“I pray when I am having trouble deciding
about stuff,” Jenny says matter-of-factly as she sticks a baby
tomato on her fork.
“I did
that. But, I still have to decide.”
Pray,
shmay, hello, It’s two-way.
Jenny tries a different track, “How many
ingredients do you have in this salad?”
“About
seven. Maybe six.” Allen knows he is not going to mention Shirley. “I think I’m in a rut. I live in this big old family house, by
myself—now that my sister has moved out. I go to work every day, the same
work, year after year….”
“And?”
“Now I have
a chance to change things up a little. I think I’m stalling. Maybe I don’t like change.”
They each take another bite of salad. “You still haven’t really told me
anything about what you are looking at,” Jenny says.
“For one,
the house. Melanie wants her money out of the house. She has every right to
that. On the other hand, I’m her big brother and I’m not too sure she would be all
that wise with her money especially looking at the church she is attending. I don’t trust that place.”
“A church?
You don’t trust a church?”
“Maybe I’m
off, but they seem to be a lot about giving money and as far as I can see they
don’t have any causes except themselves.”
“Have you
been there?”
“Once.”
“I see.”
“So, do I
buy her out, sell the house, fix up the house or what? Do I buy a
condo? Should I be looking for someone to share my life with? I always thought
I would have a wife and kids. I’m 37 now and the clock is ticking.”
“Sounds
like mid-life crisis.”
These
people, they have a label for everything. When they don’t live to their full
potential, of course they get bored.
“I could
invest in Nick’s gold mine and use the money to start my own business.”
“Your own
business?”
“Just a
thought.”
The main
course comes. They eat in silence. “I like this. Thanks so much,” Jenny says.
“I haven’t been out much lately, since I broke up with my boyfriend.”
“I didn’t
realize….”
“Let’s just
say he was a jerk. I found out he was cheating on
me—a lot.”
“I’m sorry.
You never said anything.”
“I didn’t
want to bother you with my personal stuff.”
As they
walk to their cars back at the office, Allen thanks Jenny for listening.
“Sorry, I
wasn’t able to help more.”
“It was
just good to get it out.”
Man,
your life could be so much more exciting. Please God give me a better
assignment next time.
Mork, report to the throne room.
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