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Topic: Endurance (03/22/04)
TITLE: Table Set Before Me • Part 3 of Chapter 1 - Endurance By Kenny Paul Clarkson 03/26/04 |
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A patrol car whizzed by the minivan.
"To protect and to serve," Randy read.
"What's that?"
"To protect and to serve," he repeated. "It's painted on the side of every city police car."
"Hmm," she could hardly be heard. No conversation there, she thought.
"Know what that means?"
She knew, but wondered what Randy's take would be. She offered an inquiring glance at her husband.
"Means they protect you against the bad guys." She knew that.
"And serve?" he continued. "Means if you roll through a stop sign they serve you with a ticket."
His familiar broad grin punctuated the punch line. Betty replied with a polite smile of her own. Amusing, she thought. Not particularly funny, but amusing nonetheless.
Randy changed lanes, easily challenging the grinding gears of a tanker loaded with milk, or so its sign said.
"Know what I think when I see a police car?" Janelle's voice sounded too adult for Betty; too much like a woman. Where does the time go? She wondered.
"Look at the speedometer!" Randy answered for his daughter. "That's what I do."
"Nope," the voice from the back seat disagreed. "I think of that verse in Proverbs that says we are to pray for those in authority. Every time I see a police car, I say a prayer for government people."
"I prayed for Emerson," Randy offered. "But he got reelected anyway."
"Amusing." This time she said it out loud.
"I don't wanna be a cop." Janelle's parents were glad to hear her say that. Physician, maybe, but not police officer.
"Just think of all they have to go through," she added. "Then again, I guess everyone has to go through a lot of stuff, huh?"
They considered their daughter's bit of wisdom.
"Say, Mom," Janelle continuted, "What the toughest thing you ever had to go through?"
"You." Betty didn't mean to sound so blunt.
"Thanks!" There was a tone of sarcasm.
"You were my first. I was in labor for hours."
"But you were worth it," Randy was quick to add. His daughter's youthful face glowed in the rear view mirror.
"That's not in Proverbs, is it?" Betty wondered. "It's in Romans. It think."
"So enduring labor is greater than enduring me?" Randy prodded his wife.
"Even you."
"All four of 'em?" Betty replied to Randy's question with nothng more than another smile. All four of 'em. She thought.
The van silently barrelled down the interestate, heading for the Tskowski's suburban home.
Half past midnight, Randy thought. Another police car passed. He took his daughter's advice; prayed for those in authority. And Lord, he silently added, give Betty your special grace to endure this campaign. I know she can't win, but let her represent You 'til the end.
Betty consciously folded her hands on her lap. All four of 'em she thought again. Or would it be five? She would know in less than an hour.