After a few moments I realized I needed to get back to the sanctuary. “Gotta run, ladies,” I said quietly, hating to disturb their reveries. I left and went quickly to the room beneath the stage where the musicians were preparing for the next concert. I grabbed my purse from beneath a table and fished out my lipstick, all the while wondering what Greg and Jack were talking about. I couldn’t wait to hear the story.

Rochelle was suddenly beside me and whispering conspiratorially, “So what did your friend think?”

I grinned back. “He’s talking to Greg right now,” I whispered back, jabbing a finger upward, indicating the pastors’ office area upstairs. She laughed and put an arm around my shoulder.

“That’s fantastic. We’ll keep praying.”

“Thanks.” I quickly put on a fresh coat of lipstick before tossing the tube back in my purse, then took my place by the door just as word came for us to go upstairs. I forced myself not to think about what was going on with Jack and to focus on the task at hand.

JACK

A SOFT KNOCK on the door interrupted our discussion, and a voice from outside said, “They’re starting the last song, Greg.”

“Thanks, Paul!” Greg called out. He shot me an apologetic look. “Looks like I need to go do my job,” he said. “Are you still staying for the second concert?”

I nodded. “I will, thank you. Will the last rows be as empty as they were before?”

“I’m not sure; depends how many people show. But if you wait until I’m talking, people will be less likely to notice you. And you might want to just stand in the back, although I’d hate for you to be without a seat for that long.”

I nodded. “Well, as long as you stick to your ten-minute promise, it won’t be too bad.” I stuck out my hand. “Thank you for your time, Greg.”

“Of course!” he said with a vigorous handshake. “Feel free to come back here after the concert if you want; I’ll have to meet and greet the congregation afterward, but after that I’m all yours.” He led the way out the door and down the hall, making sure I knew where I was going before moving in the opposite direction toward the stage. I found my way to the sanctuary and risked a peek inside. There was a small section of empty seats in the back corner, so I ducked my head, dashed to the cluster, and settled into a chair just as Greg arrived at the podium. I caught a glimpse of Grace as she disappeared off stage right, and wondered vaguely whether Missy and her mom were still here somewhere. I felt bad that I hadn’t gone back to them after talking to the pastor, but I really wanted to hear his message one more time.