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there at all, but the lack of work in England, the storm that blew the ship hundreds of miles off course, and many other unbelievable coincidences had all combined, and here he was. Could it possibly be that God did let Mary send him another son? But what would Eli do if he didn’t marry Anya? Would he leave? Jim wondered if he, himself, could go on living if Eli left. He thought a long time about how he had blamed God for the loss of Mary and Jimmy, but the incredible timing of Eli’s arrival had to be more than just chance. He looked up into the heavens at the stars. Had God hung him a star, too; him, an old man, who had turned his back on God? Could there still be a star out there to guide him? Maybe it shone less brightly than the others, but was it still there? Perhaps the star shone brighter when more heed was paid to it. Could God even be looking out for an old man like him? Jim looked into the sky and did something he hadn’t done since he had cursed God after Mary and Jimmy died. He prayed. As he looked at the heavens, his voice trembled. “Dear God. I know I haven’t talked to you since you decided to take my sweet Mary and my little Jimmy. I suppose I blamed you for what happened. You’ve brought Eli to me, and I thank you. He has been like a son to me. I don’t know if you hear the prayers of an old man like me. I know I ain’t worthy to ask, but, if you do hear the prayers of this old man, please help Anya to love Eli, so he can stay here. The church needs him, the town needs him...” Jim paused. He looked down, as if ashamed to raise his eyes 62