Read Online The Committee by Terry E. Hill - Free Book Online Page A

kaleidoscope of light from the afternoon sun to bathe the room. Hands that had touched the face of God squeezed the now soft potato flesh, creating just the right balance of mashed and potato chunks. She couldn’t ignore the tingling traveling from her spine down to her legs, but learned from years of experience you can’t rush the Lord. When He wants me to know, He will tell me.
    â€œIn my troubles, Lord, walk with me,” her hymn continued.

    â€œ In my troubles, Lord, walk with me.
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to—”

    And then it happened. The window over the sink became cloudy. Billows poured from the edges and formed a fog through which she couldn’t see.
    There was no time to reach for the tea towel on the stove behind her. Hattie rested her mashed potato-covered hands on the counter and braced herself for what was to come. Slowly, she saw Gideon’s face emerge through the fog. He was oblivious to the white smoke enveloping him. His bright eyes focused intently on something in the distance Hattie couldn’t see. She could sense the danger waiting just beyond her view, but it was clear Gideon couldn’t. He moved steadily through the haze directly toward the source of the threat.
    â€œDon’t go any closer,” Hattie said softly to the window. “Danger is waiting for you over there.”
    Gideon couldn’t hear her warning. He moved at an even faster pace than before. The fog grew darker with every step he took. Hattie felt he would soon be face-to-face with a force he couldn’t possibly be prepared for.
    â€œTurn back, boy,” she admonished. “Turn back.”
    Her words simply bounced off the glass, unheard by the determined man in the window.
    â€œHe won’t listen, Lord. Make him—”
    The image of a woman appeared in front of Gideon before she could finish her plea. Hattie couldn’t see her face, but immediately knew everything about her. There’s evil in her heart. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to destroy him. Hattie silently read the essence of the woman’s soul as if it were scrolling on a ticker tape at the bottom of the window. There are powerful forces around her and directing her every move. They will destroy anyone who gets in her way.
    The two figures were now so close their noses were almost touching. Suddenly the fog began to clear, and Hattie saw for the first time who the woman was.
    â€œOh, Lord, no,” she gasped, lifting her potato-covered hand to her mouth. “Camille Hardaway.”
    Camille turned sharply toward Hattie as if she heard her name uttered from across the divide and looked Hattie directly in the eye. Camille did not speak, but Hattie heard her words clearly, “Keep out of this. This isn’t your battle.”
    Hattie locked eyes with Camille and said firmly, “Jesus put you in my window, so that makes it my battle.”
    The images began to fade just as Hattie spoke the words. The two women’s eyes remained locked the entire time. The billowing fog slowly subsided. Gideon and Camille were gradually replaced by the condensation from the steaming potatoes and the cooling pot of water on the stove.
    The calm of her kitchen returned as quickly as it had given way to the vision in the window. Hattie looked down at the chopping block piled with onions and the bowl of soft potatoes.
    â€œLord, give me strength,” she said. “You saved him once, and I know you will do it again.”
    Hattie combined the ingredients to create the perfect blend of flavors as only she, and her deceased mother, knew how. The potato salad was made all while Hattie silently prayed for the man in the window.
    â€œProtect him, Lord,” she said placing the cellophane-wrapped bowl in the refrigerator. “Protect him like only you can.”
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    Gillette Lemaitre rolled the weathered baseball, given to her earlier by Camille, from one