paradise, along with the good, loyal people of every religion.”

Frank nodded in agreement as I shook his hand. I saw that he was no different from anyone else in that place, from those who believed in anything and everything; but, something about him seemed different from Tom, and from the woman from San Diego, and from so many of the people I’d met in the church.

He’s among the third who tuned it out, I thought.

A question formed in my mind and showed on my face; I know because Frank let go of my hand and hastily dismissed himself. A sudden sense of urgency overcame my fatigue. I lurched to the edge of the booth and grabbed the back of his shirt, glad that at least he was wearing a shirt. “Wait up, Frank.”

The meter back to the table seemed a difficult trip for him to take. I was clearly doing something the archangel hadn’t desired; but he only watched, hiding his concern and making no move to stop me.

“I’m still kinda new