Sara took her time to respond. She breathed deeply and then slipped her arm around Roy's waist, pulling him in close. "You listen to me Roy. You don't know what you're talking about because you've probably never prayed a prayer in your life."
"You got that right, and I'm not about to start either."
"Well, I prayed that God would send me a man to replace Olof. Someone the boys could look up to, someone I could love. And guess what? He sent you."
Roy did not have a response. "Okay, fine." Roy couldn't argue with Sara's logic. "What am I supposed to say to your God?"
"Just speak to him, like you would talk to a man."
Roy fumed and stared at Sara. "Just talk to God?"
Sara smiled.
Roy rolled his eyes and shook his head. "How am I supposed to talk to someone I haven't ever seen or even believe in?" He threw up his hands and shrugged. "I don't know what to say. How do I know he's going to hear me buried in this tunnel?"
Sara remained quiet and the two sat staring at each other for a long time. Finally, Roy cleared his throat.
"Okay God, it's Roy. Oh, and yes, this is probably the first time you've ever heard from me. We're stuck in this tunnel without a way out and I wanted to get married to Sara. I haven't ever been married and to tell you the truth, I don't wish to die like this. We could use some help, like Sara said, a miracle." Roy paused but could not think of anything else. "I guess that's it, God."
"Amen," said Sara.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's what you're expected to say at the end of a prayer. Amen; it means, so be it."
"Okay, amen God. So, now what happens?"
"We wait for God."
"Sara! How is your plan any different than mine?"
"Maw, Roy; come here quick, Billy found something!"
"What is it, Abe?"
It was too late to answer Abe's question because the lad was dashing down the tunnel. When Roy and Sara arrived where the two boys were standing, Billy and Abe were just grinning. Puzzled, Sara bent over and gave them her motherly stare.
"What are you two grinning about?"
Billy held a thin wood stick to the flame of Abe's lantern setting it afire. He then withdrew the stick and thrust it up to the ceiling. Within seconds, rushing air extinguished the stick and the smoke disappeared into a crack above their heads. Billy was about to repeat his magic trick when Roy stopped him.