CHAPTER 10
Three days sped by too quickly. Jesse could not have imagined a more romantic setting to spend their honeymoon than the little cabin in the woods. She and Gabriel splashed under a waterfall, swam in a pristine rock basin pool and watched spectacular sunsets from a hammock. Gabriel was gentle and attentive and she would never forget the soft caresses, tender kisses and whispered endearments. Sighing, she looked around the cabin. Maybe one day they would return.
She took a seat in the UTV before reaching over to touch his arm. Smiling his understanding, his hand covered hers. “Ready to go?”
Nodding, she looked around one last time before they started home.
The Sun was setting when they pulled into the back yard. Still several feet from the shed, the UTV stopped abruptly. “Stay here,” Gabriel said before turning off the vehicle and racing across the lawn toward the door. He was up the steps and inside the house before she realized there were no lights on. Jumping from the UTV, she hurried across the yard. Before she could reach the back porch, Gabriel met her at the door. “Everyone is okay,” he said. “The electricity’s off.”
Jesse crossed the kitchen to give her grandmother a hug. “It’s dark in here, Grammy.
Before her grandmother could respond, the Pastor and Olivia came through the door from the living room. The Pastor clapped Gabriel on the shoulder. “Glad you made it back safe.”
“Thanks,” Gabriel said, looking around the dimly lit room. “What happened to the electricity?”
On his way to the kitchen table, the Pastor said, “Something’s wrong with the power lines. Electricians from the shelter are working on them now.” Joining the others at the table, Jesse stayed quiet. The heaviness she sensed in the room was deepened by the lamp’s red glow illuminating sad faces. She looked at Gabriel, noting his tense expression. They both knew there was more behind the somber mood than a temporary loss of electricity. The strained silence began to tell its own story before anyone spoke. Something terrible had happened.
Unwilling to wait any longer Gabriel said, “What’s wrong?”
The Pastor cleared his throat without looking up. “The last newscast we saw before the power went off reported David Patterson’s murder.”
The stunned look was still on Gabriel’s face when he rose stiffly from the chair to walk out of the room. Jesse turned to the Pastor. “Who’s David Patterson?”
“The reporter who did the piece on the shelter. His body was found in an alley this morning, murdered.”
“David and Gabriel were friends,” her grandmother said. “He did the interview with Jonas as a favor to Gabriel.”
Numbly rising from her chair, Jesse went to the front porch where she knew Gabriel would be. He was leaning forward with his hands on the porch rail. By his side, she stared out at the thick darkness shrouding the moon and stars in its gloom. What could she possibly say to comfort him? As a therapist, she should have known what to say but her mind was blank. Then she remembered the simple words that had once told her someone cared when she had been heartbroken. She touched his arm. “I’m so sorry, Gabriel.”
He didn’t speak or make a sound but she sensed his sadness, grief that was almost palpable. In his arms, silent tears slipped down her face. Nothing would bring his friend back. Not knowing what else to do, she held onto him, quietly sharing in his loss.
The next morning Jesse woke up to an empty pillow at her side. She ran her hand lovingly over the imprint where Gabriel’s head had lain. Had he slept at all? During the night, she had awakened to see him staring out the window at the night sky. Her offer to talk had been politely declined and she hadn’t pressed him.
Just inside the kitchen door, Jesse stopped. Gabriel and Matthew Sanders were standing over a map splayed out on the kitchen table. Dressed in camouflage, Matthew looked more intimidating than she remembered. With his finger still on the map, Matthew’s dark eyes snapped up to see Jesse watching them.
“I’m—I’m sorry,” she stammered, taking a step back.
Gabriel called to her before turning to Matthew to suggest they take a break.
Watching Matthew roll up the map and tuck it under his arm, Jesse approached hesitantly. “Sorry, Matthew, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
His expression softened into a smile. “No problem. We need a breather anyway,” he said before excusing himself and leaving out the back door.
Gabriel offered her coffee before turning to refill his own cup. “The power lines should be repaired today. We can’t supply power to all areas of the house with generators but we have the important things covered. The coffee pot and Florence’s television rank high on the list of priorities.”
Leaning with her back against the counter, Jesse studied his face. “I thought I’d barged into the war room at the Pentagon,” she said, hoping to lighten the mood. When he didn’t respond, she asked, “What are you and Matthew meeting about?”
He didn’t make eye contact when he said, “We’re looking over property lines—add observations posts, tighten security.”
Taking a drink of coffee, she watched him over the rim of her cup. He seemed tense. To keep the conversation going, she asked the first question that popped into her head. “Security? Do the men carry weapons?”
Someone else might not have picked up on the hint of sarcasm in his voice when he answered. “A security team without weapons would be useless.”
She set her cup on the counter. “What is it, Gabriel? What’s wrong?”
With arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on something across the room. Seconds ticked by before he spoke. “The power lines to the house were cut. The security team suggested surveillance posts, maybe reassess the way intruders are dealt with.
“Intruders? How are they dealt with now?”
“Right now, the men follow protocol. Verbal warning and then a warning shot. No weapons are to be discharged for effect unless fired upon.”
She looked at him, questioning. “Why would you change that?”
His voice was firm. “Trespassers may intend to do more than vandalize. We should assume intruders are dangerous, take away their advantage of first strike.”
Her face went slack with surprise. “Innocent people could be killed, Gabriel.”
His voice was calm, almost chilling. “Innocent people have already been killed, Jesse. And more may be killed if I don’t honor my responsibility to keep people under my protection safe.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “The Bible says not to kill.”
His expression matched his dispassionate tone. “Thou shalt not kill speaks of murder done in anger with premeditation and malice. The book of Psalms says to rescue the weak and the needy, deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
“Gabriel,” she said, stepping closer, “I know you’re upset over David, but you’re a man of God, a man who does the will of God. Is what you’re doing God’s will?”
He held her gaze without answering before turning away to look out the window over the sink. The silence stretched out before his head tipped back with a sigh. “Maybe you’re right,” he said, turning to look at her. “I’ll talk to Matthew.”
She stepped into his embrace. “I know you’ll do the right thing.” Feeling his body go rigid, she looked up to see him staring over her head with a look of alarm.
“Gabriel, what is it?”
Before she could turn around, he was across the room steadying her grandmother who looked ready to fall to the floor. “Florence, are you okay?” Gabriel asked, helping her into a chair.
Seeing the pallor of her grandmother’s face, Jesse’s stomach lifted into her throat. “Grammy,” she called, rushing across the room to kneel by her grandmother’s chair, “what’s wrong?”.
“Florence, are you ill?” Gabriel asked, taking her hand. When she didn’t respond but continued to stare ahead with a dazed look, he took out his cell phone. “I’ll call for Dr. Haynes.”
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No doctor.”
Jesse looked up to see Olivia walk into the room with a frozen expression. As if in a trance, she turned around and walked back out the door without saying a word. Rising fear could be heard in Jesse’s voice. “Gabriel, something’s wrong. Something’s happening.”
“The news,” her grandmother said, trying to get to her feet. Her face was beginning to regain some color as Gabriel helped her from the chair.
Stopping just inside the living room door, Jesse’s eyes fixed on the television. The reporter stressed that what you are seeing is not a hoax. Amazed, speechless, Jesse stared at the large metallic disc filling the television screen.
The newscaster couldn’t keep the tremor from his voice. “The unidentified flying object was discovered hovering over Washington D.C. approximately twenty minutes ago. According to reports coming out of Washington, the UFO managed to enter the nation’s airspace undetected, leaving top military experts baffled. The North American Aerospace Defense Command and top military strategists are investigating the arrival of the spacecraft, presumed to be an alien spacecraft, as we speak.”
The words stuck in Jesse’s mind, alien spacecraft. Do they mean spacecraft from another planet, another world? She looked around the crowded living room to see stunned expressions mirroring her own. The feel of Gabriel’s arm around her waist barely registered. “It’ll be okay, Jesse. Come over here and sit down.”
She looked at him, bewildered, as he led her to the sofa. “Did he say alien?”
Forty minutes later, an announcement was made that the President of the United States was preparing to address the nation. Within minutes, the President approached the podium at a brisk stride to confirm reports that an alien spacecraft had entered US airspace undetected. His natural poise served him well as he delivered news that undoubtedly sent shock waves around the world. Reading from a teleprompter, the President said, “Minutes before the spacecraft appeared, NORAD received the message that visitors from another galaxy come in peace. In response to the communication, the nation’s armed forces were directed to stand down while remaining on high alert.”
Jesse stared at the President as he encouraged people to stay calm. Was he kidding? She imagined the whole world teetering on the brink of mass hysteria. Ending the press conference, the President suggested this might be an extraordinary opportunity for humanity to gain knowledge and a better understanding of our universe. Quickly thanking the press, the President turned to leave without giving anyone a chance to ask questions.
The screen flashed back to a reporter with the airborne spacecraft visible in a small, inset frame in the upper right corner. The panel of experts quickly launched into speculation on everything from the nature of the arriving life forms to the spacecraft’s capabilities.
“Interesting,” the Pastor said, just loud enough to be heard. Jesse turned to look at him, waiting to hear what he would say. Given her own state of apprehension, she was surprised to see the Pastor looking so calm. He sat quietly, reflectively, a few moments before saying, “I think the President is right. We shouldn’t panic.”
With her attention off the television, Jesse looked around at the people in the living room. Earlier, she had been too stunned to notice they had visitors from the shelter. The news must have interrupted a meeting. When the group stood to leave, Janice, a woman Jesse previously met at the cookout, said the electricity should be back on within the hour. “Thanks for letting us watch the news,” she said before turning to Jesse. “Are you and Olivia coming for a visit soon?”
Not completely over her shock, Jesse stared at the woman blankly a few seconds before answering. “Yes, we—we hope to. Gabriel and I just got back last night,” she said, getting to her feet to follow Janice to the front porch. The four men had already started down the drive toward the road when Janice picked up her utility belt from one of the rocking chairs. The belt secured around her waist with a snap before she looked back at Jesse to say, “I guess you’re pretty shook up over the news.”
“Yes,” Jesse admitted. “I imagine everyone is.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Janice said, nodding. “You know, I was in the city when things really started to get bad. After some of the things I’ve seen over the last year, I don’t think anything could shock me anymore. I’m just thankful that I was able to get Timmy to a safe place.”
Watching Janice’s face, Jesse wondered what had happened to the woman. What had she seen? She seemed detached, emotionless. Was she suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder? She was about to ask if she wanted to talk when the Pastor stepped out the front door.
“Janice, if you will, let everyone know we’ll be at the worship center tomorrow morning. I have a theory on the UFO I’d like to share.”
“Sure thing, Pastor,” Janice said as she started down the steps.
Jesse thought about following but changed her mind. She would wait and talk to Janice in private at the shelter. “Bye, Janice,” she called, watching the woman disappear down the drive.
In the kitchen, the Pastor opened his Bible before looking around the table at those silently waiting to hear his theory on the UFO.
Jesse followed his gaze, studying the circle of faces. True to her nature, Olivia’s face reflected her emotions. Her eyes flitted around the table nervously before going back to her husband. By her frown and distant stare, Jesse knew her grandmother was engrossed in her own thoughts while Emma fidgeted and shifted uneasily in her chair. Gabriel would appear calm to the casual observer but the flicking muscle in his jaw told Jesse he was tense.
Just as the Pastor leaned forward to speak, the back door swung open and Charles and Victoria Swinney burst into the room. Mr. Swinney’s words began to tumble out before he came to a complete stop. “We—they,” he sputtered, hands beginning to flail. “People are panicking. They think the aliens have come to wage war against humans and destroy the planet.” By his expression, Jesse wondered if he wasn’t the one who started the rumor.
Victoria’s bulging eyes fixed on the Pastor. “They said you know why they’ve come.”
Moving around the table, Gabriel pulled out a chair for Victoria. “We were just about to discuss the matter. Sit down and join us.”
Mr. Swinney swung around to face Gabriel. “Sit—sit down? You expect us to just sit here while—”
Mr. Swinney’s angry words cut off sharply when he saw the expression on Gabriel’s face. One eyebrow arched before Gabriel said quietly, slowly, “Sit down, Charles. This is no time to lose our heads.” Seeing Mr. Swinney’s startled look, Gabriel’s tone softened. “Let’s just sit down and discuss this calmly.”
Swallowing, Mr. Swinney visibly collected himself before taking a seat next to his wife.
The Pastor started again. “Okay, I’ll try to explain why I’m not as shocked by the UFO as some might be. Over the years, we’ve been conditioned to accept the possibility of extraterrestrial life through movies, documentaries and reports about alien encounters and unexplained UFO sightings. I think Satan is behind all of this—a scheme to send fallen angels back to Earth disguised as aliens. The Bible talks about fallen angels coming to Earth, living with women and having giant children, called Nephilim, during the days of Noah.”
Jesse stared at the Pastor before realizing her mouth had fallen open. But Jesse wasn’t the only one having a problem digesting what she was hearing. Emma looked doubtful as she eyed the Pastor. “Let me get this straight. You’re sayin’ that in Noah’s day, Angels was here on Earth marrying human women and having giant babies? And you think some angels pretending to be aliens may be coming back?”
“That’s what I’m saying, Emma. More importantly, that’s what the Bible says.” The Pastor started turning pages. “That’s in Genesis, chapter six, and I believe, verse four,” he said, glancing at Olivia.
“Yes, four,” Olivia said.
The Pastor smiled at his wife. “Olivia has an excellent memory for scripture.” Marking his place with a forefinger, he looked around the table. “Okay, listen to this,” he said before starting to read from the book of Genesis. “There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” He sat back in his chair. “That seems pretty clear to me. The sons of God, angels, and the daughters of men, human women, had children. Their children, giants, were called Nephilim.”
Jesse looked over to see her grandmother nodding. “I think so, too, Jonas. I’ve always thought the sons of God talked about in Genesis were fallen angels.”
“We’re not the only ones to think that, Florence,” the Pastor said. “Early Church fathers thought so, too.”
Jesse’s mind reeled with what she was hearing. Did Gabriel believe this? She expected to see disbelief, or at the very least, surprise, but he was nodding in agreement.
The Pastor flipped through pages of the Bible as he talked. “Remember, Noah was saved from the flood for two reasons. He walked with God and he was perfect in his generation. Think about that. Perfect? No man, except Jesus, has ever been morally and spiritually perfect. Noah had his faults. The flood was sent to wipe out a wicked human race. But humans weren’t just wicked, I think their DNA was polluted. And since angels can’t die, those that sinned by coming to Earth to take human wives were punished by being chained in darkness.”
“That’s right,” Gabriel said. “The book of Jude says that angels who didn’t stay in their own place, in their proper dwelling, were bound in eternal chains until judgment day.”
The Pastor’s face was animated. “And notice later on, in Moses’ time, there were giants in the land of Canaan, the land that God promised to Abraham, the lineage Jesus would come through.”
“Satan knew,” Gabriel said. “He knew that Jesus would come through Abraham, through Israel, and that Israel was promised the land of Canaan. While Israel was in bondage in Egypt, Satan had hundreds of years to plant the offspring of fallen angels in the land of Canaan before Israel would ever show up.”
“Exactly,” the Pastor said. “Satan hoped a race of giants would wipe out Israel, killing off the line Jesus would come through. But even if that didn’t happen, he thought Israel would intermingle with demonic offspring and pollute the bloodline. I think that’s why God ordered Israel to wipe out all the people in the land. They were evil and genetically polluted.”
Mr. Swinney’s head began to move slowly from side to side. “No…no…no, I don’t think so. There are a few problems with your theory, pastor. Not all Bible scholars believe the sons of God were fallen angels. I happen to agree with those who say the sons of God were godly men, sons of Seth. But then Seth’s sons married Cain’s wicked daughters and that’s how they were corrupted.”
“Some scholars do hold that view, but I disagree,” the Pastor said. “The book of Genesis tells us that all flesh had become corrupted. Surely, every godly Sethite man didn’t marry a wicked woman. That doesn’t make sense. And the Bible makes a clear distinction between the nonhuman sons of God and human daughters of men. That’s what it says and that’s what I believe.”
Olivia touched her husband’s hand. “I think you’re right, Jonas.”
“Thank you, Olivia,” the Pastor said, his expression softening. “I guess you would also agree that if the passage meant the sons of God were Sethite men, God would have simply said so.”
“Yes,” Olivia said, “I think so.”
“And there’s the law of procreation to consider,” Gabriel said. “The Bible says everything produces after its own kind. Human parents wouldn’t produce monstrosities, giants with supernatural strength.”
“Good point,” the Pastor said, sitting up straighter. He turned to Mr. Swinney. “Look, Charles, I know you share the opinion of some respected scholars, but it just doesn’t make sense.”
Mr. Swinney stared at the table before his head came up. “Wait, Pastor. You forgot about one thing. Angels don’t marry. Jesus said so.”
“That’s right,” the Pastor said. “In the book of Matthew, Jesus does say that angels are not given in marriage. But that doesn’t mean rebellious fallen angels would ask permission. They wouldn’t, and I don’t think they did.”
“That makes sense, if you think about it,” Gabriel said. “And remember, angels are always described in the Bible as male. They performed human functions—ate food, carried swords. Angels even led Lot and his family out of the city by their hands.”
Jesse felt like a fifth grader in a graduate class. She had followed the conversation enough to know the Pastor seemed to be making a strong argument, but she wasn’t sure. She looked from her grandmother to Gabriel. Apparently, they agreed with the Pastor. If angels came to Earth in the past, they could come to Earth again, she reasoned. Maybe the Pastor was right. Maybe bad angels were coming back to Earth.
Emma pulled her hands down the sides of her face, looking confused. “If fallen angels are chained up, how are they flying over the capital right now?”
The Pastor smiled. “I know, Emma. It can be a hard to follow. But remember, there are a multitude of angels and one third followed Lucifer when he rebelled. Not all fallen angels came to Earth. There are still plenty roaming free and capable of creating mischief.” Closing his Bible, he looked around the table, waiting for any other comments before turning to Mr. Swinney. “You’ve made some good points, Charles. Anything else?”
Mr. Swinney sat back to stroke his chin. “No. You’ve definitely given me some things to think about.”
The Pastor looked across the table. “Florence, what do you think?”
“I think Satan would trick the whole world, even God’s elect, if it were possible.”
“We know that’s true,” the Pastor said. “What do you say, Gabriel?”
“I’d say you’re right, Jonas. Increased interest in aliens and UFOs has certainly set the stage for what’s happening now. According to the President, NORAD received a message saying visitors are coming from another galaxy. I don’t believe that. I don’t believe the visitors are coming from another galaxy at all. I believe they’re coming from a different dimension.”
The Pastor nodded. “I think you’re right about that.” He scanned faces around the table before asking, “Anyone else?”
“You know,” Jesse said, shifting uneasily in her chair, “I’m new to all of this. I just want to make sure I understand. It sounds like you’re saying that an angel, Lucifer, Satan, whatever his name is, has spent thousands of years trying to sabotage God’s plans and now he’s sending fallen angels, pretending to be aliens, back to trick the world, to turn people against God, to fight against God.” She looked at the Pastor. “Is that right?”
He took a few seconds to think through what she’d said before answering. “Yes. That’s what I think could be happening.”
“Then I guess my question is, why?” By his expression, Jesse knew the Pastor didn’t know what she was asking, so she said, “why does Satan put all this effort into scheming. Why does he hate God? Why does he hate humans?”
“Okay, I understand what you’re asking,” the Pastor said. “All we know is what the Bible tells us. Lucifer was an anointed angel, beautiful and wise. The Bible says he became proud and wanted to be like God. When he rebelled, one third of the angels followed. That’s when Lucifer became known as Satan, the adversary.”
“You know, Jonas,” Gabriel said. “The Bible says pride was behind Lucifer’s rebellion, but there are some traditions that say he became jealous when God made humans in His own image and gave Adam dominion over the Earth. Now, we don’t know that for sure because it’s folklore, but it’s an interesting concept.”
The Pastor nodded. “That is interesting. Just imagine how Lucifer might have reacted when told angels, who were created first, would minister to humans. And then I think about that scene in the book of Revelation where John describes an angel asking who is worthy to take the scroll. Now, I haven’t studied that enough to decide if I agree or disagree, but some believe the scroll is the title deed to the Earth.”
Gabriel got to his feet and started around the table. “We’ve all heard that pride comes before destruction.” Seeing Mr. Swinney’s troubled expression, he said, “You okay, Charles?”
Mr. Swinney stared at the table. “I don’t know. I have to wonder if I don’t sometimes ignore the principle of simplicity and search for explanations more readily assimilated into a human worldview. Sometimes I wonder if my higher intellect hinders my ability to comprehend God’s Word.” Looking at Gabriel, he asked, “Does that make sense?”
No one, except Jesse, would have suspected that Gabriel was amused by Charles’ comment. “That does make sense, Charles. I guess you’re saying if God could be dissected and rationalized by the human mind, even by those with a superior intellect like yourself, then He wouldn’t be God.”
Mr. Swinney nodded. “I guess you do understand.”
Gabriel started for the kitchen. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”
Following Gabriel to the sink, Jesse touched his arm. “I’ll do that,” she said, taking the carafe.
After everyone except the Pastor, Gabriel and Jesse had left the room, Mr. Swinney approached Gabriel. “I think any intelligent, rational person might question the implausible.”
Gabriel nodded his agreement. “You’re right, Charles. I suppose we all question things we don’t understand.” Sensing Mr. Swinney’s need to be appreciated, Gabriel said, “I think you must be like the noble Berean Jew. Remember what Paul said about the Bereans? He said they were more noble than the Thessalonians because they questioned what Paul said and studied to find out the truth. Searching for answers is a noble pursuit.”
Mr. Swinney’s face brightened. “I think you may be right about that. I’d say I’m very much like the Berean Jew.”
Amused by Mr. Swinney’s reaction, Jesse turned to hide a smile. Gabriel had known just what to say to lift the man’s spirits.
Only Gabriel and the Pastor were in the kitchen when the coffee finished brewing. Hearing Gabriel ask the Pastor how he had linked the spacecraft to fallen angels, Jesse stopped to listen.
“I thought it was a coincidence at the time, but now I wonder,” the Pastor said. “I was channel surfing some months ago and happened across a debate about the identity of sons of God. One verse stuck in my head. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man. I started thinking, what was it like in the days of Noah. Well, in Noah’s day, the people were wicked and fallen angels were intermingling with humans. As soon as I saw the spaceship, I felt within my spirit that history is about to repeat itself. I see the parallel between Noah’s day just before destruction and today’s world.”
Leaning back in his chair, Gabriel said, “Fallen angels, Nephilim—I wonder if that isn’t where a lot of mythology about half-gods and demigods taught in schools today come from.”
The Pastor shook his head. “Isn’t that a tragedy. Teaching biblical principles our nation was founded on is forbidden while the study of other religions, polytheism and mythology in the classroom is encouraged.”
Jesse set a cup of coffee in front of the Pastor and Gabriel before taking a seat. The Pastor smiled his thanks before looking back at Gabriel. “Satan has been incredibly devious and methodical in his work behind the scenes. If we step back to look at the whole picture, we can see world events coming together in fulfillment of prophecy just like scripture says it will.”
Gabriel stared across the room, thinking about the future. “I can’t imagine what people will face during the Tribulation. The Bible says the hearts of men will fail for fear as they look at things coming on the Earth.”
“It is hard to imagine,” the Pastor said. “In the stillness of the night, I can hear creation groaning with birth pains as the Earth prepares for delivery.” Sighing, he got up from the table and picked up his coffee to leave. He paused to put a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “These things must come, Gabriel, but God will continue to protect your heart with His own hand.”
Jesse thought about the dire prediction. Hearts of men failing for fear. What could possibly be that horrible? Not wanting Gabriel to read her expression, she stared into her coffee. Gabriel’s fingers moved under her chin to lift her face. “Are you afraid, Jesse?”
“No,” she said, pulling her face away. “I read that God does not give us a spirit of fear.”
Watching her, his expression softened. “Everyone is afraid sometimes, Jesse. Occasional fear is normal. But I think you worry more about others, about Florence, about me. Just remember, God saved you and has shielded me all these years. Do you think God will abandon us now?”
Her head snapped up to look at him. “Of course not. God says that He will never leave or forsake us. God isn’t a liar.”
Smiling, he rose to his feet. “That’s right. Now enough of this doom and gloom. Let’s go see if the aliens plan to destroy the Earth.”
“Seriously?” she said, getting up from her chair. “You just had to make a joke about it.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled with suppressed laughter.