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A slow smile spread across Pastor Munson's face. "I think you're right. Your mama needs a husband."
M"You do?"
M"Yah, surely. But I have a question. Do you feel ready to have a new papa?"
MSuddenly Kate felt afraid. She hadn't thought about that.
M"It would change your life, you know. A new papa might have a family of his own."
M"Maybe I'd get a sister," Kate answered. "I've always wanted a little sister. But what if I got a brother? That would be awful." To herself she added, Unless it was someone like Michael, that is.
MFor a moment she sat there, biting her lip and thinking. Pastor Munson will find a husband from Minneapolis. I can still see my friends. I can learn to play the organ.
MThen she remembered Mama crying at night. More than anything, she wanted Mama happy again.
MIn that moment Kate made up her mind. Inside, she felt uneasy, as though something wasn't quite right. Yet she pushed the feeling away. When she answered, her voice was clear and strong. "I want Mama to have a new husband."
M"Then I'll pray," answered Pastor Munson.
M"And you'll help?"
M"If I can."
M"You won't tell Mama I've been here?"
MPastor Munson shook his head, his face solemn. "It'll be our secret."
M"Good." Kate felt relieved. She stood up to go. "It's all settled then."
MBut Pastor Munson held up his hand. "Just a minute, young lady."
MKate stopped in her flight to the door.
M"Before you go, we need to pray about it. We better ask God to help us."
MKate nodded. "I thought you'd be good at that."
M"Oh, I am. I've had lots of practice." His dark eyes twinkled. "But since you asked my help, I thought you'd like to pray for me."
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M"Me? I pray for you?"
M"Yah." The word was soft. Then the room was silent, filled with waiting.
M"Me?" Kate asked again. Even when she had felt the most scared, she hadn't thought of anything that awful. "But that's what pastors are paid for."
MPastor Munson's eyes seemed to smile, yet his voice sounded serious. "It's hard being a matchmaker. I think I need God's help."
MSlowly Kate sat down again. Slowly she bowed her head. Her thoughts felt like the squirrels racing up and down the tree outside the church. What do I say? she wondered in panic. Me pray for him?
M"Just make it simple," said Pastor Munson as though reading her thoughts.
MThat made Kate even more uncomfortable. In the silence a clock ticked, and the moment stretched long between them. Kate's ideas refused to come out in order. For a long time she'd been angry at God. Often she'd told him, "If you love me, God, why did you let Daddy die?" For a long time she'd told herself, "God can't possibly hear my prayer."
MBut Kate felt desperate. For Mama's sake she needed to try. And Pastor Munson waited.
MKate squeezed her eyes shut and cleared her throat. "Mama needs your help, God," she prayed. "She needs a husband. Help Pastor Munson find one. Ah-men."
MAs Kate looked up, Pastor Munson opened his eyes. A wide smile lit his face. Standing up, he reached out his hand to shake Kate's. "Thank you. I'll do the best I can."
MSomehow Kate felt better. Mumbling a quick thanks, she headed for the door. As she reached the safety of the hallway, she even felt good about what she'd done.
MShe turned back to Pastor Munson. "I can hardly wait to see what happens!"
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