After the youth meeting, Thomas stepped out into the quiet of the main office, set his bag down, and pulled out the Summa Theologica. The room’s soft hum settled around him as he read through the logical arguments, tracing the structure and rhythm of Aquinas’s reasoning. After a few minutes, he took out an unused notebook and began writing his own responses—arguments for, arguments against, and the logical steps he found compelling.

  An hour into this quiet study, the door opened. A man Thomas had never seen before stepped inside.

  Peter Boggs: Are you waiting to be picked up? Is there someone I should call for you?

  Thomas: Actually, sir… I was told to report here for dinner this evening.

  Boggs eyed him more closely.

  Peter Boggs: Did you bring your hat?

  Thomas reached down, unzipped a hidden pocket in his bag, and pulled out his probationary cap. When he placed it on his head, Boggs’s eyes widened.

  Peter Boggs: Son… who gave you that bag? And who gave you that cap?

  Thomas: I think Mr. Gold provided the cap. The bag was given to me by Mr. Mickelson.

  At that moment, Daniel stepped into the doorway.

  Daniel: Brother Boggs—is there a reason you’re challenging my brother?

  Boggs: I didn’t know we had a probationary brother this young.

  Daniel sighed.

  Daniel: That’s because you only show up for dinners. We’ve been blessed with two probationary members since the last time you bothered to attend. And I’m not going to let you challenge my future son-in-law.

  Boggs: Future son-in-law? He looks like a freshman in high school—if that.

  Daniel: He is young. He’s new to the organization. But Brother Boggs… from what I’ve seen so far, there are only two brothers in this lodge wise enough to mentor him—and both of them adopted him long before the rest of us realized who he was. And yes, that was because of their daughter, Shoshana.

  Daniel leaned forward with a grin.

  Daniel: I’ll make you a bet. The Nutcracker box set. If I lose, I give you the tickets. If I win, you buy out the rest of the box. The bet is this: he will be the cause of more shekels being given out than the rest of the lodge this year.

  At that moment the Worshipful Master, Bingham, walked in.

  Bingham: Brother Boggs… I love you. But if I were you, I wouldn’t bet against the young man sitting over there.

  He clapped Boggs on the shoulder.

  Bingham: I’ll sweeten Daniel’s bet. I’ll cover three seats in that box—Shoshana, Tamar, and Tamar’s husband. You cover the rest. And you babysit that night.

  Boggs: I haven’t even heard what he’s done.

  Bingham: Then you haven’t heard the agenda tonight either.

  Boggs: No, sir. I’ve been away.

  Bingham: The agenda is to encourage the brothers to share their shekels—with him. I heard he might not be in town because he has the youth group excited about setting up a cricket game for a new employee at Sholomoh’s chemical plant. I know Thomas is here to ask about the equipment they need. And I know he’d pay for it if we let him.

  Bingham folded his arms.

  Bingham: I’ve never once seen the youth group so excited to serve a complete stranger. And that’s not all. You haven’t heard about Mrs. Menendez losing power and all her food spoiling. Jose’s mother gave four shekels to that kid… and Thomas coordinated the repair through Eric and Jonathan.

  Boggs: Four? Already?

  Bingham: Four justified. Three from people who have never given before. I’m expecting twelve to be given out tonight. A thirteenth for Jonathan, which will bring him to his third medallion. And I personally gave one from me. That’s why Thomas and Jonathan were made probationary members.

  He tapped the table lightly.

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  Bingham: That’s sixteen shekels in a month. We gave out twenty-three all summer. He earned nine of those. So yes—Brother Boggs, I’ll hold you to the tickets.

  Boggs: How could I have known… He didn’t say anything.

  Daniel: That’s because he shows more respect than you showed him. And trust me—you won’t be the last to challenge him. The tickets will be cheaper than the promises Sholomoh and David made.

  Boggs: Fine. Just tell me the seats I owe. Really—four already?

  Bingham: Five, actually. But we aren’t counting the one he earned and handed to Jose before we even knew who he was.

  Bingham turned.

  Bingham: Thomas—we need to set up the dining room. Can you help?

  Thomas: What style of dining?

  Bingham: Casual.

  Thomas: Then it shouldn’t take long.

  Dinner Preparations

  After the tables were arranged, Thomas found a quiet corner table for himself. He checked the kitchen, hoping to help, but was shooed away—the food was already prepared. He returned to his seat, staying politely out of the way.

  A hand extended into his field of vision. He looked up.

  Bingham: I’m the Worshipful Master of this lodge. I’m glad you accepted our invitation to dinner.

  Thomas answered shyly.

  Thomas: Thank you, sir. But I don’t understand why I’ve been invited and not Jonathan.

  Bingham: My understanding is that you received a name during your rite of adoption.

  Thomas formed the ASL “N,” tapped his temple, then his heart.

  Thomas: What I know is locked in my heart.

  Bingham: Who taught you those signs?

  Thomas: No one. I saw them after the beit din. And that’s all I can say, sir.

  Bingham: Why those words?

  Thomas: Because they’re true—and they keep my instructions.

  Eric and Daniel joined the table.

  Eric: Does anyone manage not to challenge this kid? Oh—and I heard you went out with Veronica. My wife’s going to call you, by the way. Something about a smooth move and perfect romantic timing.

  An older man approached, his eyes bright with recognition.

  Old Brother: Finally. I’ve wanted to meet you again. The last time I saw you, you said your father and grandfather were known as Double Trouble.

  Thomas nodded.

  Thomas: I remember. You told me you knew them and wondered when one of their descendants would join.

  Old Brother: Gentlemen—I’ve known four generations of his family. Worked with his grandfather before he retired. Met his great-grandfather, a Mason and Freemason both. They’ve all been good men—troubled sometimes, but good. If he says he learned service from his family, it’s the truth. And they all had a gift for solving problems.

  The man chuckled.

  Old Brother: Do you know why they called them Double Trouble?

  Thomas: I thought it was their initials.

  Old Brother: Partly. Mostly it was because they troubled us before they fixed the problem—and troubled us after with the way they fixed it.

  The table erupted in laughter.

  Old Brother: Now… rumor says you’ve gone out with both those lovely girls you sat with at the awards dinner. Your family are family men, not ladies’ men. And even I’m shocked you caught the attention of two as lovely as them. They’re best friends, you know.

  Thomas: There is no one here who understands more than I do how much I have to lose if I ever hurt those girls.

  The older men shook their heads—approvingly, not scornfully.

  Old Brother: Well, if you find new ways to get into trouble, let me know. It’s no fun watching these guys hog you.

  More men stopped by to introduce themselves—talking family, work, and everything except lodge business. When it was time for the meeting, Thomas was asked to wait in the dining room. He helped clean up dishes and ended up soaked from the sprayer. Two brothers peeked in, saw him drenched and still working, laughed, and returned to report:

  “He’s wet—but the dishes are clean.”

  When he finished, Thomas sat down again and scribbled notes on how to answer the premises from earlier.

  After the Lodge Meeting

  Boggs appeared beside the table.

  Boggs: It seems I owe you an apology.

  Thomas: You don’t need to. You thought I was just hanging around. As far as I’m concerned—if it doesn’t translate to action, it’s a moot point.

  Eric: He just threw down a gauntlet, Boggs. You’ll have to pick it up. Thomas—something came up. I’m taking you home tonight.

  Returning Home

  Eric accompanied Thomas inside. Sholomoh and Ruth sat together on the sofa, leaving space between them. Thomas was motioned into the middle, and the moment he sat down, they wrapped him in a long, warm hug.

  Eric: So you’ve heard already.

  Sholomoh: Yes. Boggs is a good man. But he loves testing whoever comes through the door.

  Ruth: After big social events, we like to review what happened. And listen—this one may look steady, but he’s more sensitive than he lets on.

  Eric: You would’ve been proud. He didn’t let Boggs off with the apology. Told him that if it doesn’t translate to action, it’s moot.

  Ruth: That is tactful.

  Eric: You two should come back to lodge dinners.

  Sholomoh: In time. Right now my focus is on our boy. We’ll get him a car eventually—but with Veronica, there’s been no urgency.

  Ruth: Her parents like how determined she is to keep him around. Keeps her out of trouble. And Thomas seems to be rubbing off on both her and Shoshana.

  Eric: Speaking of which—have you ever been to the Nutcracker?

  Ruth: No.

  Eric: Well… Thomas might have gotten you box tickets. Boggs stepped right into it and lost the bet. Daniel and Bingham picked up part of the box, but Boggs is covering the rest—and babysitting.

  Ruth: I would’ve loved to see that.

  Eric: Daniel’s rushing the cricket books. We’re looking at a weekend you’ll be in Houston. They want your opinion.

  Thomas: I feel I should stay with Ruth and Sholomoh. If they can’t pull it off after everyone’s excited—I didn’t know the date—me being there won’t help. I can let Arvand know.

  Eric: Funny enough—I work with him. He’ll want to thank you. I’ll tell him tomorrow.

  Thomas: I can come over Thursday. I won’t stay late, but… I’d love to see his reaction. Maybe Veronica can take me.

  Eric: Then I’ll see you Thursday. Good night.

  When he left, Ruth held Thomas for a long moment.

  Ruth: You alright?

  Thomas: Yeah.

  Ruth: Let me guess—you’re feeling a bit rolled over by all this. You thought you’d quietly get the youth group excited… then call Arvand once the books arrived. Not meet him Saturday. Not make a plan on the spot. Not have everything move so fast.

  Thomas nodded.

  Thomas: That sounds about right.

  Sholomoh: I know it’s a lot. But there’s something wonderful about you—something Shoshana saw long before the rest of us. You should have heard the Worshipful Master call after the meeting, asking where you learned those signs. He said your phrase—“What I know is locked away in my heart”—wasn’t exactly what we use… but some brothers wondered if it might be better.

  He squeezed Thomas’s shoulder.

  Sholomoh: You did great tonight. If you need to stay here and let us hold you awhile—take your time.

  Ruth: My boy… we love you. And we are so glad you’re with us.