Free Omniscient Leaps by Kimberly Slivinski Page A

on this. Just let me hear it. All of it.”
    “You know that expression?” I jeered. His lips quivered slightly and I felt a little satisfaction. “Alright, so here’s what I know.”
    I explained what had happened the night I first said my prayer. The first flash was short but meaningful when it came to the jab I gave Gage at school. Luke quite enjoyed that part because it was the only time I noticed his expression changed, even if it was just for a moment. Then I told him about the latest, most disturbing, flash. He sat quietly, nodded and waited patiently for me to finish.
    “It appears you are working on a whole family. You’ve definitely got yourself quite a challenge, especially for your first leap,” Luke gave me a sympathetic smile. “I am sure you didn’t expect this to be easy but—”
    “But nothing. I didn’t expect this at all so I guess we won’t worry about what an easy first case I could have had.” I leaned back against the pew and looked up. “Any suggestions? I really don’t know what to do and Lilly was so hopeless.”
    “I think you haven’t been shown enough yet. A few more flashes and we will be able to piece this together. I promise I will think about this when I am on my own. You have a lot of people counting on you.”
    “Luke,” I interrupted. “How does this work exactly? I mean, I know life isn’t fair, but why do some prayers get answered while others, people who pray religiously, never get an answer? It’s very confusing for someone new to all of this.”
    I felt Luke stand up and I turned to see what he was doing. He was pacing in the aisle and rumpling his blond hair. “I don’t have an answer for you. After all these years I don’t have an answer for me either. I guess that’s something you will have to ask Our Maker when your time is up. Believe me, it is something I’ve struggled with before,” he paused. “Well, before I left my regular life, I delved into a similar inquiry. With the position we are in, we just have to have faith and trust that everything is going to work out like it should. God has His reasons for everything and if you feel like He hasn’t answered something, He has. It just might not be what you expected.”
    “Can you tell me about your life, Luke?” I probed. “I would love to know about your past and how you became a shepherd.”
    “You want to know about me ?” Luke asked with a smile. He was staring at me with an intensity that made me suddenly feel self-conscious.
    “If you feel like sharing, I do,” I mumbled. “I mean, I’m sure my Mom would love the details about the huge crush I have on the recluse I have been spending time with. Not that she’d believe me.” I glanced up to see Luke’s mouth gaping. “Why did I just say that? Can you tell that I ramble when I am nervous?” Gosh, could I sound anymore immature?
    “Follow me,” Luke said. He nodded his head towards a smaller room off of the small chapel.
    The room had a small couch and rows and rows of filled bookshelves. It must have been the library Luke spoke of. Even with such a varied selection to choose from, I could only imagine how lonely I would feel if the space was where I spent all of my free time. I guess that’s why I wanted to know more about Luke’s past. I wanted to see why he was okay with his living arrangements. It didn’t seem like a blissful way to spend eternity if you asked me. Then again, what did I know? I was new at all of this.
    “The library, right?” I finally said. Luke nodded.
    “My home away from home,” he laughed. “The church looks different to everyone, but my library and my room,” he pointed to a door behind him, “they always remain the same. The book selection changes as the times do. I suppose it keeps me from sounding like some archaic old timer when I meet with my leapers.”
    “And you’re okay with this? Seriously?” I asked, now deeply concerned for his well-being and happiness.
    “Yes.” He glanced up at