Chapter 22
“Dad, you in there?” Gideon called through the garage door. “Dad!”
“Hold your horses.” Joey opened the door at the side and stuck his head around the corner. “What?”
“Hello to you too.”
“Hey,” Joey grunted, then, “Happy? What do you want?”
“I need a place to stay for the night. And I need somewhere to stow my truck.”
“Why?”
“Because if the mayor finds out I’m still in town, he’ll kill me.”
“Literally?”
“Uh…quite possibly, yes.”
Joey grinned. “Why didn’t you say so? Come on in.”
“Why do you look like you’re enjoying this?”
“’Cause I am. So, tell me, what kind of trouble are you in? Is this because of the totem pole thingies again? ”
“No, we’ve moved way beyond that now. You really do find my trouble amusing?”
“Maybe I like the sound of Fairfax being uncomfortable. Welcome to my new royal palace. But you’ll have to buy your own dinner. I don’t have any food.”
Gideon followed him inside and grimaced at the smell of garbage and sweat. “I happen to know for a fact that Beth Morris brought you a meal.”
“Yeah. One meal. Not two. And I’ve eaten it.”
It was a studio space with a single bed pushed into the back corner. A small kitchen was set up on one wall with what appeared to be a dining area and living area separated by clothes scattered around.
“You want me to take out the trash?” Gideon said, noticing the overflowing bucket.
“If you want.” Joey threw cans off the couch onto the floor. “You can sleep here.”
Gideon gathered the pizza boxes off the table, folding them as small as he could in order to fit them in the garbage bag. He tied it, then opened another and collected the cans before taking them out. When he returned, Joey was sitting on the couch with his feet on an upside-down box he was using as a coffee table, his toes poking out of holes in his socks.
“So, tell,” he said, turning on the TV. Much smaller than the old one. “What’d you do this time?”
Gideon settled into an old armchair with tufts of stuffing pouring from one armrest. “You turned on the TV to talk to me?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep the volume low. But M.A.S.H. is coming on soon. You’ve got under ten minutes to give me all the gory details.”
“For starters, he got Charlie to sign an affidavit saying I’d upset his customers at the bar.”
“What customers?”
“I suspect he was referring to you.”
Joey blew a raspberry, one side of his lips juddering as spit covered his bottom lip. “You’ve been upsetting me since the day you were born. What’s new?”
“Very kind of you to say.”
“Charlie should know better.”
“I’m sure he did. But Fairfax would have had plenty to threaten him with to get him to sign.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time the king of Asher has made people lie for him. What’s he trying to do, arrest you?”
“He already has. But I think court is too risky. All he really wants is for me to leave town.”
“But you're not?”
“I was. He threatened to kill me.”
“Are you sure?”
“You believed me a few minutes ago when I got here.”
“I thought you were saying that to get in the door. What were his exact words?”
“Sheriff Peters said that if he finds me around town after tonight, he will make sure no one can find my body.”
“He said that?” Gideon was surprised by the fierce pucker on his dad’s face. “I’ll kill him if he lays so much as a finger on my boy. Maybe you should get out of here.”
It was the most care he’d ever heard from his dad before. “I can’t. But I’m hoping he won’t find out I’m here. That’s why I need to stash my truck.”
“But why stay? Is it for spite? Because you have an abundance of spite for me, and that didn’t keep you in town.”
“I was on my way out, actually, when it came to my attention that Fairfax has upped his game. He’s making everyone’s lives a living hell.”
“That’s not new.”
“He’s gotten worse. He’s making people suffer to prove a point and to make sure no one else gets any ideas.”
“And you want to stop him?”
“If I can.”
“How?”
“I have no idea.”
Joey pursed his lips and nodded slowly. “You’re sure about this?”
“No.”
Joey smacked his hands together and rubbed them hard. “Great. Then I’m in.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I don’t need your help.”
“Course you do. You remember how I saved your life the other day? You wouldn’t survive one day in this town on your own.”
“Now who’s being dramatic?”
“None of that is a lie. So, what do we do first?”
“I told you, I don’t know.” Gideon rubbed his temple. “How do you stop a man like that who has connections everywhere?”
“I’ve got a rifle. I’m a pretty good shot too.”
“No, Dad. We’re not going to shoot anyone.”
“What if he shoots you first? Can I do it then?”
“I’d prefer we avoid anyone dying if we can help it.”
“He’s a big guy. What if I shoot him in the knee?”
“Dad.”
“What’s your problem? You were in the army. You shot people all the time.”
“No, I didn’t. I lied.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“I’m being serious. I was never in the special forces. I was a mechanic and then left when I could.”
“Fine. Whatever.” Joey leaned back and stretched his legs out.
“I’m telling you the truth.”
“You think I didn’t know? You think you can pull the wool over your old man? Think again.”
“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 pointless you 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, he always felt out of his depth. But he learned to embrace it. Even in the worst times, somehow, he still believed—No, he knew that 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.”
“Oh, yeah. He was definitely hurt. I think seeing you and me struggle was the hardest on him though. Sometimes, I look back and wish I could have handled it better than I did. I put an extra burden on him that he didn’t need to carry. But when he stood on that platform, as ill prepared as he often felt, he always gave it over to God and trusted Him to do whatever He wanted. No matter what.”
“That’s a terrifying thought.”
“When your only options are to do it scared or not at all, you have a decision to make. The people—” She paused as she took in the crowd. “They’re like sheep without a shepherd. They need you to give them hope. That’s why they’re here.”
“They need Jesus to give them hope. Not me.”
“You don’t want to be His vessel?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say whatever’s in your heart.”
Nikki licked her lips and stood, picking up her Bible and holding it against her chest. “I can try. I’ve been reading Hosea. I think that’s what’s happening here.”
“Then tell them that.”
“But what if I get it wrong?”
“You think you can get it wrong when you’re reading from His word? ”
“You remember how they used scripture against Dad?”
“This is different. Trust Him.”
Nikki nodded and climbed up onto the stage and turned to face the crowd. Seriously, God. Tell me to step down, and I will. This is your last chance.
She smiled as the room went still. It had already been quiet, but now it was so silent her ears hummed.
“Thank you all for coming,” she said, only because they were all looking at her expectantly. “I’ve spoken to a lot of you already, and I assume that the rest are here for the same reasons. Life’s just gotten a lot harder. The mayor is determined to ruin us, and everything looks like it’s falling apart. There are probably people at home blaming the cutting down of the totem poles for our bad fortune.” That got a few nervous laughs. “But if you’re in here today, then it’s because you realize the truth.” They were all waiting for her to say something brilliant. No. They were hungry. They wanted to hear from God. “Let me read you something.”
She slid her fingers along the silk ribbon and used it to leaver open her Bible.
“It’s from Hosea, chapter two. Uh, I’m reading from the New Living Translation if anyone wants to know.” She looked up and waited while a few flipped through their Bibles to find the scriptures or searched on their phones.
She wiped first one palm, then the other on her pants. “I’ll start in verse 6.” She’d spoken to these people plenty of times. This shouldn’t be any different, but she couldn’t keep her voice from shaking. “It says, ‘For this reason I will fence her in with thorn bushes. I will block her path with a wall to make her lose her way. When she runs after her lovers, she won’t be able to catch them. She will search for them but not find them. Then she will think, “I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now.” She doesn’t realize it was I who gave her everything she has. ’”
“Amen,” someone said quietly.
Nikki continued. “After it says all the bad things, then God says in verse 14, ‘But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.’ I think that’s what’s happening here. I think this town has looked to everything else for life and hope when we should have been looking to God. Fairfax can’t give us what we need. He never has, and he never will. So, while he may seem to be taking things away from us, he was never the one who gave us anything good in the first place. He has no power.” The group responded in agreement, giving Nikki the courage to continue. “God is showing us that He’s the only one who can supply our needs. Not only that, He’s always been the one to do it. In order to remind us of that, He’s had to take away all that is good to remind us of where it comes from.” Her voice rose as she shared another scripture she had memorized. “In second Chronicles seven, it says, ‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.’ That’s what we’re doing now. God is listening. He hears our cries for Him, and He will respond. ”
The shouts of agreement were louder now and mingled with shouts of praise.
“Let’s not lose hope now that things are at their worst. Let’s be people filled with hope.”
“But that won’t keep me in my house,” shouted someone from the back. “What do I do when I’m out on the street?”
Nikki held her breath and waited for inspiration, but none came. At least, she didn’t think it did. “It’s in the waiting that our faith is tested to see if it’s real. I know that sounds like a cop out answer. But you can lose your house and have nothing, or you can lose your house and have the hope that does not disappoint because it is rooted in God’s love.”
Beth put a finger in the air. “If I may,” she said. Her soft voice barely made it to Nikki.
“Yes, please.”
Beth stood slowly and turned around. Nikki could see the shudder that went through her mom’s body when she took a deep breath.
“I know there are some of you here,” Beth began, “who are in very difficult situations. I have some food at home I can spare, as I’m sure there are others of you who can as well. If we pool our resources and look after those who are in the greatest need, I think that would be good.”
Mae nodded and stood. “That’s a great idea. I’d like to help organize it. I don’t know that I have anything that I can offer, and I might be one who needs help, but if we all do what we can, we can get through this together. ”
Murmurs filtered through the room, gaining strength. Then a man in his sixties stood up. “I have some extra room at my farm if anyone needs a place to stay. I have some room for storage as well.”
Another man stood. “I have room too.”
Ty and his wife stood. “We can help with the food. Maybe if we cook some meals through the week, too, we can eat together and encourage one other.”
The room got louder and louder as plans were made. Instead of fear, there was excitement.
“That was a great idea, Mom,” Nikki said, hugging her. “I wish I would have thought of it.”
“You can’t do everything. Let some of the rest of us have a chance for input.”
Nikki laughed. “I shouldn’t doubt. Look what’s happened. I was worried, but God did what God does, and He will continue to do so.”
“And we will all probably fall into doubt again.”
“I wish Gideon was here.”
“Oh, yeah. He stopped by looking for you before. Didn’t find you here?”
“He did. He came to say goodbye.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. But he wouldn’t go if it wasn’t God leading him to.”
“I hope not.”
“Honey,” Beth put a hand around her daughter. “I know you liked him, but it may have been his time to move on. Look what he started and you’re here to see it through.”
“I know. I just wish things had turned out differently, but there’s enough to be happy about. And I will be squeezing as much joy out of this as I can.”