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who’s in Children’s Hospital with a brain tumor, is facing surgery tomorrow morning—a surgery that’s both delicate and dangerous. And while the other team members gathered at Petco Park, Ellings risked a fine by making a surprise visit to Joey and promising to hit one out of the park—just for him. What a heartwarming bit of news. My hat’s off to you, Dave.”
    Craig looked across the console at Jesse. “How’d you know about that?”
    The man shrugged. “I guess you could say that I’ve got a … gift.”
    Craig believed people sometimes had gifts, but he wasn’t so sure about this particular guy. If Jesse had been blessed with something special, it hadn’t appeared to have taken him very far.
    “There’s an all-night diner on Bedford Parkway,” Jesse said. “Would you mind dropping me off there?”
    As much as Craig wanted to drive right to the Delacourts’house, he figured he owed Jesse the ride he’d requested. He’d probably still be walking if the man hadn’t tinkered with the engine. “I’ll need directions.”
    “No problem. Just turn left on Applewood. It’s a couple of blocks beyond Mulberry Park.”
    Craig followed his instructions. As they drove past Parkside Community Church, he gave the old-style clapboard structure a once-over, since that’s where he’d be working. It was also where he’d be meeting the senior pastor and the board of elders tomorrow morning.
    But it was the park across the street that drew his attention, especially the empty ball field, with the lights still illuminating it. The green and black scoreboard indicated that the home team had won five to two.
    A couple of young men in matching red T-shirts walked away from the dugout toward a white pickup. One carried a black canvas duffle bag—filled with baseball gear, no doubt.
    Seconds later, the lights faded to black, and Craig returned his attention to the road.
    “There it is.” Jesse pointed to a small restaurant on the right side of the street.
    Craig stopped in front, double-parking, and glanced at the restaurant window that was trimmed with white café-style curtains. Bold cursive paint on the glass read: Debbie’s Diner.
    “Thanks a lot,” Jesse said, as he climbed out of the car and shut the door.
    Craig was just about to pull away when he saw Jesse reach into his pocket and begin counting coins. It was clear to see that the man was down on his luck and probably had been for awhile.
    Using the control panel on the side of the door, Craig lowered the passenger window. “Hey, wait a minute.” Then he reached for his wallet and pulled out one of the few twenties he had to last him until he received his first paycheck, and handed it to Jesse. “Let me buy you dinner tonight.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Jesse took the cash. “Before you go, do you mind if I give you a piece of advice?”
    “What’s that?”
    “Things aren’t always what they seem around here, Pastor. You’ll need to look beyond the obvious and dig deep within yourself if you want to make a difference in this town.”
    At one time, when a pro ball career was no longer possible and Craig had resigned himself to the ministry, he had hoped to make a difference in the world, but here he was—stuck in Fairbrook.
    Still, for a moment, he clung to what the homeless man had said. Then he let the words fade into the night air.
    A guy like Jesse couldn’t possibly have made all the right choices himself. If he had, he wouldn’t be lacking a car, a job, and enough money to buy his next meal.
    “Take a left at the intersection,” Jesse added. “And if you follow that road down a mile, you’ll be back on track.”
    Craig did as the man instructed and, just before eleven o’clock and nearly six hours late, he arrived at Tuscany Hills, the gated community in which the Delacourts lived.
    After providing an ID to the guard, Craig was allowed inside and followed the winding road to 2316, a newer two-story house with a