Deception Creek (16 page)

Bending across the seat for the handle, Billy rolled down the passenger side window, which let in the sounds of the rapids. All of life's questions could be answered through the sounds of water, he thought, if only it could be understood.

Billy drove all the way into the center of town, taking his time, stopping once just to think. A crane's boom stretched high enough over the ground to hold, in mid-air, a great cross. It stood, perched in the sky above the town.

Billy looked at his watch. Even though he left early, his dawdling had made him a few minutes late. Attempting to make up the time, all Billy did was proceed to get himself frustrated. Traffic, lights, construction, all slowed him down, as though it was being done deliberately to postpone his actions. When he tried to go around some of the downtown construction, Billy found his detour even slower.

When he finally arrived, Billy parked directly on the church lawn. He ran into the church and began to climb the stairs behind the vestibule. Taking two steps at a time, he didn't stop until he heard talking above him. Jack and Hillman were buckling up their harnesses. The clanks and snaps trailed down through the stairwell.

Near the top, he smelled fresh air coming through the open trap door. He saw the blue of sky. Jack had already climbed onto the peak.

Hillman unbuckled his harness. “I heard you coming. Jack didn't, though, so be careful not to surprise him.” Hillman helped Billy harness up. “You're a brave kid.”

The two of them shook hands.

“Be careful up there,” Hillman said.

“I will.”

Billy heard Jack just as he pulled himself up and out of the trap door. Jack looked the other way, watching as the cross slowly came into view on the opposite side of the peak.

Billy latched the harness before standing. Warm summer air caused the rooftops to steam. Billy looked over the town. He nodded when Jack turned and saw him.

“The last test?” Jack said.

“Now it's official.” Billy held out his hand for Jack to take.

They shook hands.

Jack slapped Billy's shoulder. “We'd better do the job then.”