The Incumbent (37 page)
Peering through the glass, I watched as he emerged from the kitchen, his face marred by a scowl. He saw me and his expression changed to one of puzzlement. I grinned broadly, tapped the glass two more times, then held up the Bible he had given my husband so long ago.
Paul blinked several times, then quickstepped my way. He opened the door.
“The last time someone banged on your window with a quarter, you invited him in and gave him coffee and conversation.”
“That I did, Mayor.” He stepped aside. “Find a comfy seat. I’ll get the coffee.”
I chose the closest booth, sat down, and set the Bible on the table. Paul reappeared with two steaming cups of coffee.
“Do you have a few minutes?” I asked.
“I’ll make the time for you.”
I opened the Bible to the passage in Romans. “I’ve been reading the New Testament over the last few days. There’s much of it I don’t understand.”
“That takes time, Mayor.”
I nodded, then pointed at the passage that had been underlined in the book of Romans. “Peter wrote, ‘I believe this.’” I took a deep breath. “After a lot of thought and mental wrestling . . . well . . . I believe it, too.”
Paul bit his lip but the smile escaped anyway.“In the gospel of Luke it says that the angels in heaven rejoice over decisions like these. I’ve got a feeling Peter is putting them all to shame.”
Peter in heaven. I liked the thought.
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