We cruised into downtown, a few cross streets bordered by a dozen or so storefronts that were already closed because most of Green Creek shut down when the streetlights came on. Jameer’s offer of assistance sounded generous. It also bugged me. I didn’t express my concerns, just said, “How?”

“We need a strategy. A way to flip Purity Pledge to your advantage. Pastor Newsome won’t like us treating it like a dating app. But it’s the one thing you and Kiera have in common, right? So, we work it.”

Me and Kiera had more than Purity Pledge in common. The Wizard of Oz came to my mind. Also, hot wrinkle-free outfits. And well-moisturized skin. For the sake of this conversation, I nodded, kept trying to feel him out. “You’re cool with using Purity Pledge that way?”

“Totally fine.”

Okay. The alarms in my head were blaring loud. Couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Like, me and you ain’t close. We barely talked before Sunday, but now you want to be my personal matchmaker? I’m not trying to insult you—but it’s suspect, bro. Why you want to help so bad? What’s in it for you?”

“I already told you.”

I tapped the steering wheel. Waiting.

He said, “Pastor Newsome won’t like it.”

Seriously? “Look, I’m new at First Missionary. I don’t really get all the dynamics or whatever happening in that church. I know I’m not comfortable with you weaponizing me because you’re pissed at your pastor.”

“He’s your pastor, too. If you’re not pissed yet, give it time.”

I swung a right at the next corner, put us on course for Stafford Woods. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll figure the Kiera thing out myself.”

His voice rose, slightly panicked. “Del, wait. I’m not using you to mess with Pastor.”

“You said—”

“I mean, not exclusively. It’s a bonus for me, I won’t lie. But, I was hoping we could sort of trade favors. I help you with Kiera, and you do something for me.”

“Something like what?”

“Healthy Living.”

My foot slipped off the gas and we coasted, our speed decreasing incrementally, the scenery around us going from blur to crawl. “Sex ed? What about it?”

“Is it,” he seemed to struggle for the right word, “informative?”

“We watched a stupid video about STDs. So, not particularly.”

“There’s going to be more to it? A lot of different topics?”

My thinning patience made me get real direct. “Tell me what you want.”

“Are we trusting each other? I keep Kiera stuff in confidence, you keep my stuff in confidence.”

“Bro, I’m about to kick you from this moving vehicle.”

A resigned sigh. “Fine. Next time you’re in Healthy Living, can you ask a question for me?”

“Depends on the question.”

He rubbed his hands along the fabric of his pants like he was trying to burn his palms off. “I want to know if certain . . . dreams are . . . normal?”

I considered what he was saying a moment. Questioned if I heard him right. “You’re talking about wet dreams.”