A short story

John’s list of grievances against the so-called God was long. If he existed how could he be so apathetic toward the poor? How could he be negligent of those suffering? And how could he possibly prosper the rich who campaign with God only to legislate like the devil? So, it was better to trust in anything than a God who couldn’t do crap about the crap he read online.

John learned life and death at a young age. Mom died from a congenital heart defect when he was 6. The irony is that, as a nurse, she was where she needed to be, but it didn’t do a damn bit of good. She died at the same hospital where she nursed so many back to health. That drove Dad to the proverbial bottle. He was one of those drunk dead beats the paper threatens to list on their front page. They never did. He never changed. He died 3 years later of liver damage.

So, John stayed with an aunt and uncle in New York City. NYC is expensive. They could only afford a one-bedroom apartment. It took about 3 or 4 months for John to acclimate to the tight quarters. Once he did life got better. His uncle became the father he never had. He taught John how to shave, wear a jock strap, and speak with girls.

His uncle demonstrated with his wife to help John out.

Without asking permission he petitioned his wife, “Hi, my name is Paul. What’s yours?” John and his aunt would greet such leaps into character with reserved laughter.

His wife acquiesced putting the dish towel down, “Judy.”

“Judy? That’s a great name,” he responded as he smiled. “Judy, what’s your favorite color?”

“My favorite color?” she mused.

“Yes. What’s your favorite color?” he said as he circled around her.

“Green, I guess.”

“You guess? You mean you don’t know your favorite color?” The tone of his voice left John wondering if this was still part of the act.

His aunt stated, “Green. Yes, green.”

John’s uncle paused in his circling still lost by her flippancy. After gathering his thoughts, he questioned, “Judy, do you prefer the city or the countryside?”

“The countryside. Most definitely. Without a doubt.” Her assertive response brought a cackle from John. Like a younger brother mimics his older, Judy’s laugh always followed John’s.

Paul was left to wonder if he’d be able to redeem this conversation. Unbowed, Paul asked, “What’s your day look like tomorrow?” Judy didn’t hear him. She was still lost in laughter with John. “What’s your day look like tomorrow I said.”

Judy realized the act continued. She resorted to real life, “I have a appointment between nine and eleven and then I’m scheduled for a 2:30pm with our lawyer to look over our living wills.”

The two now stood eye to eye her hands in his, “Would you be willing to honor me with your presence? I’d like to ask you to lunch. I’ll take care of everything. I’ll pick you up from work at 11am. We’ll head out on 371 towards Buffalo. I know of a countryside stop that will remind you why green is your favorite color,” he said with a wink. He continued, “It’s one of the most beautiful scenes in all of New York state. And I can’t imagine a more beautiful woman to spend it with than you.”

John didn’t know exactly when it happened, but he knew that his uncle had touched his aunt’s heart. What had begun as a lesson for him ended with an unmistakable connection. His aunt was lost in her lover’s eyes. And his acting had stopped awhile back. These two loved each other. John could see that. He hoped for that some day. Right now, he didn’t need all that. He would settle for just talking to a girl.