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It was dinnertime when they arrived in Seattle. Scott stopped to grab everyone sub sandwiches and then went to gather on Capitol Hill where Ian’s prayer vigil would start in about half an hour.
Kennedy didn’t love the idea of being in such a huge crowd. She’d never really gotten over her germaphobia, and getting stuck in that hospital during an epidemic a few years back only exacerbated the issue. She was glad it was winter, so she could wear mittens and cover her mouth and nose with a scarf.
For a short time, she’d considered giving up her plans to become a doctor altogether. In addition to her fear of germs and her hatred of hospitals, she’d kind of flipped out last winter when she had to help Willow deliver a baby in the middle of nowhere. Going to South Korea last summer and seeing the work that Freedom Korea did to help refugees made her rethink her plans even more, especially once the director asked her to intern after graduation.
She had prayed about her decision, and even though she felt called to work in Seoul, she still couldn’t give up her dreams of med school altogether, which is why she’d requested the deferment.
It was funny how she’d spent so long worrying over her future, getting anxious about choices she wouldn’t have to make for years, but over the past semester, she didn’t have the mental energy to worry about anything other than Ian’s release. Maybe that was one blessing that came out of this entire ordeal. But couldn’t God have taught her to worry less some other way without throwing Ian in a North Korean jail?
Scott helped Grandma Lucy to a podium in front of the growing crowd, where she could sit for the vigil and not have to worry about getting jostled or thrown off balance. He told Kennedy there was room for her on stage too, but she wasn’t sure which she feared more — all the germs she’d come into contact with once the crowd numbers swelled or all the eyes that would be staring at her if she took her place up front. She decided to hang out near the stage where she could always make a quick escape if the crowds got too overwhelming, but she wasn’t right up there in front of the microphone for everyone to see.
“You doing okay?” Scott asked her after he made sure Grandma Lucy was comfortable and warm.
“Yeah. It’s already quite a turnout, isn’t it?”
Scott smiled at her and nodded. “It is. I have a good feeling about tonight. I really think we’re about to see God move.”
It was a comforting sentiment, but Kennedy’s soul was too tired to put much hope in his words.