else was I supposed to do? I didn’t know where you were.”

“Then why do you keep telling everyone I’m in the special forces?”

“Probably because I know it rubs you the wrong way.”

“I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Joey shrugged. “It happens from time to time. The fact you thought I cared is more concerning than anything.” He linked his fingers behind his head and closed his eyes. “While you’re trying to figure out what to do about Fairfax, I’m going to have a nap.”

“What about M.A.S.H?”

“I’ll absorb it in my sleep.” It was only another minute before he was snoring.

Gideon shook his head. He shouldn’t be surprised by his dad anymore, but he was.

He pointed the remote at the TV to turn it off, but then thought better of it.

Growing up, when his dad was asleep, that meant a moment of peace. There weren’t many good memories of him awake, but this visit had adjusted that slightly. He’d had moments on this trip he’d never thought he’d experience. They were moments he never would have dared hope were possible. Of all the miracles he’d seen, those were the most profound.

He went to the sink for a drink of water and noticed a kitchen towel on the floor. Picking it up, he looked for any kind of hamper to drop it in, then stopped. He studied it for a second before slowly looking up at the door.

“Okay, so, God, don’t be angry with me,” he mumbled. “And yes, I do realize how hilariously pointlessyou must be finding all of this, but would it be okay if I made just one more request?” He looked at the ceiling and waited. “I need to be sure that sticking around is the right thing to do. I need to know that it’s not me trying to be righteous and courageous for the sake of it. If it really is you wanting me here, I need to know that this is You.” He waited again but didn’t feel one way or the other about it. If the first test was really God, then the second one would be too.

He looked at his dad, who snorted in his sleep, then went outside where he took off his shoes and socks. He walked across a patch of grass to confirm it was as dry as it looked, then he tossed the towel at his feet. “How about if we try it backward this time? Hear me out for a second. How about tomorrow morning, I find the towel dry while everywhere else is wet with dew? Does that sound all right?” Again, he waited. Nothing. “I’ll take your silence as a yes?” He stared down at the towel. “I can’t believe I’m doing this again.” He closed his eyes. “I’m sorry if I’m being an idiot.”

He turned for the garage and pulled out his phone and brought up Nikki’s number in a text. But what could he say? With so much still hanging in the air, he had nothing to say to her that would matter. Even if God did another miracle, his confidence had only been bolstered by his anger over what Fairfax was doing. In the morning, he may feel differently. He was already being reckless by staying until morning. He couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t chicken out by then and forget about the towel altogether.

When Nikki had finished praying with Barb, she looked up, and her face sank into a steely frown. There had been a steady trickle of people coming in over the last hour. Fairfax had lined everyone up and started shooting. Several people were about to lose their homes, many more their livelihoods, and there was a list of other complaints.

Nearly every seat in the small church was full. For some, it was their first time. Most surprising of all was the hush that remained over the room. It was heartbreaking, but God had reminded her of Hosea from the Bible. She only wished Gideon could have seen it. If he hadn’t left, then… She had to let it go. He was gone. His part in all of this was over.

“Nikki?” A soft voice from behind startled her.

“Mom? What are you doing here?”

Beth smiled weakly, her eyes rimmed in tears. “Same thing as everyone else, I guess. It’s time for God to move in this town. It’s His turn to take over.”

Her mom had never lost her faith, but she hadn’t set foot in the church since her dad died.

Nikki took her hand and squeezed. “Thank you for coming. It’s good to have you here. It means a lot to me.”

Beth’s eyes moved across the room. “I wish your dad could have been here to see this.”

“Me too. I feel so…I don’t know. Helpless. If dad was here, he’d know what to say.”

Beth shook her head with a teary laugh. “No, healways felt out of his depth. But he learned to embrace it. Even in the worst times, somehow, he still believed—No, heknewthat God was in control. He tried to take me there with him, but I couldn’t get hold of it.”

“I thought he was hurt by it all.”

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