“Yeah?”
“You know how you said you thought it meant your past was gone, that there was just nothing there?”
“That’s what I thought at the time, but I’m not sure what it means now. Why? What are you getting at?”
She jabbed at a glowing log, and sparks floated into the night air ten feet or so before cooling and disappearing. “Well, maybe it didn’t mean your past.” She paused but Jed could tell she wasn’t finished, that her mind was churning with some thought that had been bouncing around in there for days, ever since he told them about the recurrent dream he’d had. “I mean, the house kinda reminds me of a book, and each room is a chapter or a bunch of chapters. And what if the last room is the last chapter and it’s blank because God isn’t finished writing it yet? For any of us.”
Jed had to pause and reframe the entire dream. She was right, of course. Jed had been spending too much time looking back, trying to relive the past, when it was now time to look forward. God wasn’t finished with him yet; his story was still being written.
Karen pulled her eyes away from the fire and fixed them on Jed. She stared at him for a long time, seeming to read his thoughts. Finally she just smiled at him and went back to studying the movement of the flames.
Lilly half giggled and sighed loudly. “Do you know what would be really cool?”
Jed smiled. “What would be really cool, kiddo?”
She giggled again. “If you two got remarried.”
Karen looked at Jed, firelight dancing on her face, and at that moment he almost lost himself in her eyes. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“But we’re already married,” Karen said.
“And I even remember most of it.” Jed laughed and pulled Lilly close. “Would we get married as Eric and Angie Bingsley?”
“No. As Mom and Dad.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Mom and Dad? That would look awfully silly on a marriage certificate.”
Lilly was quiet for a time, staring at the flames and thinking. “You could just renew your promises. It would be like a new beginning.”
Jed and Karen looked at each other, grinning softly.
That new chapter, unwritten, blank, waiting for words to be penned.
This is the part of the book where I get to thank all those who played a role in the creation of this story. Contrary to a popular misconception, writers do not just speak a story into existence. We all wish it would be that easy, but that power is reserved for God alone. The reality is that it takes multiple individuals months and months to bring you the story you now hold in your hands. Furthermore, I would be a complete jerk if I tried to take all the credit for the finished product. And I’m not a jerk. Well, we all have our moments, don’t we? I’m at least not a complete jerk.
So, with everyone else in mind and in the spirit of giving credit where it is really due, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the following people:
First of all, Jesus. Yes, this might seem clichéd, but I can assure you, to me there is nothing clichéd about Jesus. He is my Savior, my Lord, my Friend, my Guide, my Rock. All of this, ultimately, is for him, and without him none of it would be possible. I am nothing. He is everything.
I also want to thank my wife, Jen. She supports me, encourages me, pushes me, admonishes me when I need it, and spends a lot of time and patience just putting up with me. She is truly a gift from God.
My daughters need to be thanked as well. I’m not the dad they deserve and they love me anyway. They inspire me to be more and do more than I think I can be and do. I love being a dad, and they are the reason for that.
Thanks to my agent, Les Stobbe, for his guidance and wisdom. It’s nice to have someone like him in my corner. I am privileged and blessed.
Big thanks go to my readers who stick with me book after book. Without them this wouldn’t be possible. What’s a book without readers? Just words. Readers give it a soul and a life. Readers inspire. Readers fan the flame. Readers pay the bills. Special thanks to my Darlington Society for the continuous prayers and support. They are a special group, indeed.
Another big thank-you goes to my editors at Tyndale House, Jan Stob and Caleb Sjogren. These are the folks who make sure this book has its shirt tucked in and hair combed neatly before it shows its face in public. If there are any mistakes, any inconsistencies, the fault is mine. These two are pure professionals.
Thanks to the marketing team, the sales team, the design team, and anyone else at Tyndale who has a played a role in the production of this story. We are all members of the same body!
Lastly, thanks to my parents and family for never giving up on me, for seeing what could and would be, for praying, and for encouraging. Their support does not go unappreciated.
Though Peter’s faith was buried deep in his mind, it is still present. The Bible says nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39) and “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28). So we can never be taken from God, but can our faith ever be taken from us?
Throughout the book, Peter uses lethal force to defend himself and others. He feels remorse for this, but he sees no alternative. Are his choices justified? When, if ever, is a person justified in taking another life?
Where does faith in Christ reside? In our minds or someplace deeper? Our soul?
Peter is led to believe many things that turn out to be lies. Think of a time when you’ve heard conflicting stories and were uncertain which was true. How did this uncertainty make you feel? How did you discern truth from fiction?
How would you describe Peter’s faith at different stages of the story? Are there turning points, or is his spiritual growth gradual? What exactly does it mean for a person to believe in Jesus?
Peter finds it difficult to surrender to Jesus. What is the natural, human response when asked to surrender? What makes it harder for some and easier for others?
Have you ever questioned your faith? What were the circumstances, and what was the outcome? Where is the line between honest questions and faithless doubting?
Do you know anyone who lost their mental capabilities but retained their faith in Christ? How would you explain that? What role does the Holy Spirit play?
Have you ever been in a situation where your brain was telling you one thing and your heart was telling you another? Which did you listen to? Was that the right decision? When is it appropriate to be guided by facts, and when should we trust our instincts and intuition?
MIKE DELLOSSO is the author of eight novels of suspense, an adjunct professor of creative writing and popular conference teacher, a husband, and a father. When he’s not lost in a story or working or spending time with his family, he enjoys reading and dabbling in pencil sketching. Mike has a master’s degree in theology and serves with his wife in their local church. He is also a colon cancer survivor and health care worker. Born in Baltimore, Mike now resides in southern Pennsylvania with his wife and four daughters. Besides Centralia, his other books are The Hunted, Scream, Darlington Woods, Darkness Follows, Frantic, Fearless, and the novella Rearview.
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