Chapter 22

Holy Wednesday, March 31, 4:13 p.m. Passion Ministry

“Mother?” Rachel called softly. She stepped into the open garden and inhaled the scent of newly-turned earth.

A colorful variety of spring bulbs welcomed her. The rounded beds, punctuated by sundials and bird baths, already spilled over with sprouting perennials. Buds swelled on azaleas, rhododendrons and a single dogwood. Rachel had almost forgotten her mother’s yen for growing plants.

A women’s uneven sobs broke her reverie.

“Mom?” She followed a whimsical spiral path to find Maggie hunched on a wooden bench. With a gasp, Rachel knelt beside her. Hugged her mother’s swaying body.

At her touch, Maggie whimpered and clung to her daughter as though she were sliding off a cliff. Finally, she lifted her face.

Rachel waited, certain that her mother wanted to tell her something. She could almost hear the words. As if Maggie were attempting to communicate through her thoughts.

“Mom, it might help if you talked about it.”

“Oh, if only you knew and…understood.”

“Knew…understood what?”

Maggie’s eyes scrutinized her daughter’s face.