Testimonies

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AGNOSTIC VIOLINIST: PART ONE
AUTHORED BY JOSPREL (JOSEPH PERRELLO)
[email protected]
[email protected]

BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS IN THE LIVES OF JOSPREL'S PARENTS.

The agnostic violinist claimed no one could know a God existed; then God revealed Himself to him.


THE AGNOSTIC VIOLINIST
by
Josprel

Part One of Three

Paul and Broszi grew up like brothers. Their Italian immigrant parents met at Ellis Island and settled almost next door to each other. Shortly thereafter, their sons were born, only two days apart. Like identical twins, the boys' lives were intricately intertwined. Given the opportunity to study music, Paul and Broszi developed into superb musicians. Broszi, a master drummer, referred to himself as a "percussionist." Paul, a violin virtuoso, often boasted that no one could "percuss like Broz." On the other hand, the percussionist claimed that Paul "invented the string." Since their early youth, Broszi continuously prodded Paul to form an orchestra.

"I don't have the patience to lead one, Paul, but you do. I'll be your percussionist, and I'll help any other way I can."

Finally, three years ago, The Paul Perrello Orchestra was organized. Orchestras usually employed "wind" leads, but Paul's violin led his group. The orchestra's sound instantly captivated ethnic Italians, expanding to general audiences until it was in popular demand throughout several states, and much of nearby Canada.

Though he never used the term, the violinist was an agnostic. He claimed no one could know that a God existed. He even made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent his wife, Sara, from attending church. Only through her perseverance was their infant son, Joseph, christened.

Broszi, however, attended church. An irrepressible jokester, he often kidded his friend about his anti-religious views. It was a liberty Paul accorded only to Broszi. That is, until that altercation about orchestra affairs when, in exasperation, the percussionist branded him a stubborn heathen, whom he hoped would burn in hell.

Broszi had never seen the slim, five-foot-seven, normally mild-mannered, violinist so livid. Fulminating at the burly, six-foot-three Broszi, he erupted!

"You impious hypocrite; your lucky we're friends! You're worst than any heathen! Your act holy in church, but I see what you do on the outside. If Grace knew what you do when we're out of town, you wouldn't have a family left. If there's a God, He wouldn't let you make such a fool out of Him, the way you do. If one does exist, you'd be in your grave right now. He would have struck you dead a long time ago!

"I'll tell you this, you big fake, if I was sure that there is a God, I would serve Him the right way, not like you pretend to do." Turning to leave, he added, "Don't ever mention religion to me again! Never! Is that clear!?" Then he stalked away.

Taken aback, Broszi feared he had destroyed their friendship. He and Paul had argued before, but never like this. They were just brotherly spats. And Paul had never reacted this way; eyes blazing, fists clenched and voice ominous.

Reflecting on the argument, Broszi realized Paul's charges were true. Out of town with the orchestra, he partied excessively, gambled, and was not above easy flirtations, things his wife, Grace, didn't know.

A good family man, Paul did none of these things. Moreover, he always was ready to help others. It was a matter of honor for him never to renege on his word, and his friends claimed that Paul's word was like "money in the bank."

Broszi apologized almost immediately, but for weeks afterward, they conversed only when it was unavoidable. Eventually, the gulf narrowed and then closed. The old camaraderie resurfaced, with their mutual concern for each another. And it was this concern over the percussionist's two inexplicable absences from rehearsals that now brought Paul to Broszi's door.

CONTINUED IN PARTS TWO AND THREE

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