No one grumbled. They had somehow turned a corner and were now excited and bold about the task before them. Even Ryan and Lionel seemed to be getting along. Judd asked that they find good seats in the sanctuary, which was already filling, and he hurried down to the office to see Bruce. Loretta, Bruce’s kindly old secretary, was just arriving. She told Judd he could knock on Bruce’s door. “If it can wait, I’d appreciate it,” Bruce called out. “OK,” Judd said. “Sorry.” But as he walked away, Bruce came to the door. He looked disheveled, unshaven, as if he had stayed up all night. “I didn’t know it was you, Judd. What’s up?” “Nothin’,” Judd said. “Just wanted to say hi.” “Glad you did. Pray for me.” “OK, but why?” “Just feeling the responsibility of this church. Big crowd already?” Judd nodded. “Jammed. Cars lined up around the block. People mostly look scared or sad.” “They’re terrified,” Bruce said. “They come here looking for hope, for answers, for God.
