pale-faced flock before him didn't divy up twice as much as they did last week, he wouldn't be able to make payment on the Harley this month.

The organ droned on, and the plates flashed among the hands of those in the congregation. Among them was a boy with dark skin who sat at the back of the church, who fixed his hair in slick, gelled curls. When the golden plate was passed to him, he grabbed it with his left hand, reached into his jacket, and dropped a handful of the change he had stolen from his shift at the grocery store as an offering. The change made an empty, clanging sound as it hit the plastic-coated plate, and a few heads turned toward the noise. Daniel hunched his neck forward, embarrassed, then looked up. At that moment, his eyes met the Preacher's, and they both held them that way for a second before looking away.




Mike always thought that the church could use a little more humility with its decor, but never brought it up at the staff meetings, because the music minister's wife, Connie, and "interior decorator" had been responsible for the church's expensive remodeling just last year.