by Darrell Case
Chapter 24
When the letter arrived from Adam, Edna tore open the envelope. As her eyes scanned the contents, she almost collapsed on the street. The letter told all about the shooting and his injuries. Hurriedly, she made arrangements to leave for Chicago. After making plans for Paul Murray's son to care for the livestock, she boarded the first train out of Apple Valley.
James met her at the station with a horse and buggy the church had recently acquired. Edna fell in love with Victoria immediately. She could sense her gentle, kind nature, and her flashing green eyes fairly shone when she spoke of Adam. When she met Gertie, they hit it off instantly; it was as if they had known each other all their lives.
Before Adam was released from the hospital, James remade the parlor into a bedroom. Adam accepted the new living arrangements with the understanding that it was only temporary.
Adam wasn't sure what to expect his first Sunday back at the church; the O'Malleys were almost an institution there. He started to wheel himself from his office, having spent the morning in prayer. His Bible and sermon notes lay on the seat beside him. Elijah and James met him at the door, both of them unsmiling.
"You best wait here fur a little while, preacher," Elijah said and blocked the doorway.
"We'll take you out when it's time," James agreed, standing at his father's side.
Adam's heart dropped. Why did he think the people would believe him and not O'Malley? His eyes moistened; he was sure this would be his last Sunday.
They waited while Adam with each passing moment became more and more anxious. Then he heard steps coming down the hallway.
Robert Michaels and Conway O'Malley appeared behind James and Elijah. Both men seemed glum.
"We're ready," Conway reported soberly.
"What's going on, fellows?" Adam asked with a slight smile. The smile faltered and died when no one answered.
Instead, James moved behind him as he pushed him out of the office and down the hallway. Conway walked ahead of them, leading the way and Elijah and Michaels fell in step behind. Adam felt as though he were going to his execution. Conway stopped at the door leading to the sanctuary.
"Here we go gentlemen," he said and swung the door open wide.
If he could have, Adam would have turned and ran.
The auditorium was filled to capacity; chairs had even been set up in the back and sides. Every available space was covered. Victoria, Gertie, his mother, Ben Hastings, and Paul Murray occupied the front pew.
Adam's eyes scanned the church, seeing all the familiar faces, trying to read the expressions on their faces. Some were sober, some had a hint of a smile. A nod here and there. He thought his heart would beat out of his chest. It seemed like forever before they reached the front of the church. James parked the wheelchair before the altar with Adam facing the crowd.
When he was positioned beneath the pulpit, Conway, Elijah and James stepped back.
Then it happened.
As if in one motion, the congregation rose to their feet. A few began clapping their hands. Then it spread like wildfire. Everyone was on their feet, applauding, smiling. Some ladies waved their lace handkerchiefs in air. A few wiped tears from their eyes. The sound was almost deafening in the domed church.
Adam could not believe his eyes and ears. He was tempted to cover his ears, it was so loud. Adam's heart swelled in his chest. He looked behind him to see the three men joining in the applause and smiling. Conway stepped up and patted him on the back. Adam waved at the crowd. Unashamedly, he wiped tears from his eyes as well. Why had he ever doubted the Lord? The organ swelled as the choir lifted their voices in 'Amazing Grace'. As the applause died away, the congregation joined the choir on the last verse of the song.
Adam's gaze turned to Victoria. He watched as she dabbed her eyes then mouthed 'I love you'. Looking at the smiling faces, Adam opened his mouth to speak but the words would not come. Finally he managed to get his emotions under control and his voice returned.
"How can I thank you?" Adam asked.
"Make the sermon short, preacher!" Ben Hastings called out. "There's a passel of vittles back there," he said, motioning toward the fellowship hall.
His comments were greeted with a roar of laughter.
Adam smiled. Ben always had a way with words.
"Dear friends," Adam began, "the Lord has brought about a wonderful change in this church. In the second chapter of Acts, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of men. The change was miraculous. Before, Peter had denied the Lord; now he became bold as a lion. Three thousand souls were saved that first day. A few days later, about five thousand men saved, we do not know how many women and children. Beyond our doors lies the city of Chicago. Can we do less than what our Lord asks of us - - to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone?"
Adam caught a glimpse of a hobo in the back of the church. His eyes showed hatred and distrust. The long, scraggly beard covering most of his face was caked with grime. The dirty collar of his floor-length coat was turned up against his neck and the brim of his worn hat was pulled down over his forehead.
Two months ago, he would not have been welcomed on the steps of the church, let alone inside. Hands shoved deep into his pockets, he fingered the pistol. When he had come in, Conway welcomed him and offered to take him to a pew. He shook his head, not daring to speak. Conway left after telling him to sit anywhere he could find an empty seat if he changed his mind.
Shane O'Malley smiled under the heavy beard. Even his own son did not recognize him.
As the sermon ended and the invitation began, he slipped out. The timing was not right. He would come back later.
Back in his office, Adam tried to relax. His head, neck and shoulders ached but his spirit was soaring. The food was fantastic, the fellowship blessed. The deacons' meeting was as it should be, a time of cooperation and looking forward to the things God had planned for the church. The new deacons, Ken Larsen and Frank Marshall, agreed with Adam, Robert and Conway to help out the Pacific Garden Mission.
Adam closed his eyes in prayer. A few minutes later, he heard the door open. He turned the chair to face it. Standing just inside was the hobo, his dirty coat brushing against his pant legs. Snow pooled on the floor. The man stepped further into the office.
Adam smiled his greeting. "May I help you?"
The hobo put his hand in his coat pocket. With his left, he removed his hat. His right hand came out gripping a large caliber pistol.
Adam spoke softly. "There's no need to rob us; we will help you any way we can."
The man just laughed and sneered.
"I've seen your kind of help before, Wakefield, and I'll have none of it," he said with a Scottish accent.
"O'Malley!" Adam said softly, feeling trapped.
"I can see the fear in your eyes," O'Malley snorted. "All that talk about going to heaven and not being afraid to die is just so much garbage."
"Shane, I admit that death does hold a certain amount of fear but I know that I'm
going to Heaven. Do you?"
"Heaven," O'Malley repeated, waving the gun around, "I had my Heaven right here on earth before you and Peabody ruined it."
"Peabody?"
O'Malley cursed. "Haven't figured that one out yet, 'eh? He wanted a bigger piece of the pie; all he got was a pillow in the face."
"Just like me," Adam said thoughtfully, remembering that day in the hospital.
"No," O'Malley retorted, frustrated, "he died."
"Why did you want me as your pastor?"
"Because you were a dumb hillbilly."
Down the hallway, Elijah heard the voices and signaled to James.
"O'Malley, he got a gun." Elijah whispered harshly. James eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
"He done gonna kill the preacher."
"I'll go get a policeman." James said. Galvanized into action, he started down the hall.
Elijah shook his head. "Ain't 'nuf time, he's gonna shoot 'im now!"
"What can we do?"
Elijah thought for a minute.
"I gos in like I gots ta talk to the preacher, you sneak up behind O'Malley and
clobber 'im over the head with something."
"What will I hit him with?"
"Anything you kin find, jest you hit 'em fur all you're worth."
"I. . ." James began but his father was gone down the hallway whistling.
O'Malley cocked the gun. Adam knew his time on earth was short.
"Hey preacher, you want I should get this feller somethin' to eat?"
Elijah was in the office before Adam or O'Malley knew it. Outside, James searched desperately for something with which to hit O'Malley.
"Well, if it isn't my old friend Elijah," O'Malley said, pointing the gun at Elijah's chest.
"Does I know you?" Elijah asked innocently, leaning toward Shane.
"Of course you know me, you stupid old fool!"
James' hand closed on a heavy brass cross. Clutching it, he ran for the office.
"Let me tell you one thing, O'Malley," Elijah said, pointing a bony finger at Shane, "You don't scare me no more."
"Elijah, get back, he'll kill you," Adam cried.
"I'll finish you in a minute, right after I get rid of this minister," O'Malley said. Swinging the gun back to Adam, he squeezed the trigger.
As the gun exploded, Elijah jumped in front of Adam. In that same instant, James hit O'Malley with the heavy cross. Thrown back by the bullet in his chest, Elijah fell across Adam's lap dead.
James screamed. Adam knew if he lived to be a hundred, he would never forget James' cries, and Elijah's sacrifice.
RIVER OF FIRE
