Empty pews

 Silence filled the church, empty pews still warm from the last mass. I remained behind until all the shuffling of feet grew silent and the heavy wooden doors were shut. An altar boy silently moved forward with his duty’s, snuffing out candles, wiping the alter of any spilled wine his starched robe swishing as he moved out of sight into a back room with a name that escapes me, where he would take off the swishing robe and hang it neatly in the closet to be ready for the noon mass. Hearing the back door close I knew now I was alone with God. I bowed my head but briefly as I realized I must look god in the eyes if I was to be heard. A giant cross filled the wall behind the altar, Jesus nailed to it wearing the crown of thorns, blood spilling from his wounds. I stared at that cross and prayed until I heard the shuffling of feet and the swishing of the altar boys robe as he made his rounds lighting candles. He caught my glance and smiled maybe he thought he knew me? Maybe he knew of me? Or maybe he just wanted me to know that sitting there for hours wasn’t that uncommon, especially for those of us in uniform…….

M.O.