\u201cYou\u2026 you actually came.\u201d<\/p>\n
A hush fell over the room.<\/p>\n
Even the children stopped fidgeting. The organist\u2019s fingers faltered, then stilled. The old woman lifted her head slowly, eyes shining with tears, and gave the pastor a small smile.<\/p>\n
He walked straight past the pulpit, past the deacons and choir, and down the aisle to the last pew.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d ever see you again,\u201d he said, voice barely steady.<\/p>\n
She patted the seat beside her. \u201cSit, Ezra. It\u2019s been a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The entire room sat frozen. The name Ezra hadn\u2019t meant much to them until now. Their pastor was always \u201cPastor Grayson.\u201d No one used his first name.<\/p>\n
He sat beside her, shoulders slumped like a boy caught doing something wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n
The old woman nodded. \u201cI forgave you a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Someone near the front coughed. A baby let out a wail. The organist glanced at the pianist, unsure whether to continue playing.<\/p>\n
Pastor Grayson stood up slowly and faced the congregation. \u201cThis\u2026 this is my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gasps rippled through the room. An elderly man in the third pew leaned over to his wife. \u201cI thought she was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n
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