The Truth Is the Light Read Online Free PDF

Ruth’s words to her mother-in-law, Naomi.
    â€œYou know what would really be great? If we all went to church together this Sunday . . . as a family. Then afterward, we could come here for dinner. We might even consider visiting Clarence’s new church. You know, show our solidarity as a family unit.”
    â€œOkay, Mama. It’s time for me to go now. Because you know that’s not going to fly. There’s no way I can tell Daddy I won’t be at church Sunday because I’m going to the church that stole his other son away from him. No way.”
    â€œKnowledge, don’t even play saying things like that.” Zenobia’s tone was serious. “Nobody has stolen anyone from anywhere. You sounded just like your father then.”
    â€œWell, Mama, I know you don’t want to hear this. But Daddy isn’t always wrong.” Knowledge headed toward the door. “I do know from comments Daddy has made, just recently, that he doesn’t care much for Pastor Landris, not much at all. I’ll call you later tonight and let you know for sure whether we’re coming to dinner Sunday. But if we don’t, I’ll definitely be there for my brother Sunday night.”
    Knowledge opened the door and left as Zenobia stood there unconsciously trimming and tidying up a few of her hangnails with her teeth.

Chapter 4

    Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
    â€”Ecclesiastes 10:20

    â€œH ey there, Miss Countess,” Gramps said. “Where you headed so bright and early this morning?”
    â€œMorning, Ranny,” Countess Gates said to the ninety-nine-year-old, Tootsie Pop–looking bald-headed man most folks, with the exception of her, generally called Gramps. “I was on my way out to the garden for a morning walk.”
    â€œWould you mind having some company?”
    â€œNo,” she said with a smile. “You’re welcome to come if you like.”
    Gramps walked alongside Countess. She looked up and her eyes followed a red robin that flew right past them as soon as they reached the gazebo. She smiled at Gramps. “For an old man, you sure do get around well. You do better than some of the people who work here.”
    He grinned. “Who you calling old? You know age ain’t nothing but a number and a state of mind. That’s all it is. A person can be twenty and think and move like they’re fifty. I’ve seen them; see them now. You ever meet a young person that complains about everything? Every time you turn around, something on their body is ailing them.”
    â€œHypochondriacs,” Countess said.
    Gramps stopped and tilted his head. “Look at you. Using all them big, fancy words on this old country fellow. I just call them kind of folks constant complainers.”
    Gramps could tell Countess was having a good day today. With her diagnosed Alzheimer’s, you never knew from one day to the next what to expect from her. Recently, it was from one minute to the next. Whenever she went back in time in her mind and he tried to strike up a conversation with her, she would react to him as though he were some dirty old man trying to pick up some young girl. He would merely play along with her whenever she went to that place—apologizing if he’d offended her in any way.
    He was thankful that, so far, the disease hadn’t attached itself to his mind. Sure, he had plenty of his own forgetful moments. But his was a natural progression of life. He couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to look at your own children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren and not know them. Being in a home filled with senior citizens, he had witnessed all too often the hurt registered on various family members’ faces when their loved ones didn’t have a clue who they were. And then there were the