the publicans
Two old men. A diner near the Tug River Valley. One wears a red face. He calls his friend Plez.
Plez: The General’s a pastor now.
Red: I reckon?
Plez: Yup. Says God spoke to him. Set him on his course.
They figure on it. For a while.
Plez: But we don’t know. We don’t know if He really did. Or if the General just thought it, or wished it, or made it up to suit him.
Red: The Lord can speak to a man.
Plez: But this ain’t a wise man and it ain’t wise things he’s saying. And the Lord don’t speak foolishness. He’s been around too long for that.
They shake their heads and drink their coffee and think about the man who just took up God; but took Him up better than most.
Plez: I told him I’m a publican – that’s what they called sinners in the olden days.
Red: The Lord ate with them.
Plez: Yes sir.
Red: I’d rather be a sinner beside Jesus than all right on my own. Any time.
Plez: He’s all ornery ’bout me goin’ fishin on Sundays. I told him I ain’t heard a man yet went to Hell for fishin.
Red: If the Lord ain’t in the good earth, where’s he at?
Plez: He’s behind that pulpit pointing his finger and tellin’ people the devil’s holdin’ onto ’em.
Red: Not My Lord, friend. Not My Lord.
They finish their coffee and talk about the weather.
lovely writing.
you’re very talented. I can relate to a lot of these stories…Alabama…not W VA. 🙂
Great dialogue.
Buff,
Lot going on here as usual. I like these two curmudgeons passing on news and making a distinction between their faith and that of a fundamentlist. And because they’re not fundamentalist having made their views clear they turn to drinking coffee and talking about the weather. Subtly put B, subtly put. Agree with Molly, lovely writing, full of flavour and depth.
Love it, as per usual. I can almost hear them, really, though I’m probably substituting the voices of my neighbors
Thanks Buffy. Another full hearted exchange.
Heyyy, I’ve been here before…a long time ago…maybe via Belle?
I read a previous post of yours – I spent Christmas on the Italian Riviera, it was lovely, so hopefully you can go soon. 🙂
that is awesome!!!
Hi Buffy! Seems talking over coffee is at least universal. 😉
Btw, thanks for commenting on my blog. 🙂
Ultimately it always comes back to the weather 😉
Naming characters is one of the hardest things. Your names are fantastic.
Buffy, you write wonderfully!
I love it… Love it love it love it. Thank you!
Dont you just love the conversations that come from a cup of coffee? But what I dont get is…what’s a publican?
A publican was a tax collector of sorts who worked for the Roman Empire during biblical days. Generally considered ‘unsavory’, horrible people.
I heard an old man say once that ‘publicans’ were what they use to call sinners. It wasn’t…not in the strictest sense..but I thought it had a nice ring to it.
Moods of yesteryear
like it!
You are inspiring. Love the layers.