5. Ewen
EWEN
“Look what the cat dragged back to B-town!” a smiling Caleb says as he walks into the church. A smile curves my lips. “You look good.”
He gives me a giant bear hug, complete with the stupid back slaps. I’ll never tell him I don’t like that part. It’s just a thing he does, and I accept Caleb for everything he is. He’s my best friend.
Caleb is an ER doctor and rarely has time to escape so whenever he can, we hang out.
Even if it’s just him helping around the parish, he’s always all smiles.
He’s a jokester but also the most serious person I know.
You have to be to do what he does. High pressure situations are where Caleb thrives.
It’s the basic day to day that bores him. He’s always keeping himself busy.
“You’re early,” I point out. “I wasn’t expecting you for another hour.”
“Yeah, the department head wanted to have a glory day so he cut me early. I didn’t want to go home quite yet. Trish is still moving out her stuff, and shit is awkward.” He shrugs and looks around at the old stained glass.
Caleb and Trish got married shortly after we graduated, but after a couple years of him always working, she decided Caleb wasn’t who she wanted to grow old with. I was crushed for him. His heart was more into his job of saving lives. It takes a strong relationship to weather that.
“Are you sure you’re okay? We can talk about it, pray, or just anything to get your mind off of it.”
“Nah, my dude. Helping you here and just being with my favorite priest will help. I promise I’m okay.
Trish and I grew apart as people early on.
I think we kept it going because of those old feelings.
We fell out of love a while ago. I don’t want to be the cause of her not finding who she’s meant to be with. ”
He nudges my shoulder, changing the direction of our conversation. “Enough about me, tell me how great your life is. How’s being the priest of the very church you loved in college panning out?” The smile he gives is genuine.
I grin and look around. He’s right, I loved this parish then and I love it even more now. “It’s amazing. I knew God had a plan for me, and it led me to where I feel the most at ease. I love the community and giving back. I feel so light during Mass, I could be a feather floating away.”
“Man, I could never do this.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
He waves his hand toward the space surrounding us. “This. Being in a creepy church all the time. Reading, teaching, everything revolving around the Bible and God.”
“You save lives. See people bleeding and dying, yet an old church is a space you couldn’t handle?”
His eyes dart around. “I’m not a religious person. I don’t even know if I believe in God. I believe in evolution and science. But I know you believe and I always support you.”
“God has given us everything. He gave us His only son to absolve us of our sins. He knows some don’t believe, but He believes in you.”
“Tomato, potato, whatever.” He laughs at his own joke. “Let’s get things done. I’m here to be your work horse.”
We move to the side entrance and head toward the large kitchen where we prep the food that we hand out.
The nuns do all the cooking. I’ve tried helping but they banned me after burning one thing.
Clearly God didn’t think cooking was a valuable thing for me to do, which is fine by me. No one can excel at everything.
As we enter, I announce our presence. “Hello sisters. We have an extra hand today.” I motion to Caleb. “This is Dr. Caleb Henderson, and he has offered up his time to be here with us.”
Caleb’s cheesy grin pops. “Use me however you see fit.”
A few of the younger nuns chuckle at his comment, but not Mother Helen. I don’t think I’ve seen her smile since I met her.
“We greatly appreciate all the help we can get.” Helen comes over and pats his arm. “Please just tell me you are more adept in the kitchen than our father here. He’s officially not allowed to cook.”
Wait, did she just make a joke?
His big laugh echoes around the kitchen. “Ha. Yes, I can actually cook. Who did you think kept him alive during college?” He winks. “If I hadn’t become a doctor, I probably would have become a chef.”
Lies. All lies. I know him very well. He never had a backup plan.
Being a doctor was all he ever wanted. I know it came from watching his grandma get sick and feeling like nobody cared.
That’s what pushed him to be the best in his field and to give everyone his all.
He never wanted anyone else to experience what they went through.
A jab to my ribs brings me back to the conversation.
I’ve been known to zone out on occasion. Not because of boredom or rudeness, my mind just likes to reminisce. And it isn’t always the best memories that pop up.
“I’m sorry sisters. How can I be of service that doesn’t involve food?”
Sister Carrie points toward the sink. “You could do the dishes.”
I nod. “On it.”
Caleb and the nuns prep and cook, getting as much food ready as they can manage. I quickly finish with the dishes. There will be more once they’re finished, and I’ll help with those later.
Clearly not being of much help in here, I head to the main church. I grab a seat in a pew a few from the front. I let my gaze roam like I used to back in college, taking in the old architecture and looking at it all with wonder in my eyes.
Thank you God for gracing me with the task of leading this parish and for life itself.
I sit there until one of the nuns comes to get me. It’s time to feed the community. I can come back later and reflect once I’m alone.