NELSON?” Will Nelson gave the bolt one more turn with the big-bladed screwdriver, then slid out from under the pew. “Oh,” he said, “hello, Jimmy. I’m just tightening up the benches, you know, or they creak. I could barely hear my own sermon last Sunday.” Jimmy Hudson did not smile. “It—it looks like a big job.” “I don’t mind. Mike was going to help me. Do you know Mike? Helps out here part-time.” “I’ve seen him around.” “But he had a chance to go over to the lake and help some fellow get his boat in for the winter. Seems to me he’s about a month late, wouldn’t you think? The pay was half again what the church could afford to give him, so I told him to go ahead. Besides, it’s kind of fun sliding around on the marble floor. Undignified without a good excuse.” “I’d think it would be cold.” “Cold it is. Come on over to the house, I’ll make us some hot chocolate, and you can tell me what’s on your mind.” Jimmy looked miserable. “I don’t want you to go to any trouble.
