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few minutes ago. How’s that for a confession?”
    Father laughed. “Honest.”
    “I was scheduled to set the table. Am I too late?”
    “Actually, you’re just in time. By the way, do you have any idea where Flynn is? He borrowed my car.”
    “No. He came in Zoe B’s looking for me this afternoon, and I told the waitress to tell him I wasn’t there.”
    “Why?” A row of lines formed on Father Vince’s forehead, his dark curls tighter from the day’s humidity.
    “Because I paid him to help me move Adele Woodmore’s furniture, and he only did half the job. I had to call Noah to help me move it back because Flynn was nowhere to be found. That on top of all the other times he’s flaked out, and I’m done. Flynn’s lazy and dishonest. Please don’t ask me to cut him any more slack.”
    “Not every homeless man readjusts to the real world as smoothly as you and Noah have.”
    “But the other guys are trying. Flynn isn’t.”
    “Because he keeps messing up?” Father Vince sighed. “I think he’s trying to do better and just can’t get his act together.”
    “Tell yourself whatever you want. But it’s not helping him that you make excuses for him.”
    Father Vince put his hands in his pockets. “I’m well aware of Flynn’s shortcomings. I just don’t believe it’s time to give up on him.”
    “I don’t have that problem. Flynn knows the rules. He’s laughing because you let him manipulate you. Maybe that doesn’t bother you, but it infuriates me.”
    “A lot of things bother me worse—like letting go of a man God put in my care.” Father Vince took a step closer to Murray and patted him on the back. “There has to be a way to turn Flynn around. We’re family here. We need to have patience and keep reaching out. Especially those of you who are good examples for him to follow.”
    Murray glanced at his watch. “I’ve got just enough time to go wash my hands and get the table set.”
    “So you’ll do what you can to help Flynn?”
    “All right, Father. I’ll do it for you.”
    Murray walked through the living room and up the stairs. He turned into his dorm room—and ran headlong into Flynn.
    “Where’ve you been?” Murray said. “Father Vince has been waiting for you to come back with his car. Why didn’t you tell him you were here?”
    “Oops.”
    Murray shoved him. “Thanks for flaking out on me again, moron.”
    “Sorry, man. I forgot about moving the furniture until it was too late. I tried to find you at Zoe B’s and say I was sorry, but they told me you weren’t there.”
    “Just don’t expect me to share any more of my jobs.”
    “I said I was sorry.”
    “Yeah, we both know what your words are worth. You don’t have any intention of bettering yourself. You’re just working the system. You may have Father Vince fooled, but not me.”
    “Someone’s touchy.”
    “ Touchy?” Murray grabbed Flynn’s T-shirt. “Try fed up! I’ve had all of you I can take.”
    “Now that really hurts my feelings.” Flynn’s tone was mocking, his smile irritating. “Father Vince said we’re supposed to treat each other like brothers.”
    Murray remembered the promise he had just made to Father Vince and let go of Flynn’s T-shirt. He held up his palms. “Sorry, brother . You just get on my nerves.”
    “Yeah, I had a real brother once,” Flynn said. “I got on his nerves too. Know what happened to him?”
    “Can’t imagine.”
    “He went missing. Disappeared one day. Just like that.” Flynn snapped his fingers. “No one’s heard from him since. Tragic.”
    “Just stay away from me.” Murray took a step backwards. “You’re one sick dude.”
    “And don’t you forget it.” Flynn cocked his head and laughed.
    Murray went into the bathroom and locked the door, his face sizzling with annoyance. Father Vince had better wise up about Flynn. He heard another voice in the hallway.
    “You’re a real jerk, you know that?” Noah said.
    “I’ve been called worse.”