“He gave up his seat on the whole church board three weeks ago.”

“He told me he had a Saturday work retreat,” I said.

“He handed in a written letter citing serious personal obligations,” she said.

“And then he did something stranger.”

She took a small sip of her black coffee and set the mug back down on the Formica table.

“He offered his share in the annual charity auction to a stranger,” Patty said.

“Some man from Knoxville paid him cash on the spot.”