he felt as if he'd stumbled into an alter-reality. he'd had no
plans, but this wasn't what was in mind. it was uncalled for.
shuddering, he wondered if he was cold or if it was the enormity of the
empty pews and the cathedral ceiling reminding him how small he was. it
had been years since he'd been in a church; raised catholic, he'd grown
apart from things associated with faith. he wondered if he had slipped
in that day hoping to find answers, but there were no answers there...
there never had been. with a sense of sudden urgency, he stood and left
through the side door.
stepping out into the sun, he squinted, shading his eyes. the palms
lining the street were blowing in a warm ocean breeze. he walked east
and although it was the middle of the day, the humidity kept his
thick-framed glasses sliding down his nose. his white t-shirt
had become dry in the cool church but was now accumulating perspiration
yet again.
he ducked under the first neon sign he saw, and after ordering his
pbr, he settled on a couch in the pub, slipped off his shoes like it
was his living room, and gazed out the window. he thought of the people
he'd never met, of the girl who he was sure thought him an ass. he
thought of all the places he could be, and thought of all the
things so familiar... so many spots that felt like home.
he took a sip of his beer. there would be no answers that day.
Inspired by Grumble B, a man I love but may never meet.
