You saw him?

Yeah.

Say hello?

Kept walking. Went right past me. Didn’t even tip his hat. Or smile. Just strolled into church like he owned the place. Like all these people were there waiting for him.  Walked right down the aisle. Took a seat at the end of the pew. Stared straight ahead the whole time Pastor Taylor was preaching. We were led in song; he didn’t sing.

Why you think he came back?

Lord knows.

Lord knows he’s a sinner.

We’re all sinners.

Yeah, but he’s a special kind of sinner. He lied. Couldn’t confess till it was too late. Getting that girl pregnant.  Grown man? He knew better.

That’s a rumor.

She left town. Some said she went over to Johnson County for an abortion. Kill an unborn. I guess he was OK with that. People say he paid for it.

I know his wife left him.

Yeah. Don’t blame her.

No. Course not.

So you saw him?

Yeah. Went right past me.