Putting fear of rejection aside, Nellie lay pen to paper, scripting an offer of forgiveness. In her heart, she knew there was no other way but to reveal the truth from decades past. Her selfless act of love no longer held the clarity it once did; the weight of the burden now consumed the very depths of her soul, her heart weeping with anguish.

So many years had passed; so many opportunities, wasted. She asked God to forgive her, but would Darcy do the same? Could Nellie ever forgive herself for committing such an unforgivable act? It was from love the secrets were kept; now, it was because of love the truth's revelation had to be.

Meanwhile, in the silence of the moment, one solitary figure willed the tears to cease, but failed in the effort. Words hastily written... before the thoughts vanished forever from his mind...resounded back to his heart in heightened confusion.

Laying the notebook aside, he shut his eyes and entered into a fitful restlessness. God's plans were in the making, unknown to the author of the script. With words placed in his heart to pen, the mission was yet to be. God's hand was on both; their journeys under way.

Nathan pulled into the driveway of the parsonage, taking notice of the patrol car parked at the curb. Glancing toward the porch, he saw his friend posturing his head in his hands in a grievous manner. "I didn't know where else to go. I..."

"Nathan, I saw the empty room. She's gone, and there's not a thing I can do about it. I shouldn't have gone to the office...not at that hour. If only I had gone to the hospital instead. I could have talked to her one last time. At least touch her hand and tell her how I feel. Now, she'll never know..."

Nathan sensed that Sarge was interpreting what Dr. Gill had yet to say by his frame of reference: the empty room. Nathan was privy to information he thought Sarge knew about. It was only upon witnessing the anguished look on his friend's face that he knew Sarge had only partial news; the rest was left unsaid with the abrupt interruption at the hospital. "Sarge, we need to take a ride."

As Nathan pulled into the vistor's parking space, Sarge knew where he was; but it was a place he didn't want to be. He never wanted to walk her halls again. He had left with a broken heart and he could not...would not...go back. Not after what had happened. Tonight, before his very eyes, Nathan was seeing Sarge in that troubled zone of confinement in which he had no control. The schedule had been made, written by God Himself; a time for complete revelation of the truth; the truth concerning Nellie Turner. Yet, why such turmoil within him? Why was he feeling so angry? He had prayed...God had spoken.

Gabe fingered the envelope, touching the sealed flap that secured the contents. He felt a connection, picturing his mom's fingers touching the very object he held in his hands. Part of him wanted so badly to shout his joy in receiving this gift of writing from his mom, but another part wept in despair, forced into torment by circumstances not of his doing. How he wished he could make sense of the last two years. Carefully opening the envelope, Gabe unfolded the letter and began to read.

... Years of suppressing what I have to say to you has taken its toll; and I can no longer hide behind the secrecy. I want you to know I have asked God to forgive me. Now, I beg for your forgiveness as well. This secret I have kept for way too long needs to be released from the hardness of the tomb. I cannot continue in the manner that I have, carrying such encumbrance. Remember Gabe: I will always love you. ... No matter what Mom

Tears made their way upon Gabe's cheeks. For the first time since reading his mom's letter did it dawn on him-the revelation God had sent him, loud and clear: forgiveness. That's what was giving his mother a taste of peace. Through forgiveness, a new breath of life was given where coldness and bitterness had held tight. This was the act that would send that balm to the wound; letting the healing begin. Now Gabe understood.

Putting fear of rejection aside, Nellie lay pen to paper, scripting an offer of forgiveness. In her heart, she knew there was no other way but to reveal the truth from decades past. Her selfless act of love no longer held the clarity it once did; the weight of the burden now consumed the very depths of her soul, her heart weeping with anguish.

So many years had passed; so many opportunities, wasted. She asked God to forgive her, but would Darcy do the same? Could Nellie ever forgive herself for committing such an unforgivable act? It was from love the secrets were kept; now, it was because of love the truth's revelation had to be.

Meanwhile, in the silence of the moment, one solitary figure willed the tears to cease, but failed in the effort. Words hastily written... before the thoughts vanished forever from his mind...resounded back to his heart in heightened confusion.

Laying the notebook aside, he shut his eyes and entered into a fitful restlessness. God's plans were in the making, unknown to the author of the script. With words placed in his heart to pen, the mission was yet to be. God's hand was on both; their journeys under way.

Nathan pulled into the driveway of the parsonage, taking notice of the patrol car parked at the curb. Glancing toward the porch, he saw his friend posturing his head in his hands in a grievous manner. "I didn't know where else to go. I..."

"Nathan, I saw the empty room. She's gone, and there's not a thing I can do about it. I shouldn't have gone to the office...not at that hour. If only I had gone to the hospital instead. I could have talked to her one last time. At least touch her hand and tell her how I feel. Now, she'll never know..."

Nathan sensed that Sarge was interpreting what Dr. Gill had yet to say by his frame of reference: the empty room. Nathan was privy to information he thought Sarge knew about. It was only upon witnessing the anguished look on his friend's face that he knew Sarge had only partial news; the rest was left unsaid with the abrupt interruption at the hospital. "Sarge, we need to take a ride."

As Nathan pulled into the vistor's parking space, Sarge knew where he was; but it was a place he didn't want to be. He never wanted to walk her halls again. He had left with a broken heart and he could not...would not...go back. Not after what had happened. Tonight, before his very eyes, Nathan was seeing Sarge in that troubled zone of confinement in which he had no control. The schedule had been made, written by God Himself; a time for complete revelation of the truth; the truth concerning Nellie Turner. Yet, why such turmoil within him? Why was he feeling so angry? He had prayed...God had spoken.