Heretics book 3 - The Apocryphile Press

THE KINGDOM :: 319
“No, Dylan, that’s not what it means,” Bishop Tom said
gravely. “You see, the moment they ousted you, I quit. I
walked right up to the Presiding Bishop and handed over my
episcopal ring. So you still have a bishop. You still have me.
So maybe we’re a very small church right now, but Jesus
said, ‘Wherever two or three are gathered, I am there among
them,’ and we are many more than two or three. The forces
of darkness do not have the upper hand yet, my friend. We
stand together.”
Dylan’s throat swelled and he swallowed hard to clear it.
He wiped at his eyes and sniffed. “Dude, that damn well
makes up for it. Thank you for sacrificing...thank you for
believin’ in us.”
“I do believe in you, Fr. Dylan. I’ll want to talk to Richard
later, when he’s finished...feeding. I don’t think I want to
know. Anyway, blessings to you, my friend.” And Bishop
Tom hung up.
Dylan sat frozen, staring at his cell phone for a few
moments.
“What?” Susan demanded. “What did he say?”
Dylan related the substance of the conversation and
watched with satisfaction as Susan and Terry responded with
nearly as much emotion as he had.
Kat said, “I never in my life thought I would like a
Catholic bishop, but Tom sounds like a really wonderful
guy.”
Susan nodded. “He is. And it was a huge sacrifice for him.
We have to invite him for a visit soon.”
“And pay his way,” added Terry.
For several minutes they all sat in silence, too stunned and
moved to speak. Finally, Terry sighed. “Should have warded
the potty room.”
“You in bad shape yet?” Dylan asked. Susan took up her
knitting again.