the bush and give what you think is a politically correct answer that will help you land a job upon graduation.'
'I'd never do that.'
'Good. Start by giving me a straight answer.'
I sat up in my chair. A head-on challenge required fearlessness in the face of attack. Zach Mays probably didn't have the power to revoke the summer job offer, but even if he did, I wouldn't compromise.
'I've been a Christian since I prayed with my mother at the altar of our church when I was a little girl.'
'Did your spiritual journey stop there?'
'No, it's a lifetime relationship with Jesus Christ that affects every aspect of life. I'm always trying to learn and grow.'
'Do you believe there are other ways for sincere people to find God?'
'No, there is only one way.'
'It's your way or the highway?'
I didn't like to be mocked, but it was part of the persecution of the righteous. At least I knew where I stood when an assault came.
'My beliefs aren't based on my opinions. The Bible says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through him.'
'Doesn't that sound narrow-minded?'
'It is narrow-minded. But truth doesn't depend on popular consensus or opinion polls. The Bible also says the road that leads to eternal life is narrow, and only a few find it. Pretending that someone who tries to live a good life or believes in the god of another religion will make it into heaven is a cruel deception.'
'And you're convinced about your religious perspective?'
'Enough to tell you what I believe without beating around the bush.' I looked directly into his eyes and took a deep breath. 'If you had a wreck on your motorcycle later today and died on the side of the road, would you go to heaven?'
The corner of the lawyer's lips curled up. Whether in a smile or a sneer, I couldn't tell. He pointed to the picture of the beautiful woman on his desk.
'Who do you think that is?'
'I don't know.'
'That's my older sister. She's a nurse at a clinic in Zambia.'
I wasn't going to be easily deterred. 'My question deserves an answer.'
Zach ignored me. 'She's a missionary in Africa.'
'A Christian missionary?'
'Yes.'
'Has she talked to you the same way I am?'
The lawyer shook his head. 'No, actually, I'm the one who led her to faith in Jesus Christ. It happened at a summer camp for home schoolers we attended in Oregon. One year she realized the faith of our parents had to become real for her.'
I sat back in the chair. 'You were homeschooled?'
'Since kindergarten. The first time I entered a public school classroom was to take a course at a local community college when I was sixteen. My high school graduation was sponsored by a homeschool association in Southern California.'
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I pointed to the picture of the older couple. 'Your parents?'
'Yes. They were part of the Jesus movement and lived in a Christian commune for a number of years.'
'A Christian commune?'
'Yep. Remember how the early believers in the book of Acts didn't claim any private property but held everything in common for the good of all?'
'Yes.'
'That's what my parents and some of their friends did. Does your church believe that part of the Bible?'
'We believe every word of the Bible.'
'Do you follow the part about sharing everything with other Christians?'
'Not exactly the same way, but we give to people in need. Members of the church have helped me financially even though they didn't have to.'
'That's good, but it's not having all things in common. My parents held on to the ideal for years but gave up on group Christianity when I was about ten years old. After that, we lived in the same area as people in our fellowship, but every family had its own checkbook. It takes a zealous group of believers to be biblical in every aspect of their lifestyle.'
I'd always considered myself and those like me the epitome of zeal, not in a prideful way, but in humble recognition of our respon sibility to walk in the light given us. Suddenly, new biblical revelation I'd not considered loomed before me like a fog bank.
'What are you thinking?' the lawyer asked, interrupting my thoughts.
'Do I have to reveal my secret thoughts as part of the interview process?'
'No.'
'And you haven't been taking notes.'
The lawyer laughed. It was a pleasant sound.
'I won't be preparing a memo to Mr. Carpenter about the details of this conversation. It would require too much background information that he wouldn't understand.'
'So why did you ask your spiritual journey question?'
Zach smiled. 'I could tell that your beliefs dictated the way you dress. But your preferences could have been caused by a lot of things.'
'It's not a preference; it's a conviction,' I responded firmly. 'We believe in modesty for women and that there should be a difference between the sexes in clothing. Women should wear skirts or dresses.'
'You've never worn blue jeans?'
'Not one day in my life.'
The lawyer started to speak, then closed his mouth. 'I'll have time this summer to learn more about you,' he said.
His comment made me feel like an insect under a microscope. I looked for an air of judgment or condemnation on his face but didn't detect it. As we walked out of the building, I told him we shared the common bond of a homeschool education.
'Until I attended the local high school,' I said.
'And played basketball?'
'Yes. I'm on an intramural team now.'
Outside, it was a pleasant day with a breeze blowing. The humidity of the previous afternoon had been swept away. Zach opened the car door for me. I hesitated.
'What brought you to Savannah?' I asked. 'It's a long way from Southern California.'
'We'll save that for later.'
'But that violates rule number one.'
Zach smiled. 'Rules don't apply to me.'
9
MOSES JONES AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS ON THE dock. He opened his eyes and peered through the mosquito netting. It was early morning with a heavy fog rising from the surface of the river. The fog covered the dock and kept him from seeing in the dim light. A different fear crawled over the gunwale of the boat.
'Who be there?' he called out, his voice trembling slightly. 'That you, Mr. Floyd? I done told you, she ain't here!'
'Chatham County Sheriff's Department. What's your name?'
