running into Father Smith at the 7-11

i run

into Father Smith at the 7-11.

i see he's

about to buy

eight hot dogs,

straight off the greasy

grill behind

the counter.

don't they feed you over

at the rectory

i ask him,

as we stand in line together.

it's taco

Tuesday, tonight he tells me.

i hate Mexican food.

not Mexican people

mind you, it's just that the food

upsets my stomach.

plus i'm thinking

about entering the fourth

of July

hot dog eating contest

at the church

on the 4th of July.

i'm practicing.

you should come by.

oh, thanks but no thanks, i tell him.

but did you know that hot dogs

cause Leukemia

in children?

it's true, something about

the meat,

the nitrates

and chemicals, all the floor

sweepings that go

into the casing.

google it.

okay, he says, rushing out,

stuffing mustard packets

into his black

pants.

see you this
Sunday, right? he says.

we could use a hand a the men's

pancake breakfast

Bible study.

maybe, i tell him. maybe.