Short Stories

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Sunday night in the City

At the church meeting people prayed, then shared coffee with the homeless –alfresco style. The “after church” coffee, cold drinks, pikelets and scones all a warm treat to the people that made up the street. The inner city homeless knew it was on, and headed to the well known city street; somehow all belonged.

I was a “guest” there on that the night, I wandered the isles to meet and greet before “church” began. Old John was there, I shook his hand. He said “hello”. His five o’clock shadow represented a week’s growth, or more. His toothless mouth gave me the grin, he could see I was a new chum, not settled in. John told me he came to church most nights, the coffee is good but the milk’s not always fresh. Then came his tip, don’t fill up on the cake, they bring out pizza and all kinds of stuff. “ait around” he said with a wink and a smile.

Across the road sat a finely built young man. The styled moustache, shaped whiskers and handsome features showed a level of grooming uncommon on an old bus seat. Astute and careful with what he said. Indigenous. Respect was tenacious in his manner.

Church was long over for the day, the fancy clothes and polished cars had deserted inner city streets. Nearby sat another guy; they were there together, yet completely alone. He started talking about his Dad, last heard of in Suva –Fiji. “He’s over 6’ tall and strong, but he’s a woman basher”.

“I’ve never met him. Mum left him before I was born. I’m a 19year old fella, but I’ve never met my father. There’s never been a man around to show me, teach me, what it means to be a good man. I miss him, I don’t know him, but I miss him.”

His eyes turned red as tears seeped out; this was deeply personal.
It deserved respect and silence.
He sat and wept.
I prayed.
Lord.


"FATHER, whose everlasting love Thy only Son for sinners gave,
Whose grace to all did freely move, and sent him down the world to save;
Help us thy mercy to extol, immense, unfathomed, unconfined;
To praise the Lamb who died for all, the general Saviour of mankind."
Charles Wesley

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