Chapter 7

Saturday morning was cold but clear when I picked up Karen and Rob. Friday’s snow flurries had not accumulated, and I knew Preacher John would be at his usual place in Washington Square. I played catch with the kids between the fountain and the Arch while I waited for John.
    When he finished his noontime preaching, John walked over and I introduced him to Rob and Karen. I handed the ball to Rob. “Play nice with your sister while I talk to Mr. Clay.”
    “Half-sister,” Rob said.
    John and I took a seat on a nearby bench where I could keep an eye on the kids.
    “Paul, I thought we weren’t going to have lunch until Monday.”
    “I need to ask a favor, John. Ben and I host a discussion meeting, and I would like you to join us this month.”
    “No, thanks. I don’t do parlor discussions.”
    “This one is different, John. We will discuss my idea of how all events can occur at once.”
    “Only Jesus knows that.”
    “If he knows so can anyone. The key is balance. If everything is in harmony with everything else, past and future disappear. I got the idea from you the other day when you said there were two worlds.”
    John said, “The Kingdom of God and Adam’s kingdom are not equal. Therefore, they cannot be in balance.”
    “Differences of opinion make for a lively discussion, John. Please share your thoughts with us Monday evening.”
    “Sorry, Paul, I have no interest in an academic discussion of truths that I, and everyone else, learn from within.”
    “I’m inviting my friend, Michael Chen, who is a Jesuit, and my sister, Elaine, who is a theoretical physicist. Ben has invited the chair of the World Studies Department at the university. Think of it as your chance to preach to a group very different from your street congregation.”
    “No, I wouldn’t be comfortable. If they want me, they can join me here in Washington Square.”
    I was striking out. I tried to think of some way to get John to agree to come as I watched Rob and Karen run toward us from the fountain.
    “Ask him, Karen.” Rob said.
    “Can we go to lunch now, Daddy?”
    “In a minute, sweetie.”
    “Dad, I’m starved,” Rob said.
    “Rob, I’m talking to Mr. Clay.”
    Karen said, “Daddy, you said his name is Preacher John.”
    “People call me that,” John said.
    Karen frowned, “But Daddy just called you Mr. Clay.”
    “My real name is John Clay. Preacher John is a nickname.”
    “Yeah, Karen, like your nickname is twerp.”
    “Rob! You and Karen play ball for a few more minutes.”
    “I roll the ball to her and she still can’t catch it.”
    “My hands are cold, Daddy.”
    “Okay, then make up a story about someone you see by the fountain and tell it to me when I’m finished talking to Mr. Clay”
    “Aw, Dad!”
    “This is important to me, Rob.”
    “C’mon, Karen,” Rob said, pulling her by the sleeve.
I turned to John. “Remember the other day when we talked about no second chance? You asked me why it was so important to me all of a sudden…”
    “…And you wouldn’t tell me.”
    “I couldn’t tell you because it seemed crazy. I had been in Saint Matthew’s and thought I heard you call me from the back of the church except it wasn’t you, it was…”
    “…Jesus.”
    “I don’t know what happened but it’s driving me crazy. I need to talk about it, but I can’t. Not directly. I was hoping to use this idea of balance to bring it up indirectly at the discussion group. This is really important to me, and I need you there for moral support, John.”
    He looked at me for a long moment. “What time Monday evening?”
    “I’ll stop by your place about eight o’clock.”

I went to the fountain and sat on the top tier between Karen and Rob. “Did you make up a story about somebody?”
    Rob said, “Yeah, that guy over there, the one drinking whiskey out of the bottle hidden in a paper bag.”
    “He’s the same one who started the trouble with the singers on Monday. What’s his story?”
“He quit his job and left his wife and kids. Now he’s homeless and gets drunk on cheap wine he buys with the change he bums off the tourists.”
    “Humm, did he have two children?”
    “Yeah, a boy and a girl. The boy was older, about my age, and the girl was little like Karen.”
    I fought to control my emotions. “That’s quite a story.”
    “He left home because he didn’t love his kids.”
    Karen said, “Do you love us, Daddy?”
    I hugged her. “Yes, sweetie, I do, very much.”
    Karen said, “Then why did you leave home?”
    Rob said, “Was it something I did? I promise to be good to Karen and never call her twerp again. I mean it this time.”
    “It isn’t you. Either of you. It’s me. I’m the problem.”
    Rob said, “Just tell Mom you’re sorry.”
    Karen said, “Then you can stay with us when you take us home.”
    “It’s not that simple.”
    “Will we ever see you again?” Karen said.
    “Yes, but not every day…” The words caught in my throat.

Chapter 7 continued