Sasha lowered herself onto the couch, eyes moving from Samuel to the Scriptures and back again.

When he finished, the television remained dark.

The room was no less serious.

But it was no longer ruled by the screen.

Sasha nodded slowly. “I don’t want to be fooled by something just because it sounds hopeful.”

Samuel sat beside her. “Neither do I.”

Outside, a car passed in the street. Somewhere farther away, a dog barked. The world kept moving.

Inside, the family prayed together.