Flickering Hope by Naomi Kinsman

Author:Naomi Kinsman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780310726654
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Published: 2011-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Angels We Have Heard on High

The sanctuary smelled like lemon wood-polish, perfume, and throat lozenges, so different from the Catholic church downtown, which smelled of wax, dust, and incense. The Catholic church made me want to nestle quietly on a pew or light a candle. This church, with its bright overhead lights and cheerful noise of mingled voices, made me feel I should strike up a conversation with everyone near me. Since I only attended youth group and not regular Sunday service, I rarely came into this sanctuary. But I had been Ruth’s friend long enough to meet the church regulars.

Tonight everyone was bundled in coats and scarves, ready to head out to Hiawatha to sing door-to-door. I had never gone caroling or been visited by carolers. “What will they sing?” I asked Ruth.

She pointed to the song books. “They take books out, because most people only know the first verse of Christmas carols.”

“I’m not sure I even know the first verses,” I said.

“You girls sure you don’t want to come?” Ruth’s dad asked.

I actually did want to go, but I wasn’t sure if that was yet another form of procrastination. I really didn’t want to have to talk to Doug about the family in the woods.

Doug appeared through a side door, and as if he read my mind, he said, “May we join you caroling after we meet? If that’s okay with you girls, that is.”

Ruth looked at me, and I smiled. “I’ve never been caroling before, but it sounds kind of fun.”

Ruth’s dad beamed. “I’ll bring my cell so you can find us.”

The carolers gathered together as Ruth and I followed Doug into his office. Actually it was more like a walk-in closet with three desks and chairs where Penny, Ben, and Doug all worked together. A rat’s nest of cables covered Ben’s desk. Penny’s desk held a wild assortment of random items— hair spray, balloons, glow sticks, and a rubber chicken.

Doug’s desk held stacks of papers, organized into piles. He sat on his desk with his foot on his chair. “Have a seat, ladies. Don’t mention the rubber chicken. Penny will blow her top if I ruin her surprise.”

“What’s the chicken for?” I couldn’t help asking.

Doug held his hands up in resistance. “I can’t tell. I’ve promised on a double-decker ice cream sundae. As in I will give it up if I spill the beans. So it’s not happening.”

“Did the research group find a family?” I asked.

“We keep running into dead ends. One suggestion was actually someone from youth group, but the person didn’t want everyone to know about his family situation. Which I certainly respect. And a few families in church have deep need, but don’t have children. The research group feels strongly that we should choose a family with kids, and I agree.”

Ruth nearly bounced in her seat with excitement. “Do you want to tell him, or should I?”

I laced and unlaced my fingers together, again and again. I didn’t know which I was more worried about—the danger to Patch or Andrew’s anger.

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