“Hey man,” Kevin said.

Bruce was a former youth pastor at their church who had recently become an associate pastor of something-or-other.

Maybe you’d remember if you, oh, ever went to church.

Close to Kevin’s age, he had worked with Precision a couple of years ago on a project for the church. They had done a few lunches and had talked about getting the families together one day. But life was full of a lot of “one day”s.

“How’s Jenny doing?”

“Oh, she’s hanging in there. Getting more uncomfortable with each passing day.”

He thought of mentioning the most recent doctor’s visit, but that was a lot of information for a random meeting at a sporting-goods store.

“And when’s the official date again?”

“Well, technically forty weeks would get us to the middle of February, but doctors say it’ll probably be sooner.”

“Wow. Twins. So you planning a little early to start them playing ball?”

For a second Kevin didn’t get his reference, then noticed the shoes in his hands. He thought about telling Bruce about the Angel Tree he and Jenny had signed up for, but then thought that might be bragging.

You know I rarely come to church and rarely give to the church but hey, look at these awesome shoes I’m donating to a kid I don’t even know.

“Yeah,” Kevin said, trying to shut up his wandering thoughts. “I bought a pair of football cleats for the other. Hedging my bets.”

As they spoke, Kevin kept waiting and wondering when he’d hear it, the inevitable “Haven’t seen you guys around for a while.” But it never came. Bruce acted like it was just yesterday when they were working on the project and going to lunch and comparing notes about their families.

“Remember that missions trip I took to Ethiopia a few years ago?” Bruce asked.

The one I first said I was going on too?

“Yeah, I remember,” Kevin said.

“Heading back there next year.”

Again, Kevin waited to hear it. The question. The invitation.

I got twins arriving and a company sinking. I can’t go anywhere.

“I’ve been thinking of calling you about it,” Bruce said.

Here it comes.

“I think I have a project that I could really use your team on. It’s a movie.”

Kevin’s heart stopped like a rattle finally dropping. He not only felt stupid but also ashamed. His face grew hot and he was sure he was blushing.

“Cool—a movie you guys are doing?”

“Yeah, something like that. Any chance we can do lunch again soon? Would love to work together again.”

Work. Again.

“That’d be great,” Kevin said. “Just e-mail me. Or contact me through Facebook.”

“I keep up-to-date on your life through it.”

“I’m sure we’ll be posting a thousand photos once those babies come.”

After saying good-bye to the pastor, Kevin found his mind racing. It had been a while since he’d seen Bruce. Now there was a slight possibility of work.

And yet another reason for me to stop playing around and go back to church.