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intertwined. The cool night air contrasted with her warmth. She spoke words that made no sense, and as if she and my body knew a language I didn’t understand, they carried out an act I had no control over. When it was done, she slid away from me.
    Grace Rollins loomed just over me. “Sleep, my love.”
    * * * *
    When I woke the next morning, it was Sunday, the Lord’s day.
    I sat on the end of my bed.
    Mama and Pop rustled around in their room, gathering their Sunday best for church. I couldn’t explain what had happened to me, but I knew it had been of the devil.
    Mama poked her head in my door. “Son, you’ll be late if you don’t hurry.”
    I stared at the wall. “I’m not going.”
    Without looking at her, I knew her mouth had fallen into an O. She took going to church and her faith very seriously. Mama stepped into my room and shut the door behind her. “Is something the matter?”
    “There are a lot of things the matter. I wouldn’t know where to start. I just don’t think I can go to the same place Grace will be today.” I finally looked at Mama.
    “I’d really hoped last night would settle things between you, but I gather it did not. You mustn’t let her come between you and your faith. I know you don’t talk about it much, but you do believe. It might do you some good to go. It’s cleansing.” Mama held her Bible at her waist.
    After the night before, I wasn’t sure if anything could cleanse me. “She’s gone too far this time. Please don’t be angry with me. I can’t do it.”
    Mama bowed her head. She’d probably pray for me all day. “I could never be angry with you. I love you. And God loves you. And in her own way, I think Grace loves you too. Last night she was very sweet in coming to see you. Why, I don’t think I’ve ever had a more wonderful meal. Or a better night of sleep. I woke fully refreshed.”
    “I’m sure you did.” I clenched my fists. They were blinded too. She must’ve used some sort of wicked sleep potion on them, and they had no idea.
    Mama and Pop left for church.
    I stared at the wooden walls. No one would believe me, a lowly farmhand, if I told the family what Grace had done. There was no reason to bother. It could even possibly be turned around on me.
    She could make it sound as though I had forced myself on her if she wanted to. She’d done it plenty of times already.
    At the wardrobe, I shoved all my expensive clothes aside. The clothes I came here in were in the back, so I pulled them out.
    * * * *
    The church steeple poked into a blue Sunday sky.
    Piano music filtered out open church windows as a chorus sang a hymn. The call to the altar at the end of preaching had started.
    I shoved the doors open.
    Everyone in the church stared at me.
    I marched straight for the parson and stopped beside Grace. I started to look at her, but I simply shook my head and continued on.
    The piano continued to play, but the congregation’s song stopped.
    The parson leaned in to me. “My son, do you need prayer?”
    “Yes. And lots of it. I’d also like to be baptized. I’ve allowed sin into my life.” I looked boldly upon Grace, then back to the parson. “I need it washed away.”
    “There’s nothing that would bring me greater joy. Let us now pray.” As he spoke soothing words of reverence, I silently asked God’s forgiveness for any part I may have had in the evening before or the provocation thereof, though I was pretty sure I’d been faultless. When I looked back up, I gazed past Grace, Mrs. Rollins, and on to Mama.
    She smiled and nodded.
    I followed the parson to the river just outside the church. Within a few minutes, I was baptized and cleansed of all my past transgressions.
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    After the baptismal service, Pop shook my hand and Mama hugged me.
    I felt lighter, stronger, more focused.
    Gripping her skirts, Grace shoved past me, jutted her chin, and strode toward her wagon.
    Before Mama had too much time to study my face, I started