a tall
boy,
out of college,
handsome,
a Catholic who actually
attended mass
each Sunday.
he came over for dinner
one night
and proceeded to take
on the task of
saying grace.
we all sat at the dinner
table
with hands folded
and eyes down
as he proceeded with
his prayer.
he offered up
the usual words of thanks,
the standard
rote prayer,
but then strayed off course
petitioning God
to help the people
in Africa
and Asia,
wandering into the hills
of Appalachia.
bless the homeless and sick,
the disenfranchised,
etc.
i opened one eye at him
to take a look,
wondering how
long this prayer would
go on.
i stared at the steak on
my plate
going cold. the potatoes
beginning to harden.
i wanted to pray that this prayer
would end,
but didn't,
and then after reminding God
about the measle
outbreak,
and with some hesitation,
he said,
and dear Lord,
forgive me for what
happened with
me and Becky last night
at the drive-in.
amen.
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