Introduction

The last thing Peter wants is another prophetic dream, especially about President Lawler’s re-election. As more dreams of future events keep coming true, the reluctant prophet finds himself thrust back into the spotlight. Only this time, he is backed up by his friend and mentor, Jesse, who proclaims his own controversial prophecies.

President Lawler, and his legions of supporters, attempt to stamp out any dissent and silence the prophets. Once again, Peter finds himself on the run. Aided by old friends and new allies, Peter and Jesse continue to call out hypocrisy and abuses of power. Battle lines are drawn and sides must be chosen in an epic struggle for the soul of the country.

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Excerpt

Prologue

A patriotic anthem begins to play as a man in a business suit walks out on stage waving a Bible in one hand and a small flag-on-a-stick in the other. Lowering his totems, he tilts his chin high, posing for his moment with destiny.

The man basking in the adulation is Richard Lawler, and he has just been reelected to the highest office in the land. He steps forward to a podium, the Bible and the flag hanging off either side of him like a couple of six-shooters.

As the President launches into his victory speech, someone in the unseen audience dares to say something (indecipherable). Whatever is said annoys him. A minor irritation that gets under his thin skin, just enough to clip his stride.

The president is just regathering his head of steam when the heckler shouts out again. As before, I can’t make out the words, but Lawler can hear them—and seems to smell them. Sniffing the air, he makes a sour expression, as if repulsed by an unseen stench.

Hunching over, the sullen president now delivers his speech in sharper, darker tones. The bright stage lights flicker and then dim. The once jaunty, upbeat song is slowed and stripped down to a tinkling tune on a warped toy piano.

Somewhere out in the darkness, the accusing voice breaks through the paper-thin veneer of applause and cheers. Whatever is said is unclear to me, but it’s greeted by a stony silence, then a jeer, and a boo or two.

The president looks furious as the stage begins to shake. The hand holding the flag balls into a fist; its little attached stick snaps. The pedestal topples over in front of him. Lawler steps forward, the Bible and flag falling to the floor.

Shielding his eyes with his hands, he scans the crowd, looking for whoever interrupted him, thrice. The President points high into the nosebleed seats.

He is pointing directly at me.

Waking up, Peter catches his breath, sweaty and a little shaky. Already awake, Gracie is looking up at him with a concerned expression.

“I’m okay,” he tries to assure his black Lab. “Go back to sleep.”

Unconvinced, Gracie gets up and walks over to the bed.

After petting her head, Peter quickly jots down the first prophetic dream he’s had in over three years. In his mid-forties now, he didn’t think he’d ever have another one, and that would have been just fine with him.

Prophecy is a gift, and a curse, that Peter had been both blessed and afflicted with for over fifteen years. His prophecies come in the form of dreams that sear into him, and yet, he still writes them down while the details are fresh.

This new dream was a bit murky, and the sound was wonky, but he’s pretty sure it’s a harbinger of ominous things to come. He also has a bad feeling he’s going to be in the middle of it, which is the last place he wants to be.

“It’s going to be okay,” he tries to reassure his dog.

Gracie nuzzles closer; she knows better.



CHAPTER 1

NO?

“There are some basic rules for being a prophet, or prophetess,” Peter tells the woman sitting beside him on his back deck, a gas firepit between them doing nothing to cut the late autumn chill. “The first rule is you have to announce your prophecies. Put them out there to whoever will listen.”

The woman, Terry, nods thoughtfully. “That makes sense.” The high school English teacher comes over most Saturday nights for dinner and a glass or two of wine. While Peter’s culinary skills leave something to be desired, he makes an effort. “I mean, what would be the point if you didn’t announce it?”

“Right,” Peter says. “Unfortunately, it’s almost always bad news that someone doesn’t want to hear. People are going to be upset.”

“Sounds like grading papers,” the divorced teacher says, her hands cradling her nearly empty glass. “I don’t know, I think you inspire people too.”

“Thanks,” Peter says, hoping that’s true.

Reaching over the ineffectual flames, he pours her more wine, then more for himself. They both settle in to watch the sun set behind the trees, the red glow through the filagree of limbs always reminding him of stained glass. After his last prophetic season, he’d resettled back in Tennessee because, at the end of the day, it was home.

“I’ve announced every dream I ever had,” he says reflectively. “And every dream came true . . . except the last one.”

“The riot at the Capitol,” Terry says, because the entire country knew about Peter’s last dream. “You prophesied that President Lawler would incite a riot to try and stay in office after he’d lost the election.”

“And it didn’t happen,” Peter says so she doesn’t have to.

“That’s because people listened to you,” she insists.

Peter shrugs his acquiescence. It was hard to believe, but three years ago, he was one of the most famous people in the country. “As far as results go,” he says, “that was my most successful prophecy.”

“It actually changed history,” Terry says.

“I don’t know,” Peter says. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Why?”

“Because, if people saw a riot taking place at the Capitol, there’s no way they’d ever vote for him again,” Peter says. “Right?”

“I don’t know,” Terry replies, less sure. “For some reason, a lot of people no longer seem to care what he says and does anymore.”

“Well, he’s running,” Peter declares. “And if I say, ‘I had a dream he’s going to win,’ I’m afraid it might help him—encourage his supporters or something.”

“Maybe it would help him, maybe it wouldn’t,” Terry concludes after a sip. “I can certainly see where you wouldn’t want all that craziness in your life.”

“It’s not that,” Peter says automatically . . . . Although coming out with a new prophecy would turn his quiet, little life upside down. His mom has accused him of being a recluse; he just preferred the company of Gracie, family, and a close friend or two. “I’m just not sure I’m the right man for this job.”

That night, after Terry has gone home, and the dishes have been washed, and Gracie has been out one last time, Peter retires to his bedroom. Gracie is already fast asleep on her own bed. Getting down on his knees at the foot of his bed, he gets a sneak preview of coming attractions as an old man—achy, tired, and grouchy.

Being single can be lonely, but he likes the freedom. Is it so wrong that he likes his life out in the woods, where no one demands too much from him? Gracie expects her food—and a cut of his. Terry looks forward to dinner on Saturday night, although he’s pretty sure she would survive without him. His mom seems to enjoy his visits most Sunday afternoons, watching the Titans together during the season.

He takes a breath and prays.

“I’m not sure why you picked me in the first place . . . . I’ve tried to do my best. And it’s been a great run . . . . Two great runs. But I think it’s time for someone else to step up and speak out.” He shakes his head. “Surely, out of the billions of people, you know someone else who can deliver this message?”

No answer is immediately forthcoming.

“I’m sorry,” Peter pleads, the words almost catching in his throat. “Can I just say—‘no’?”

The only response is a dog’s soft snore. Getting up with a groan, he walks on stiff legs over to his bed and slides under the sheets. Besides, I’m not getting any younger, he thinks as he follows the sounds of Gracie’s slumber . . . view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

1. Despite his flaws, do you think Peter was a faithful prophet? What about Jessie?

2. Do you think what Peter dreamed would be things God would be concerned about?

3. What do you base your ethics or morals on – religion, parents, peers, society, personal experiences?

4. Have you ever changed a long-held belief on a particular issue? What made you change?

5. Do your personal ethics inform your beliefs about public policy?

6. Are the leaders we choose a reflection of who we are as a people?

7. What, if any, are our individual responsibilities to society at large.

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