Tides of Truth [02] Higher Hope Read Online Free Page A

bit apprehensive about meeting your family, but I believe I know a lot about them because I’ve spent time with you. The strength of their influence in your life makes Samson look weak.”
    “Is that a good thing?”
    “Mostly.”
    “I want them to like you, especially my parents, but Mama has a lot of discernment and forms strong opinions quickly.”
    “Is she going to tell me all my secret sins?”
    “She believes it’s better to confront sin than ignore it. Anything less is insincere love.”
    “You’ve seen her do that?”
    “Only with family members.”
    “What if the Lord lets me see her sins? Should I tell her?”
    The thought of Zach confronting Mama was so bizarre that I laughed.
    “No,” he said, shaking his finger in my direction. “There’s nothing funny about sin.”
    “And there’s no use worrying about any serious discussions with Mama and Daddy tonight. I’ll give everyone a gift, then we’ll go to sleep. Saturday is a big workday about the house.”
    “I’m counting on you to get me a job suitable for a boy who grew up in L.A.”
    IT WAS ALREADY LATE when we passed through the tiny town of Powell Station. Zach slowed to the speed limit, and I talked rapidly as I tried to point out every building. Both of the town’s traffic lights were green, and even going twenty-five miles an hour, we were on the other side so fast that I didn’t get a chance to mention the old-fashioned ice cream offered at Jackson’s Pharmacy. The chicken plant where Daddy worked wasn’t on the main road.
    “And Oscar Callahan is still recovering from a heart attack,” I said, referring to the town’s only lawyer. “He went to law school with Mr. Carpenter and gave me a good recommendation to the firm.”
    “Where is your church?” Zach asked.
    “Not on this road. It’s in the country about three miles from here. The original church was in town, but a mob burned it down.”
    “A mob?”
    “When the revival started, a lot of people opposed it. My grand-mother says the fire that destroyed the church wasn’t nearly as hot as the Holy Spirit’s power to burn away sin and unbelief. Some people who joined the church lost their jobs, and there were physical threats and violence. But that all happened a long time ago. Compared to the pioneers, we have it easy. The only persecution now is criticism.”
    “Is your grandmother alive?”
    “She lives in Florida with one of my aunts. Mama is a lot like her.”
    We turned onto Beaver Ruin Road. Even in the dark, I pointed out landmarks that couldn’t be seen.
    “We’ll come back in the daytime,” I said, realizing what I was doing. “Putnam’s Pond is a pretty place. Do you like to go fishing?”
    “No, I’m a vegetarian.”
    I froze. I quickly tried to remember the times Zach and I had eaten together. I’d gone to lunch several times with Vince, and I’d seen Julie take big bites from a hamburger. But Zach and I had never been to a restaurant together. I tried to remember what he’d put on his plate at the firm luncheon my first day on the job.
    “Is that a strong belief?” I managed.
    “No, it’s a lame joke.”
    I punched him again on the arm, hard.
    “Ouch,” he said.
    “Good.” I touched the dashboard with my hand. “There’s my driveway. And remember, don’t try to be funny about things like that at my house.”
    Zach braked and turned onto the red-dirt driveway. The car skidded slightly but stayed on the track.
    “It would serve you right to eat some of that dirt,” I said. “With a bug or two thrown in.”
    Exposed tree roots made our driveway bumpier than a cobblestone street. We passed a large tulip poplar and parked beside our family van. The lights on the front porch were turned on in welcome. The rambling white frame house was prettiest at night when its flaws weren’t visible. Our two dogs came running across the yard and barked at the unfamiliar car.
    “Ginger and Flip,” I said, getting out and roughly rubbing the sides