A family of five went out the door, and as the last of the crew, a preteen boy in a suit too big and too grown-up for him, squeezed around a big-hipped waitress and dashed out, a familiar face peeked in.

Despite the heat, the Preacher was wearing the same dark overcoat. He stepped through the door, and Ted could see that the duct-taped boat shoes had been replaced with a new pair of high-top black sneakers. Ted’s contribution had gone to a good cause.

“Here’s somebody I know,” Ted said.

Kenzie looked over her shoulder, not entirely registering what Ted had said. “Oh, he’s here.” She threw a big wave in the Preacher’s direction.

“This is your guy?” Ted asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “You’ll see. He’s very cool.”

The Preacher had seen her wave and was approaching with a warm but amused expression. Ted stood to greet him. They shook hands.

“Isn’t this a workday for you?” Ted asked.

“My pulpit is the subway turnstile. My church, the street. As a freelance messenger of the Lord, I am out here minding my flock six days a week. Sundays, I rest and let others spread the Word.”

“Can I buy you breakfast?” Ted said.

Kenzie recovered quickly from her initial surprise. She slid over and the Preacher sat next to her. “So, one of you better tell me how you two got to be such buddies.”

“We met for the first time this week,” the Preacher said.

“And he helped me find Barbara Miller,” Ted added.

A Latina waitress who could have stood in for a Botero model came to the table with menus and a third cup of coffee. “Ah, Padre, it has been too long.”

“Hola, Princesa. Estos son mis amigos.”

“Welcome. Welcome,” she said, handing menus to Kenzie and Ted.

“I think a plate of carbs, protein, and grease has a chance of making me whole again,” Ted said.

“And a dash or two of hot sauce,” Kenzie added.

Ted looked over the menu while Kenzie ordered two eggs over easy and rye toast well done, butter on the side. Ted realized there were too many choices in front of him and the idiosyncratic spelling (“bagel and cram cheese”) was distracting him. The Preacher ordered a “Spanish omelete.” Ted closed the menu and handed it back. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

“Was I of any help?” the Preacher asked. “Did you find the missing Barbara Miller?”

“Yes, thank you,” Ted said. “She’s all right. In fact, she is in a very safe facility. She didn’t choose to be there, but the people there are taking good care of her.”

“A nursing home?”

“A good step up from that,” Ted said.

“But you’re not pleased.”