I did, and became instantly bitter, recalling the night he made me tell about Healthy Living.

He paused my video, and tugged his glasses off, folding them, then massaging the bridge of his nose. “What’s this supposed to accomplish, son?”

“I was told for me to come back, I’d need to confess. I’m honestly not a fan of your way, so I did mine instead.”

“You expect me to believe that’s all this is? All those new visitors out there aren’t some sort of setup to disrupt our service? Because I’m going to be frank with you: if you think you’re going to prevent our congregation from worshiping, I promise I’ll have you escorted from the premises. I won’t stand for any . . . shenanigans during this holy time.”

My head shook the entire time he spoke. “It’s nothing like that. Everyone out there, they want to be connected to a good place. I haven’t planned anything beyond that. But I do have a request.”

Pastor breathed deeply, looked to the sky. “Lord, this boy.” To me, “What?”

“Let Kiera off the hook. Don’t make her, or anyone else, get up there and tell their deepest secrets anymore. I got on the internet and told all of mine hoping you’d see that as a worthy enough sacrifice to save them.”

Pastor leaned forward, nearly hissing, “Boy, you are skating dangerously close to blasphemy. You didn’t sacrifice anything. You didn’t save anybody. Only One has ever done that.”

“Then let’s follow His example. I was paying attention in those purity classes, Pastor. I know when you’re forcing us into the pulpit to embarrass ourselves, that’s not saving anybody either. I’m asking you to look at a better way.

“The way I figure it, you can say some stuff that inspires those people to want to come back. I’m certain there are a lot of options in the Bible that work for when you want people to feel encouraged, like they belong. Or, you can force young people to embarrass themselves for your own satisfaction and a few amens.”

“If you think you can manipulate me—”

“No.” I shook my head, meaning it. “Not manipulation. I know I don’t control you. I’m not trying to. I’m stating the choices I’m sure you already recognize. You can do whatever you want, and that can be the same thing you’ve always done. This is your church. Or, you can do what your wife once said, and help protect the youth in our community. You might start by not scaring them away.”

I stood, not waiting to be dismissed. There were fifteen minutes before service started. I bet Pastor had some things to think over. “I look forward to the sermon.”

Emerging from the corridor, I gaped at a packed church, more people still cramming their way in. Among them, I spotted all of the Purity Pledgers. Ralph and Bobby ushering folks to the last few empty seats. Mya in the choir stand. Jameer sitting apart from his parents. All the rest.