The Meadow 155 flesh as you suffer in the flesh. How can any one person here truly believe that He would ever forsake you? No matter what you may have done in your life, no matter how many times you may have been abandoned, He, Jesus Christ, will never abandon you.” Reverend Kruger bows his head and closes his eyes in silent prayer. After a minute, he opens his eyes and says: “On the table next to the door, you will find plenty of doughnuts and eggnog. Please take as much as you like. Peace be with you. Merry Christmas.” I begin walking toward the door. “Michael,” I hear a voice behind me. I turn around. It is Denise. I cannot help admiring her beautiful blue eyes beneath her light brown hair. I stand perfectly still, not daring to move toward her “Michael,” she repeats. “Stay. Have eggnog and doughnuts with us.” Within the sanctuary of my thoughts, I think: “I have promised to visit Mary’s Child.” I stare at her high cheek bones and perfect Roman nose. I think of my crooked teeth and narrow chin. “Thank you,” I answer. I know it is my voice and not me who is being asked to join her for eggnog and doughnuts. I am standing near her now, holding a cardboard cup. She is pouring eggnog into it. I squeeze the cup in order to stop my nervousness from shaking my hand. “Michael?” she repeats. The conversation surrounding me hurts my ears. I cannot recognize one bar of music in any of the words. “What? I’m sorry. I couldn’t, ah ….” “What are you doing on Christmas Day, Michael?” I want to answer her, but I do not want to embarrass her by saying that I am staying in my room and watching a movie.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQ3NA==