Sum
@Summmluv
She smiles. She says his name.
Ender Wiggin, my precious.
‘We’re here about this insane mission of Quim’s,’ said Novinha.
‘He is called Father Estevão,’ said Bishop Peregrino. He was a stickler for giving proper dignity to church offices.
‘He’s my son,’ said Novinha. ‘I’ll call him what I please.’
He was surprised to see that the meeting was also being attended by Ouanda Saavedra, Andrew Wiggin, and half of Quim’s own family. Mother and Ela – their presence made sense, if the meeting were being called to discuss policy concerning the heretic pequeninos. But what were Quara and Grego doing here? There was no reason they should be involved in any serious discussions.
‘This is my body which is given for you, he told us. The way you gave your body for the pequeninos. For the little ones.’
‘Yeah, Quim, but he got his body back, right?’
‘He died, too.’
‘Is that how I get healed? Find a way to die?’
Of this body...
‘You want to know why you don’t get a miraculous healing? Because you don’t have faith, Miro.’
‘What about the man who said, Yes Master, I believe – forgive my unbelief?'
‘Are you that man? Have you even asked for a healing?’
‘I’m asking now,’ said Miro. And then, unbidden, tears came to his eyes. ‘O God,’ he whispered. ‘I’m so ashamed.’
‘Of what?’ asked Quim. ‘Of having asked God for help? Of crying in front of your brother? Of your sins? Of your doubts?’
Miro shook his head. He didn’t know. These questions were all too hard. Then he realized that he did know the answer. He held out his arms from his sides. ‘Of this body,’ he said.
‘You believe that miracles are possible.’
‘Yes.’
‘But you don’t think any of them actually happen.’
‘Miro, I believe that they do happen. I just don’t know if people accurately perceive which events are miracles and which are not. There are no doubt many miracles claimed which were not miracles at all. There are also probably many miracles that no one recognized when they occurred.’
‘What about me, Quim?’
‘What about you?’
‘Why no miracle for me?’