The next day was Sunday, and it started out on the wrong foot. Jeremy wanted to go ahead and do the kite-flying, even though yesterday they had agreed to do it at noon. He thought it would be best to get it done while everybody was in church.

Jason said "No."

Jeremy scowled. "G-guess you're gonna make us go to church."

"No, that's up to you." Jason had already started his Sunday dress-up.

"Good, because I'm going," Josh said, while dressing in his Sunday best. "You aren't going to make me stay home, are ya?"

"No, of course not. Suit yourself."

"You should go. Set an example for the men and all that."

"G-goin' to ch-church to l-look g-good. Phooey!"

"Well, he might accidentally learn something about how to actually be good," Josh teased.

"Phooey on you, too. If you g-go, we still c-can't have our c-contest, cause you're supposed to d-decide who's best." Jeremy's face brightened. "I know! We can p-practice while Josh is at church!"

"How about we don't fly kites at all during church?" Jason asked gently.

"Why don't you g-go, too, and I can go p-practice by myself?"

"No," Jason said flatly.

"Why not?"

"Because it would look as bad as going would look good."

"Joshua!"

"Well, if he can act like a ten year old, I can act like I'm twelve, can't I?"

"HEY!"

Jason took a long deep breath and let it out slowly. "Brothers," he said, putting one hand on each's shoulder. "I think we need to start this day over."

"Well, I'd agree that Jeremy does. I'm going to church." Josh walked out the door.

Jason shook his head, and pulled out a chair to sit next to Jeremy. "What's wrong, Jeremy? This isn't like you."

"I just thought we was g-gonna have a f-fun day."

"We can still have a fun day. After church."

Jeremy sighed.

Jason waited, watching a series of emotions cross the boy's face.

"Don't wanna go to church."

"You don't have to. But – in my experience the more you don't want to go, the more you need to."

"Really?"

"Really."

"How?"

"I don't know. It can be as obvious as the message in the sermon , or as simple as a bee bumbling and buzzing in the flowers. 'According to your needs,' as the Book itself says.

"You b-b'lieve that?"

"I have had it happen to me, and several times."

Jeremy thought that over. "Da always c-called you a h-heathen."

"Yes, his heathen son, he called me, brought up by his pagan wife, that his God had given him both of us."

"C-confusing."

"Yes. It was confusing to Da, too. He wanted to be and do right, but the right things always had something wrong about them. Adam's sin."

Jeremy nodded and fell into silence, watching as Jason finished dressing.

Jason was tying his shoes when he looked up and said, "Now, Jeremy, if you go out, no kite flying during services. Okay?"

"Wh-what if I do?"

Drat, the boy was going to be defiant to the end, wasn't he? Jason finished with his shoes. Well, he was at that age."If you do, you know the women in this town will be blaming me for your disrespect. I don't think you'll do that to me."

"I might."

"I trust you." Jason left on those words. Before stepping off the porch, he looked skyward, and hoped aloud that he was doing the right thing.