This last request, though he prays for all of us, was mostly for Matt. I'm humbled and thankful for this good man's prayer over the one I love. I hope Matt will find the truth before it's too late.
"Amen," Andrew says and we each echo the closing word.
When I look up, I see that no one else is holding hands; just Tim and I. I look over my shoulder and see Matt watching us. I drop Tim's hand, and Tim looks sadly away from me.
With nothing left but to get in the car, Tim, Harmony and I turn to find a seat. I'm not sure where to sit. Rosa is sleeping in the back, and she is my responsibility. But with Thomas and Matt both in the front, there is only one seat left there; and I know neither Tim or Harmony will want to sit there. Tim sees my dilemma and solves it by sliding into the front seat. So it's guys in the front and girls in the back.
Andrew leans down and embraces Tim before shutting the front passenger side door. Andrew nods politely at me and pushes our back door shut. Matt cranks the car, and the old engine roars to life. Tim starts to roll down his window for one more farewell word to his brother, but Matt steps on the gas, kicking up dirt and stones, and we're away. Tim, Harmony and I turn around in our seats to look behind at Andrew standing alone in the starlight. It must be gut-wrenching for Tim.
The car plows through the thick underbrush, bumping and jostling us as the bottom scrapes over the rough, dead vegetation. Then we are through the weeds and out on the road and driving towards tomorrow. The small town of Toccoa is quickly behind us, and I doubt I'll ever see it again. When I glance back to say my own private goodbye to the place I've called home, I see billows of smoke rising from the center of town—and I know it's all my fault.
INFECtIOUS Page 33
