"And do we not learn from the gospel of Luke" reverend Purdy continued his long soliloquy, "that we must embrace our lost sons and daughters? Did not the father whose son was presumed lost, death even, welcome his child home with open arms when he found his way home?"
Somewhere in the back of the Vera Smith Chapel someone started to snore softly. Purdy wisely chose to ignore this.
"John!" whispered Bruce while he nudged his friend in his side. Johnny opened his eyes, looked contrite around him and smiled apologetic to the grey haired lady sitting next to him. She gave him a disdainful glance and looked back at Purdy.
"Remind me again why we're here," he whispered in Bruce's ear.
"Because you couldn't say no to Purdy when he asked for, oh, I don't know, the ten thousandth time if you would attend one of his services. Something about it being good for the soul to see what your mother invested all her money in."
John nodded, "Ah, right."
"But between you and me" said Bruce "I'm not sure about the soul but it certainly did wonders for Purdy's wallet. Did you see the car he arrived in? Chauffeur and all!"
John looked at him. "And why did you come again."
"Because you asked me.'
"Right." His leg started to ache and he changed his position to alleviate the pain. It didn't work but a silver dollar he was keeping for JJ fell out his pocket. It rolled away over the floor. John tried to grab it but got another derisive glance from the grey haired lady, so he decided to leave it. Johnny sighed and looked at his watch. Purdy sure took his time. John absentmindedly rubbed his bad leg and let his mind wander. Occasionally he picked up something of Gene's speech. Something about not closing the door for your fellowmen. John thought about his mother. His religious mother who devoted her life, and lifesavings to this church, but couldn't find comfort there when she needed it most. Finally he heard Purdy say: "May we end this service with a part-song."
The community of the faithful rose and so did Bruce, and after some initial reluctance so did Johnny, leaning heavily on his cane.
"Do you know the words?" John whispered hopeful in Bruce's ear.
"It's your church."
The piano started to play and the pious unison started. Johnny listed, trying to remember this song from childhood. A pure, high voice caught his ear. A young woman with ash-blond hair, much like his own, stood a few benches behind him. She sang with her eyes closed. The people standing next to her stopped singing to listen to her beautiful soprano. Suddenly she opened her eyes and looked straight at John. She had one blue and one green eye and smiled at him, a sad smile.
Bruce and Johnny waited in the benches till most people had left the chapel. John had said to Bruce he didn't want to manoeuvre through the crowd of people, touching them, inducing visions. Bruce had nodded and looked meaningful at John's leg but said nothing. The past few weeks walking had become increasingly painful for John, despite Bruce's workouts. Walking with a limp is hard enough but limping through a crowd is hell, although John would never admit that to Bruce, or anyone else.
"Church's almost empty." John stood up and thought for a moment that his leg would give out under him but found Bruce's strong supporting hands helping him up. "Prepare for some serious physical therapy tonight."
"We'll see about that," said John. "Just let's go before Purdy..."
"John!" the reverend walked up to Bruce and Johnny, hand outstretched. "Too late," said Bruce.
"So good of you to come. I hope you enjoyed the sermon."
Johnny faked a smile. "It was very...moralized."
"Well, that's my job. Disseminate the gospel. Keep up moral standards."
"Yeah," said Bruce "I especially liked that part about Luke 15, the lost son."
Purdy looked surprised.
"I didn't now you were a biblical man, Mr. Lewis"
"Only on occasion" the younger man replied.
"Well, if I may invite you both for a drink, then…"
"Reverend" said a soft but carrying voice.
The young woman with the high voice stood behind them. She had her hands protectively folded together in front of her and looked shyly at the threesome.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I wondered if I could have a word with you, Reverend. If this is not an inconvenient time that is." She spoke with a slight European accent.
"Of course, excuse me gentlemen. I don't believe I have had the pleasure to meet you before Miss…"
"In a way you have met me before, Reverend, but that was a long time ago. My name is Ruth Davids." She extended her hand.
Gene hesitated and John saw how the blood drained from his face at hearing her name.
"Gene, you're okay?"
"Yes, yes I am. Thank you. This is just very… Miss Davids." Finally he took her hand, completely covering her slender white hand with his'. "So nice to meet you, again." Miss Davids' eyes brightened at this sign of recognition, clearly showing her two different coloured eyes. Purdy looked nervously at Johnny. "Could we take a rain check on that drink gentlemen?" Johnny gave Purdy full marks for keeping his composure. "Sure, no problem."
"Miss Davids, if you would walk with me, please."
She nodded but turned to Bruce and John before following the reverend. "I believe you lost this during the service." She stretched out her hand and placed the silver dollar in John's hand palm. Her fingertips felt cold and for a second John's skin tingled as if the young woman was conducting electricity. She looked at him, her eyes widened again, but this time as if she saw something she couldn't quite believe. Before John could say something a vision struck.
He was in a chamber. High windows, with bars. White walls, soft walls. A bed with restrains in the right hand corner. He recognized this place. The same woman, Ruth Davids. Sitting on her knees with both her hands on the wall in front of her. Light from the high windows fell on her white face. Tear marks. Crying, she was crying. Through her tears she was singing. A song in a language he didn't understand but he had heard the melody before. Why was this place familiar to him?
"Nice to have met you to." Bruce's voice brought him back to the chapel. Purdy and Miss Davids already were already walking to Gene's office.
"What did you see John."
"I do not know, or to be more accurate: I do not understand."
Bruce placed a hand on John's shoulder. "Let's get you home and I shall see what I can do about that leg of yours."
John nodded and limped over the aisle towards the exit. At the door he looked over his shoulder and saw how the young woman briefly massaged the back of her leg.
