#35 Sanctuary

Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. He can hear his father’s voice trembling in his mind. The stairs leading to the baptistery are dark. He hears footsteps behind him, knows who it is and what he'll do so he starts to shudder. His small shoulders shrug with guilt.

If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, they must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. He tries to imagine other things but the Miller boy’s hand are in his shirt and moving down. Does he like the way it feels?

The boy wants to call for his father, but the preacher is alone again with Mrs. Miller. And when the rectory door is closed he is not to be a bother. And so the two boys continue up the sanctuary steps.