4:04 p.m. Passion Ministry

Body and soul soothed by the booze, Rachel anxiously awaited the blessing of the new Passionates. The conference room, jammed with excited followers, smelled of coffee and candle wax.

Harry slouched at Rachel’s side. The half-empty bottle was back in his pocket.

There was a sudden silence as the Apostle strolled into the room. Rachel stared.  Slack-jawed…at the stunning woman holding John’s hand. Mother? She shut her eyes. Reopened them. No, it can’t be true.

She didn’t hear John’s words. Mesmerized, her world had shrunk to the woman’s face.

She was alive. Long hair just as Rachel remembered. From her expression and body movements, Rachel knew her mother was in love with the Apostle. As her father might have said in a moment of alcohol-induced clarity, “Any goose’s ass could see that.”

All these years. Mom...why didn’t you look for me?

“You okay, Miss? Miss?” A hand touched her shoulder. “Look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Startled, Rachel bolted up.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” a red-headed woman sputtered. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Rachel blinked, tears streaking down her cheeks. The room was empty. What’s going on?

“I’m Sheila, Sheila Drysdale,” the woman added, plopping down beside her. “No, no, honey, don’t be embarrassed. Sometimes John’s blessing can have this effect. Why, I’ve even seen some people fall face down in a dead faint.” She stroked Rachel’s hand solicitously.

“John’s blessing...no, Sheila. Tell you the truth, I didn’t hear a word he said.”

“What?” Sheila pulled back. “Didn’t hear...then for goodness sake, why the tears?”

“You...you were right the first time,” Rachel replied, wiping her cheek.

Sheila watched her face.

“I did see a ghost.”