Miracles Read Free Page A

the young man said.
    â€œYou are a real person.”
    â€œYes sir, Mitter Bennett.”
    Confused, and not certain now whether he’d really heard Jimmy or not, Sam stumbled out when the doors opened. Behind him, Jimmy called, “Have a good day, Mitter Bennett.”
    Sam nodded and gave him a cursory wave, then headed for his office. He passed his secretary on the way in.
    â€œMornin’, Sam,” she said. “How’s it going?”
    â€œGood, Sally. Any messages so far?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    He stood at her desk and scanned her calendar to see what was on his agenda today. She pulled her chair up and began jotting his appointments on a separate sheet of paper.
    â€œEleven, six, fifty-seven.”
    He glanced at her and saw that she was busy writing. “What was that?” he asked.
    She looked up at him, perplexed. “What?”
    â€œDidn’t you say something?” He was sweating now. His tie felt too tight; it was constricting his breath.
    â€œI said no messages.”
    â€œNo! After that.”
    Slowly, she got up. “Sam, are you sure you’re all right? You’re looking a little pale.”
    â€œI’m fine,” he snapped. “Maybe I need a glass of water.”
    â€œI’ll get you one.”
    As she headed quickly for the lounge, Sam went into his office and sat down. Things were getting too weird. Nothing made any sense. Sally brought him the water, and he gulped it down, but it didn’t do much to help him.
    â€œDo you have a fever?” she asked, touching his forehead maternally.
    â€œNo, I just didn’t sleep very well last night. I keep thinking I’m hearing people talking.” He frowned, realizing what she must be thinking. He was delusional. But he didn’t hear any such thought from her. Instead, she repeated, “Eleven, six, fifty-seven . . . It has to win. It has to.”
    Sam sucked in a breath. “A lottery ticket?” he asked.
    The question startled her. She looked as though she’d just gotten caught stealing. “I didn’t—”
    â€œNo, don’t defend yourself,” he said, getting up. “I don’t care. I just want to know. Are you trying to win the lottery?”
    She looked embarrassed for a moment, then after a few seconds, compressed her lips and threw her chin up. “Yes, Sam, I am. You see, I don’t make the kind of money you make, so I have to take other opportunities.”
    â€œThe numbers,” he said. “Were they eleven, six, fifty-seven?” Her gasp could have sucked in an insect from the other side of town. “I knew it!” she shouted. “They’re winning numbers. First I heard them on the radio. This guy had kids ages eleven and six, and it was fifty-seven degrees when I got up. And those are the numbers of my birthday! And there were eleven red lights on the way to work and six stop signs, and I saw a flock of birds that must have had fifty-seven—”
    He moaned and dropped back down. “Sally, this is a stretch. You’re looking for those numbers, but the chances of your winning—”
    â€œThen how come you just spouted them out to me? It’s affirmation, Sam! If I wasn’t sure before, I am now! The Lord gave me these numbers!”
    â€œSally, the Lord does a lot of things, but I don’t think he picks lottery numbers. My understanding is that he isn’t big on gambling.”
    â€œWell, you just wait and see,” she said.
    â€œIf I win, he’ll see what I’m worth.” This time her lips didn’t move.
    There it was again. One of those thoughts. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and covered his ears.
    â€œYou don’t look so good, Sam,” she said. “Maybe I should call Kate. She could get you in to see a doctor.”
    â€œI don’t need a doctor. It’s these stupid voices!”
    â€œI had a friend once who kept hearing voices, and it