Daniel smiled happily, watching his parishioners chatting with each other. Many of them had already come up to him to tell him how moving his sermon had been. He turned to see Ruby and Bonita approaching.
“I am so glad we did this, Reverend Cooper,” the older woman said. “It was wonderful hearing your sermon, especially here in this room when I remember that night that we all feared for your life and prayed that you would be all right. It’s just as you said. That night was a wonderful miracle, and we will thank God every day for watching over you and preserving your life.”
“Daniel, if you’re not out of the hospital by then, we’d like to do this again next Sunday,” Bonita said.
“I would love that,” the minister responded with a smile, delighted that he wasn’t going to miss giving his sermons.
Doctor Harding, the neurologist who had attended to Daniel, came forward and shook the minister’s hand. “I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see you there like that, Daniel, when I know how close you came to not making it. I’ve never been a very religious man. In fact, this was the first sermon I’ve listened to in many years. But if miracles do exist, I believe that I was a part of one that night.” He looked around at the people assembled. “This still amazes me, that these people care so much about you. You must be a very special man.”
Daniel shook his head. “It’s these people who are special, Doctor Harding, every one of them.”
“Yet it was for you that they gathered together in prayer. I’d say that makes you pretty special too.” He nodded as if to add emphasis to the statement. “Well, I need to get back to work. It was nice seeing you again.”
More people came up to chat with the minister, including some from the hospital.
“It was great being able to attend services here,” a nurse said. “I don’t get many Sundays off, so I often miss church. Some of us in the staff who came today are going to talk to Administration and see if we can get them to agree on having nondenominational services held here every Sunday.”
“That would be wonderful,” Daniel responded.
“If you didn’t already have a parish, we’d ask you to be the one to give the services, Reverend Cooper. Your sermon was very inspiring. I would love to hear one from you again.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say. If we can arrange it, and if I’m still in the hospital, I will be giving a sermon here again next Sunday.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Gradually, all of Daniel’s parishioners came up to him to say goodbye. The chapel was almost empty when a man approached in a wheelchair. He held out his hand, which Daniel shook, and introduced himself as Ross Freeman.
“That was quite a sermon you gave, Reverend Cooper,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve listened to one that was more from the heart than it was.” He paused. “You’re even better than your father.”
Daniel’s heart skipped a beat as dread raced through him. The man noticed the expression that passed over the minister’s face.
“Yes, I know who you are. I watched your father on TV several times. I also read the tabloids about that whole incident in Las Vegas. I was talking to some of the hospital staff members who were here, and they told me about your accident. So, you’ve been here in Washington for the past year. I was wondering what happened to you.”
“What do you want, Mister Freeman?” Daniel asked, his dread growing stronger.
“I want to give you a job.”
The minister blinked in surprise. “Excuse me?”
The man smiled. “I am a producer for a Christian television station, WOGN, The Word of God Network. We have been looking for ministers to fill some available spots we have in our weekly programs, and, listening to you preach, I feel that you would be perfect. There is an air of sincerity, humility, and . . . and gentle faith about you, which, I must say, is very appealing. Your father is good at what he does, but he is like most other televangelists. He is preaching to the crowds, not to the individuals. I didn’t get that feeling from you. You were preaching to each and every person in this room.”
“Mister Freeman, I appreciate what you’re saying, and I am very flattered, but I don’t want to be a minister on TV. If I did, I would be with my father in his ministry.”
The producer’s eyebrows lifted. “Really? You’re not like your father in more ways than I thought. You really don’t want to be a televangelist?”
“No. My place is with my congregation. That’s where God sent me, and that’s where I want to be.”
“Well, I have to say that is a very admirable attitude.” He studied Daniel’s face. “You surprised me today, Reverend Cooper. I heard from a nurse that there were going to be services in the chapel today, given by one of the patients, a congregational minister. That intrigued me, so I decided to come here and check it out. When I came in and saw you, I immediately recognized you. After that, I was even more intrigued. What was the son of Cliff Cooper doing in a hospital in Seattle? To be brutally honest, I really didn’t expect much, knowing what I do about your past. But then came my first surprise when you picked up that guitar and began playing it and singing hymns with us. I have never seen a minister do that, and I have been in a lot of different churches in my life. You have a very pleasing voice, by the way.”
Daniel blushed. “Um, thank you.”
Freeman nodded. “But that surprise was nothing compared to when you started to preach. I saw something in your eyes, a . . . a love and reverence that humbled me. You weren’t just speaking the words, you were feeling them. It was very inspiring. You must love God and your ministry a great deal.”
“Yes, I do.”
“This . . . thing that happened in Las Vegas. What brought it about?” Seeing the look on Daniel’s face, he hastily added, “I swear to you that it will go no farther than me.”
Daniel studied the man a long time before deciding to answer him. “I lost someone I loved very much.”
“A woman?”
“Yes. It sent me over the edge. I hadn’t really set out to go to Las Vegas and do what I did. It just happened.”
The man nodded. “I think I understand. I’ve lost people I love too, my wife and daughter in a car accident two years ago.”
“I’m so sorry. Ka-- The woman I loved died the same way.”
“If I hadn’t had the rest of my family and my friends, I do believe that I might have done something rash as well,” Freeman admitted. He smiled, though it was a rather sad smile. “I’m not so surprised now that you could preach as you did. You are obviously a man who feels emotions very deeply. May I ask you something?”
Daniel nodded.
“Why did you come here? Why have you been secreted away on that little island? Yes, I know where you live. One of the nurses told me.”
Daniel said nothing for a while, not knowing how much he should say to this man who, though seemingly sincere, might really be looking for a story. “There were a lot of reasons, Mister Freeman. Some had to do with my father, others with myself. I wanted to start my life over, and Hope Island became the place where I did that.”
Freeman smiled again. “I have a feeling that there is quite a story behind all of this, even more of a story than what I already know. Do you ever plan on telling it, I mean to the public?”
“Someday.”
“When you do, I would be very honored and pleased if you were to allow us to interview you. We have a program where we interview members of the clergy and other individuals who have inspiring stories to tell, and I have a feeling that your story would be one our audience would like to hear.”
“I’ll think about it, Mister Freeman.”
“That’s all I can ask. Well, I’d better get back to my room. My treatments will be coming up in an hour, and the nurses tend to get antsy if I’m not in my room.”
“Treatments?”
“Yes.” The man paused. “I have cancer, Reverend Cooper. The doctors give me a year to live, two at the most.”
Sorrow filled Daniel. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. I know you don’t speak those words just because they are the thing to say. There is one good thing about this. I will get to see my wife and daughter again soon.” He held out his hand again to the minister. “It was a privilege meeting you, Reverend Cooper.”
“You too, Mister Freeman.”
As Daniel watched the man leave, Bonnie and Callie came up to him.
“So, who was that?” the journalist asked.
“Ross Freeman. He’s a TV producer for WOGN.”
“A. . . . Daniel, did he recognize you?” Bonnie asked. There was concern on her face.
“Yes, he did, but I don’t think we have to worry about him.”
“What did he want?” Callie asked.
Daniel grinned. “To give me a job.”
“A job?” both women asked in astonishment.
Daniel recounted his conversation with the producer.
Callie laughed. “Well, you sure are in demand, Daniel. One of the nurses asked me if you were single.”
“So did one of the doctors,” Molly said as she walked up to them.
The minister blushed furiously.
“I told the nurse you were taken,” Callie informed him.
“And that’s what I told the doctor,” Molly added with a grin.
Daniel’s blush spread all the way down his neck. “Let’s go back to my room,” he stammered.
“Actually, I need to get going,” Callie said, chuckling. “I want to do some shopping before it’s time to catch the ferry back.”
“Me too,” Molly said. “Though I wanted to say hi to Alex before I left. Do you know where she is?”
Daniel glanced at his mother out of the corner of his eye. “Um, no, I don’t.”
“Oh well. I’ll see her tomorrow.” She gave Daniel a hug. “Thank you for the sermon. I’ll be looking forward to the one next week.”
Daniel said goodbye to the last of his parishioners and went back to his room with Bonnie and Dylan. Alex wasn’t there when they got there, which he was almost grateful for. He had a feeling that he was going to have to tell his mother why Alex did not stay for the services, and the longer he had to prepare for that, the better.
Alex showed up around fifteen minutes later. She looked at Bonnie nervously, then turned her attention to Daniel. “How were the services?”
“They were great. Thanks again to both of you for arranging them.”
“We were happy to do it, Daniel,” Bonnie said. She looked at Alex’s son. “Dylan, would you do me a big favor? I would love a cup of hot tea. Could you go down to the cafeteria and get me one? Earl Grey, if they have it.”
“Earl Grey?” Dylan asked blankly.
“It’s a kind of tea. Do you think you can remember that?”
“Sure.”
Bonnie gave him some money. “There’s enough there for you to get yourself some milk or juice. No sweets. We don’t want you to spoil your lunch.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Dylan went off on his errand. As soon as the door was shut behind him, Bonnie turned to the others in the room.
Daniel started fidgeting with his bedspread. “Um, Mom, I--”
“It’s all right, Daniel. I already know,” his mother interrupted.
“You do?” both he and Alex said, stunned.
“Yes. Dylan told me that you don’t go to church, Alex. I guess he didn’t realize that you were trying to keep it a secret from Cliff and me.”
“Mom, I’m sorry,” Daniel said, suddenly feeling horrible. “It wasn’t that I wanted to deceive you. I . . . I just didn’t want there to be trouble with Dad.”
“I understand, Daniel. I really do. I love your father dearly, but he can be rather inflexible when it comes to some things. I know how he would react to this news.” She stepped toward her son. “But, honey, you can’t keep this from him forever. He’ll need to know eventually.”
Daniel sighed. “I know. But not yet. It would be better if he found out after, well, after things are back to normal.”
“I agree,” Bonnie said.
“Then you won’t tell him?” Daniel asked, surprised.
“No.” She smiled at the expression on her son’s face. “Daniel, he may be my husband, but that doesn’t mean I tell him everything. When the time is right, you will tell him. I trust your judgment.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Daniel said gratefully.
The rest of the day passed far too quickly. Before they knew it, it was time for Alex and Dylan to leave.
“Hey, buddy. I’m going to miss you until next weekend,” Daniel told Alex’s son.
“Me too,” Dylan said. He turned to his mother. “Mom, couldn’t I just stay out of school for a couple of days?” he pleaded.
Alex shook her head. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but that wouldn’t be a good idea. I don’t want you getting behind on your school work.”
Daniel looked at the sad expression on the boy’s face. As they were leaving, he asked to talk to Alex alone.
“Alex, you really don’t have to stay here this upcoming week. I know that Dylan must be missing you. You should just stay home, then come back next weekend.”
“I don’t want to do that, Daniel. Your mom will be leaving Tuesday. You’d be alone after that if I didn’t come back.”
“I think I can handle it, Alex. I’m just trying to think of Dylan. He’s never been without his mother for this long.”
Alex studied the minister’s face. She knew that Dylan had been missing her, just like she’d been missing him, but she didn’t want to leave Daniel alone in the hospital, especially not during his therapy. He’d made no secret of the fact that he appreciated having her there with him while undergoing the therapy.
“Well, how about if I talk to Dylan about this, okay?” she asked.
“Okay.”
After she was gone, Daniel fell silent. Bonnie came back in and watched him for a while. “You love her a great deal,” she stated.
Daniel turned his head to look at her. “Yes, I do.”
“More than Kate?”
The minister thought about that for a while. “I can’t really say for sure. I think, in some ways, I do. But the way I feel about Alex is different from what I felt for Kate. Kate made me feel . . . calm, in a way. My feelings for her were more even-keel. No real highs or lows. But with Alex it’s not like that. With her I feel . . . so alive. I feel more energized. She brings out the . . . the passion in me. There have been times when the sparks really flew between us. Sometimes, she drives me crazy, while, other times, I just want to gaze at her for hours. She is absolutely amazing in so many ways.”
Bonnie smiled. “This reminds me of my first love.”
“Your first love?”
“Yes. Before I met your father, I fell in love with a boy in our congregation. I was very young at the time. He made me feel much like how you say Alex makes you feel. We dated for six months, then his family moved out of state. It broke my heart. Then, the following year, your father came along.”
“How did he make you feel?”
“Like Kate made you feel, calm and comfortable. It was so different from what I’d felt for Bryce that I didn’t realize at first that it was love. As I told you before, it took me a while to figure out that he was the one for me.”
“Do you ever think about that other guy and wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t moved away.”
“Yes, I have, though not in a long time. I think we would have had a good life if we’d stayed together, though it would have been very different from the one I’ve had with your father. Would it have been better? I can’t say. But I don’t regret for an instant that things turned out as they did.” Bonnie laid her hand on Daniel’s cheek. “If I had stayed with Bryce, I wouldn’t have had you, and you have always been the greatest joy of my life.”
Daniel laid his hand over hers. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart, and I am so very proud of you.”
Daniel fell silent again, thinking about something. “A few nights ago, I had a dream,” he finally said quietly.
“What sort of dream?”
“It was strange. I was standing between two worlds. In the one world, ultimate joy and peace was waiting for me, happiness without end. But to have that world, I’d have to leave behind all the people I love. The other world had joy and happiness too, but there was also sorrow, pain, and the day to day struggles of living. Yet, in that world, the people I love would be with me. I had to choose between the two worlds.”
“Which one did you choose?”
“I woke up before I made the choice.”
Bonnie thought about the dream for a moment. “Which one do you think you would have chosen?”
“Thinking about it now, while I’m awake, I’d say that I would choose the world where my loved ones were, but . . . that other world was so beautiful. It called to something deep inside me. And there was love there too, a love that spoke to my heart like nothing else ever has.”
Though she didn’t know why, Daniel’s dream made Bonnie feel uneasy. She clasped her son’s hand in hers.
Daniel gave a small laugh. “I don’t know why I told you this. It was just a dream.”
“Yes, but dreams often come from our inmost thoughts and feelings. Perhaps, deep inside you, you believe that you’re going to have to make a choice about something.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know. I could be wrong. It could very well have been just a meaningless dream.”
Daniel nodded. “Strangely, I get the feeling that. . . .”
“What?”
The minister shook his head. “Nothing. Let’s forget about it.”
They changed the subject and talked about other things until it was time for Bonnie to leave.
Later that night, Daniel lay in the darkness of his room, staring at the moon, which he could see out his window. The dream of several nights ago came unbidden to his mind again. If given the choice, which world would he pick? Daniel drifted off to sleep, the question left unanswered.