Chapter 10
We reached the front in a ragged line, and since the great doors were closed, we walked through the parking lot to a small side door. When I pushed on it, it opened. We walked in one by one, mostly, into the great cavern of the nave, and stood in a row on a side aisle. It was completely quiet, but I noticed fresh flowers on the altar and a lit candle nearby. Then I saw someone sitting in the front pew, kneeling actually, and as he heard us and rose, I saw he wore vestments. I didn’t know what rank or even what season was represented, but I still sighed in relief at there being someone, anyone, here.
“Come in,” he said in a quiet but carrying voice, one used to projecting. “I’m not really a priest, but I play one on…oh, don’t mind me. My sense of humor gets to arguing with my s
