The parson and Charlie Brown, his faithful canine companion, were resting. The parson sat on a rock with his back against a larger one. Charlie Brown was sprawled on the ground beside him working on a chewy while the parson munched on an apple. Wadded up beside the parson was the bag that only a few moments ago had contained a sandwich and some dry dog food.
The parson finished the apple just about the time Charlie Brown looked up as if to say, “Anything else?” He stuffed the crumbled bag and the empty water bottle into the small back pack beside him. He stood at which Charlie Brown also rose with an audible moan. The parson threw the apple core over the edge of the canyon on along which rim the two had been hiking.
The parson hadn't moved fifty yards beyond his lunch site when he saw one of the younger pastors of his area hiking toward him. The parson called out a greeting and the pair stopped, seemingly grateful for the break in their trek.
“Parson, what in the world are you doing here?” asked Robert the young pastor. “Hello, Charlie Brown,” he greeted as he knelt down to pat Charlie and pull his ears. Charlie Brown promptly sat in eager anticipation of attention.
“Just trying to stay in shape,” the parson said. “It takes a bit more effort at my age. How are you doing, Carole?” the parson asked. Carole and Robert had been married a little over two years. She was a talented writer who'd published a few fiction books under a pseudonym. The parson was one of her biggest fans, and probably the biggest in the clergy ranks as Carole didn't reveal her true occupation to many in the ministry.
“Really good, Parson. Really good. It's nice to see you again.”
Before the parson could reply, Robert asked, “Do you come up here often? This is a bit from home.”
“Oh I try to hike in one of the state parks at least once a week, Robert. It keeps the batteries recharged.”
I really wish I could do that, Parson. I don't know how you get the time.”
“I don't get the time, Robert,” the parson replied. “I make the time.”
“Thank you, Parson,” said Carole. “Are you listening to him, Robert?”
The parson picked up on a tone that indicated this hike might have been a grudging concession by Robert.
“I suspect the Parson doesn't have the pressures I have, Carole,” said Robert. “No offense, Parson, but you are serving a smaller church since your retirement.”
“Serving your church takes more time than serving mine?” the parson asked.
“Ah, Parson, I didn't mean anything by that. I know you work hard. But this appointment I have just eats up every hour in the day.”
“How so?” asked the parson.
Carole had now moved away from the parson and Robert taking Charlie Brown with her. Charlie Brown seemed to prefer her scratching and ear pulling abilities much more than Robert.
“Look, Parson, there's not only the sermons to prepare, the sick to visit, other pastoral calls, but I have to make the bulletins every week. I have to prepare all the media for the praise songs. I lead the choir practice. There's just a never ending list.”
“Who did the bulletins before you got there?” the parson asked.
“Well, a woman named Ellen Hanson did. But she seemed really relieved when I took over that for her.”
“Who led the choir before you got there?”
“Okay, Parson, I see where this is going. Look, they found out I knew a little about music and let me do it.”
“Who's going to do the bulletins when you leave?”
“Okay, I get it.”
“Who's going to lead the choir when you leave?”
Robert started to say something. The parson held up his hand. “Listen, Robert, a very, very long time ago on the day I was leaving to go to my first church, my daddy gave me the best advice I've ever received. He said to me, 'Son, you will be a success if, when you leave that church, those people say: Look what we did.'”
The parson looked down at Carole. He made a sucking sound with his lips. Charlie Brown immediately came to his side.
“When's the next novel coming out?” the parson asked.
“June,” she said.
“Same heroine?”
“Same one. Look, Parson, don't buy one this time. Let me give you one with an inscription.”
“I'll treasure that, Carole,” the parson said as the two hugged.
During the hug Carole whispered in his ear, "Thank you."
Carole leaned over to say good-bye to Charlie Brown. As she did the parson grabbed Robert's arm, pulled him a step away and said in a quiet voice, “Listen to me, Robert. Whenever you have a choice of doing the damn bulletin or taking a nap with Carole, you take a nap.”
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