Carter said as he followed his mom into the sanctuary of their church. “Exactly,” Patrick agreed. The room was full to overflowing. “I’ve never seen this place so packed.” His mom led the way to a back corner, where they could see the door Max would come through as well as the front where Pastor Tony stood. At least they found some room to lean against the wall. Carter wasn’t sure how he felt about church and religion. Occasionally he doubted the value of the whole thing. Some days it felt right to him. Other days he knew it was right, but he simply didn’t want to go. Max had assured him that being confused was normal, but it didn’t feel very normal. He’d been looking forward to college, where he could find his own way without the expectations of people who had known him all his life weighing down on him. Based on what the mayor had said, he guessed college wasn’t going to happen. Only a few of the kids from school attended their church. He saw Jason enter with his parents, and they, too, picked a place along the wall.
