Rory sat by Jess's side, speechless and stunned. He reached for her hand, and said, "I'm sorry, Rory, but...." Jess searched for the right words. "I feel a little betrayed."

"Why?"

"You claim to love me, and yet you blindly follow your ex-boyfriend into a religion. How does it make sense to you? I assume that it does, because you always think things through."

"That's the thing, Jess." Rory smiled at him, though he was still scowling. "This was the easiest, most natural decision I have made in my life. It made sense to me without the aid of a pro/con list, or tons of research. That's what faith is."

"Rory, I know what faith is."

"Do you know how the Bible defines it?"

"Do you?" he challenged.

"Hebrews 11:1 says that it is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen."

"And you want me to believe in God?"

"Yes, because it's the truth."

"And what about Dean?"

"I forgave him. He apologized, and I forgave him. And he wants your forgiveness, too."

"What if I can't give it?" Jess worked his jaw.

"I wish you would. I care about you, but I can't pretend that Dean isn't my friend. It's so cheesy, but I really do wish that we could all be friends. Forgiveness isn't automatic. I know that. But please, just listen." Rory explained everything that Dean had said, including everything about salvation.

"Rory, I knew two kids once, when I was little. Their mom took me with them to a Vacation Bible School, at a church, right there in Manhattan. They presented what they called "the gospel" every night. In middle school, I went to something called the Harvest Crusade with them. They told me all along that God loved me, and that Jesus was awesome. But..." he paused, and gathered his strength. "If God loves me so much, why is my mom the way she is? I have never had proof that showed me that God exists."

"He showed you proof today. You're alive, and you're fine, despite a nasty concussion and being unconsious for weeks."

"But, why is my mom so off-track?"

"I don't know why. But Dean has shown me, and I've seen that God really does care what happens to us. I prayed for you to wake up, and you did."

"I want to believe, Rory. I do. But if God is so awesome, why hasn't my mom come to see me? I know that Luke has custody of me and all, but you'd think she would've made an appearance by now. If God cares, my mom would come."

"Baby!" a blonde woman entered the room, seemingly on cue, and Jess's eyes widened.

"Mom?" he squeezed Rory's hand, which he was still holding, tightly as he laid eyes on his mother.

"I'm so sorry for not coming, baby! I didn't know--Luke tried calling me, but I'm not at Jeff's anymore. I have my own place, and I don't have a phone yet. I ended up moving in next door to your friend's mom, you know the gal who took you to church? Anyway, Luke had her number for who know's what reason, and she gave me the message!" Liz spilled out all of the details, and Rory shot Jess an I-told-you-so look.

"Mom," he said, accepting a hug from her, "I was just talking about something with Rory. Can you give us a minute?"

"Oh, is this your girlfriend?" Liz asked. "Sure! I'm sorry for barging in like that!" She left, and Jess looked to Rory.

"I know now..." he smiled through tears in his eyes. "I know God is real. I know it's all true. My mom is on her own, with no help, she got here because of my friend's mom, and I know that it's all real." Jess said. He closed his eyes and prayed. "Jesus, I know now that You're there. I know You've been trying to get my attention my whole life, and now You have it. I know I've messed up, Jesus, and I'm sorry for everything I've done wrong. I know that You died on the cross for me, and that You love me. Amen." Jess opened his eyes, and realized that Rory had had her eyes closed, too. "First things first. Tomorrow, when I get out, we're going straight to Hartford to see Dean." he said. Rory nodded.

"I'm glad." she smiled through her tears of happiness.