WE’RE HAPPY!

           "Why?"

           "GOD?LOVESUS!"

           "Howd’youknow?"

           "FOSTERTOLDUS!"

           Hedroppedtohisknees,raisedoneclenchedfist."Let’shearthatlionROAR!"

           Thecongregationroaredandshriekedandscreamedwhilehecontrolledthedinusinghisfistasabaton,raisingthevolume,loweringit,squeezingitdowntoasubvocalgrowl,thensuddenlydrivingittocrescendothatshookthebalcony.Mikefeltitbeatonhimandhewallowedinit,withecstasysopainfulthathefearedthathewouldbeforcedtowithdraw.ButJillhadtoldhimthathemustnoteverdosoagain,exceptintheprivacyofhisownroom;hecontrolleditandletthewaveswashoverhim.

           Themanstoodup."Ourfirsthymn,"hesaidbriskly,"issponsoredbyMannaBakeries,makersofAngelBread,theloafoflovewithourSupremeBishop’ssmilingfaceoneverywrapperandcontainingavaluablepremiumcouponredeemableatyournearestneighborhoodChurchoftheNewRevelation,BrothersandSisters,tomorrowMannaBakerieswithbranchesthroughoutthelandstartagiant,price-slashingsaleofpre-equinoxgoodies.SendyourchildtoschooltomorrowwithabulgingboxofArchangelFostercookies,eachoneblessedandwrappedinanappropriatetext–andpraythateachgoodiehegivesawaymayleadachildofsinnersnearertothelight.