Maundy Thursday, April 1, 6:30 p.m. Passion Ministry

“I’ve been betrayed, Andy,” John said, slumped on Jimmy’s bed. “Maggie...oh, it’s all finished now. What we worked for, tried to protect. I don’t want them thinking Jimmy’s a monster or that we did this for money.”

Andrew remained silent, focused on reading a thermometer.

John caressed the sleeping boy’s forehead. “I want them to know he’s...oh, dear Lord…loved, cherished. That his return was ordained. That I...we...were instruments of God’s will.” John reached for his locket. “He gave us the tools. It was time.”

“I’ve asked Sheila to stall.”

“Stall? I don’t want to stall, Andy. I just told you. I want them to know, to understand, to believe. He... he’s the Christ child, Andy. The world must welcome and worship him.”

Andrew jabbed the thermometer at John. “I know who he is.”

“That’s my point! I’m doing everything to protect him.” John fingered his worry rope. “To ward off evil.”

“Evil? What evil?” Andrew held John’s shoulder. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t you feel it?” John whispered. “It... it’s stronger now, with us.”

“You’re not well, your imagination’s running—”

“It’s here, I tell you!” John shouted. “There’s no more time, you and I... we know. But you’ve got the scientific explanation—”

Andrew shook his head. “What? And have those other bastards steal it or mock me when they can’t replicate it? You promis—”

“Look!” John implored, ripping off bandages. “The wounds’re still gone! Jimmy... somehow he’s embraced my pain. As Christ embraces our sins.”

He held up a healed wrist.

“The world’s full of skeptics. It doesn’t matter, Andy. For Jimmy’s sake, you’ve got to show them.”