Last Writes by Sheila Lowe

already been set on either side of him. Stedman brushed off their apologies for being tardy as Kelly and Claudia slipped into their seats. He addressed the congregation. “Sister Kelly and Sister Claudia are going to be visiting with us for a few days. They’re eager to learn the way to salvation, so I know you’ll all welcome them and help them understand our ways and our beliefs.”
    In dutiful unison, the group chanted, “Welcome, sisters,” and Claudia felt as if she were attending a twelve-step meeting. What would they do if I said, Hi, my name is Claudia, and I’m here to spy on you? Then everyone returned to their meal and she might as well have thrown a rock into a pool: the ripples vanished, leaving the surface undisturbed.
    Moments later, Esther returned with a large tray on which two plates were heaped with steamed broccoli, cauliflower and rice, grilled chicken, and a slab of buttered cornbread. They might get overheated, but they would not starve during their stay at the Ark.
    Stedman said, “We eat plain, but nutritious. We rise early, work hard, and retire early. Especially in the summer when it’s so warm, we try to get most of our work done in the cooler hours.”
    Kelly dabbed her forehead with her napkin. “I guess you don’t use air-conditioning.”
    Stedman smiled. “That would run counter to our beliefs, don’t you think, Sister Kelly? Admittedly, we do use electricity, but we want to contribute as little as possible to the coming cataclysm. There are swamp coolers in some of the buildings.”
    Kelly shifted her body closer to him, her chin tilted toward his face with an earnestness that made Claudia cringe.
    “Brother Stedman, I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to learning about the Temple of Brighter Light. It feels like I’ve been wandering in the desert, spiritually starving for ever and ever. But since hearing your sermon at the rally last night, I believe that it’s possible I’ve found God’s manna at last.”
    Claudia silently telegraphed a message: You’re overdoing it.
    Stedman returned her gaze with a long, searching one of his own. “That’s just fine, Sister Brennan. I’ve already asked Brother Norquist to spend the afternoon with you and introduce you to our teachings.” He nodded in the direction of a frail-looking man seated at the end of the table, nodding over his plate. Claudia guessed he must be ninety if he was a day. “Brother Norquist is one of the founding members of the Temple of Brighter Light, so he’s the best equipped of all to answer your questions.”
    Kelly’s face fell, but she quickly recovered. “That sounds great, but I’d love to just wander around the grounds for a while and chat with some of the members.”
    “When I told him how interested you were to learn, brother got very excited. We wouldn’t want to deprive him, would we, sister?”
    “I guess not, but . . .”
    Stedman turned to Claudia. “You and I will go over to the office, Sister Rose. I’ll show you what I’m looking for in regard to what we discussed last night, and then you can get to work. We’ve got you set up in our purchasing agent’s room. Brother Powers is away from the Ark for an extended period, and I know he wouldn’t be averse to your using his office while he’s gone.”
    Claudia’s interest quickened, hearing that she would be assigned to Rodney Powers’ office. The more they knew about Jephthah’s Daughters, the easier it should be to discover something about Rodney’s plans to have his daughter inducted. She said, “Esther was telling us about a family named Powers. She said they’d gone away to the mountains. Is that who you’re talking about?”
    “Yes, the family has been away for a while. In fact, they’re due back in a few days.”
    “Esther told us their little girl is going into a special program.”
    “That’s right. Kylie has been enrolled since her birth. It’s a great privilege to be chosen.”
    “How does one get