Chapter 26
(Jehovah’s Valley, Oregon, 2 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2013)
STEPHEN LISTENED TO Naomi’s soft-spoken story, and told her to sit with the Preacher, who appeared to be sleeping in his recliner as he often did these days. Stephen wasn’t sure if it was because the half-seated position eased his breathing, or because he hated sleeping alone in the bed he and Mary had shared for 30 years or more.
He went into the second bedroom, now unused unless there were guests visiting the community, and made sure his kids were sleeping. The third bedroom, once his, was Timothy’s. He remembered when Mrs. Brooks—even now at 37, he had a hard time thinking of her by her first name, Roberta—had driven out and met with his parents. He and Andrew were still in high school. Janet’s room had been repa
