Arthur and Higgins stayed frozen beside the fireplace, stuck in their own shame.

Carl from the gas station was standing by the back double doors.

He had on a clean blue shirt instead of his store uniform.

He tapped his clipboard against his leg and checked the time on his phone, looking worried.

He glanced up and met my eyes, but I didn’t stop to ask what was the matter.

The center aisle stretched out in front of me between long rows of polished wooden pews.

The church elders sat in their usual places near the middle in their dark Sunday suits.