The parson woke early and, after loading Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion, in the back seat, headed south to the Really, Really Big City. The incoming Council on Ministries of his church would soon be working out details on the coming year. A passel of denominational programming calendars would be needed. Thus, he headed toward the Really, Really Big City and the denominational book store.
A stop at the QuikTrip, America's exceptional gas and convenience store, allowed the parson his morning exercise as he walked Charlie Brown around the half mile circumference of the facility. He placed Charlie Brown back in the car, headed inside to acquire his daily dose of cappuccino, returned to the car and the two headed down the interstate.
Being the first customer of the day, the parson got the royal treatment. The manager pointed out the various sales they had going with one shelf full of books for one dollar. After picking up his supply of calendars the parson wandered about the store looking at the purchase opportunities. It took only a few minutes to ascertain why the dollar books were being sold at that price. Back in the corner with the other sale books, the parson did find a few bargains and placed them in the stack with the church supplies. He took a few moments to walk the aisles but paused only to contemplate the placement of a book about Sarah Palin next to a book about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Unable to unravel the logic he headed to the checkout.
The parson let Charlie Brown out to walk about and lay claim to any shrubs that interested him. None did; no more than twenty feet from the car he turned and walked back, jumped in and plopped down. The trip home was uneventful. The miles clicked off in a steady cadence, one mile flowing into the other to the rhythms of NPR's Performance Today. Two-thirds the way home the parson switched the station to WUTC, NPR in Chattanooga, and the eclectic music selected by Cleveland Carlson.
The gas gauge was flirting with empty as the parson and Charlie Brown approached again the Quik Trip exit. He pulled off and headed to the pump. While filling the tank, the parson was hailed by the man at the opposite pump.
“Hey, fellow,” he said as he pointed toward Charlie Brown sitting in the back seat, “what kind of dog is that?”
“He's a Catahoula Leopard Dog,” the parson informed him. “His name is Charlie Brown.”
“My goodness, that's a really fine looking animal. Whew, he's got my dog beat. My dog's named “Shirley,” she's part Pekingese and part Basset Hound. I've got to tell you she's a strange looking dog. But me and Mildred love her. We just couldn't get along without her. We've been married for about thirty years now and she's only the second dog we've had. The first was a Boxer, but that dog didn't have the personality that Shirley had. I mean, you've got a fine dog there, but Shirley, while she cain't hold a candle to that dog of yours, well, me and Mildred think she's just fine cause she's just part of the family. Mildred and I met when I got back from serving in the United States Navy. I was on a carrier. Sailed all over the world, I want to tell you. Anyway, when we got back my sister, Helen, she's the baby of the family, she introduced me and Mildred and wouldn't you know it we just fell in love and got married. We had three kids, but they are all grown now. The youngest, he's in the Navy himself. And he's sailing on the USS Abraham Lincoln, a carrier man just like his old man. So anyway the nest is empty and all Mildred and I have is Shirley. She's good company; but, like I say, she's not the kind of dog your dog is. Shirley's a nurse; well, she's not a registered nurse. She's a LPN, but she's real good at her job. I tell you there have been all kinds of times when I was under the weather and Shirley got me back on my feet just as quick as a thief running when he hears a gun cocking. Yeah, she's really good. Mildred's not working in the hospital anymore, though. She kind of wanted to get off her feet a bit. She's got some kind of problem that makes her ankle swell if she's on those hard hospital floors too long. So she's become a home nurse; you know, she goes to the sick person's house and stays with them during the day. She meets lots of interesting people. And I have to tell you she is pretty popular with the families. Shirley ain't never met a stranger. Our preacher made her the greeter at the church because she's so friendly with everyone. We go to the Church of the Gathered down on Highway 46. I'm sure you've heard of it. Brother Horace Restive is the pastor there. Whewee, can that man preach! You should come and visit with us some time. Well, anyway, it was nice to talk with you. Say, do you think I could pet that fine dog of yours?
“Sure,” said the parson. He stepped back. The man reached in the window. Charlie Brown extended his head. The man petted him and said, “Hello, Charlie Brown.
“Well, I've got to go now,” he said. “I don't know if I told you are not, but I'm headed over to Owens Brick Yard. I hear they're hiring some part time people and I thought I'd see if I could get on. I don't really need the extra work but we can always find a way to spend the money. Christmas is coming us and with those grandkids we'll sure enough be able to spend it. Oh, my goodness, look at the time. I've got to hurry over to the brick yard. Sorry, to rush off like this. It was nice talking with you.”
The parson watched him drive away. He got in the car and pulled away from the pump to park at the front of the store in case another needed the spot to fill up. As he walked to the door Helen Sparks, a member of his church was coming out.
“Parson, I saw you talking to Fred Peavy; I didn't know you knew Fred.”
“I do now,” said the parson.
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