James 5:16
Thursday 20th December: Jennie Moore was a pianist. Jennie played for the annual Springfield Festival, when the glitterati of the New York Opera headed North to do their stuff in the provinces.
A small troupe from the New York Metropolitan Opera House were in town for their annual performance at Springfield's Symphony Hall. This event was Angie Merill's contribution to the festival.
"He's a rat dear." Jennie's comment was vis-a-vis Father Seb.
"Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Angie said, not looking as if she meant it.
Jennie smiled her sympathy. "They are all the same." She sipped her coffee. "Men I mean."
The physical contrast between the two women could not have been greater. Whereas almost any man would find Angie attractive, Jennie was no beauty. She was short, plump, pale, with a nose to large for her face and dark brown untidy shoulder length hair. But they were close, Angie and Jennie. As close as two friends could be without being lovers. Which was what they would have been had Jennie had her way. Jennie was gay.
"They say you should forgive everyone everything." Angie brushed aside another tear. "He's joining a monastery now."
"I thought you said a seminary?"
Angie shook her head. "That was the idea but he's changed his mind. He's going to be a postulant."
"What's that?"
"The trial period when you think about being a novice."
"And what's a novice?"
"A sort of trainee monk. You're a postulant for three months or thereabouts. Then a novice for three years. Then you take your final vows."
"What's the point of that?"
Angie looked up red eyed. "No point. No point at all. He's just running away from me." And the tears came unbidden. "What did I do wrong?"
Jennie moved to put down her coffee. "All that truly matters in the end is that you loved." She hesitated a moment as Angie looked up at her. Angie knew what was coming. Jennie had tried this before. In the past Angie had rejected her kindly, and she would do so now.
But she was so very tired.
"It's all right dear," Jennie was saying. "The best is yet to come. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up. You always have me. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves."
It wasn't that Jennie was calculating. Her heart bled for her friend. But Angie was so very lovely and Jennie knew she'd never have a better chance. The girl was on the rebound and vulnerable. Jennie was completely aware of that and completely capable of taking advantage of the fact. She steeled herself for the inevitable rejection. She reached an arm round her friend's shoulders and stroked her cheek to still her crying.
She felt Angie stiffen, momentarily. "Life is too short to waste time hating anyone," she said gently.
Then it was as if for Jennie all her Christmases had come at once in one glorious epiphany as Angie Merill softened and let her friend kiss the tears away from her cheeks, their mutual vulnerability so acute that they were both trembling as Angie turned her face to allow Jennie's lips to brush hers in the first of many gentle kisses.
No comments:
Post a Comment