When Love Calls You Home, Part 16
by Kandy Williams

By the end of the afternoon, the church looked like a new building. All the cleaning had also captured the attention of many townsfolk, who were curious what all the fuss was about. Pastor Tom tried to speak to as many of the onlookers as he could; he took the opportunity to introduce himself and to invite people to tomorrow’s service. Sometimes, his enthusiasm was contagious and people could hardly wait till morning, and others merely walked away as though they’d been offended. Regardless, prayers of thanksgiving constantly escaped Tom Gaines, as he was truly grateful for the change inside him that God had inspired. He finally felt as though he was stepping into the role that God had called him to fulfill. And all the while, Constance was beaming like the noonday sun.

Cody, who’d been there all along with his mother and sisters, even noticed a remarkable change within himself that day. It was one of the few times that he had managed to work well with peers his own age, and that included Wesley Murphy, the boy he’d long been jealous of. And while there’d been plenty of times throughout the day that Cody had caught sight of Wes and his pa horsing around together, he never once felt that old, ugly green monster rise up within him. Instead, his spirit stirred within him, offering prayers of thanks for his own pa, and the day they’d be reunited for good, when that spell of greed would be broken forever, and his pa’s concern would be for the welfare of his own family.

“Ma’s prayers must be workin’ on me,” Cody said to himself as he shook his head. Like Buck and Rowdy, he too had grown a soft spot in his heart for God, though he wouldn’t readily admit to it.

As the parishioners enjoyed fellowship and lemonade, Pastor Tom saw Gus, the man labeled as the town drunk, stumbling their way. He grabbed a fresh glass and greeted Gus with it.

“Howdy, Gus,” Tom said. “It’s a fine day for a cold glass of lemonade,” he remarked as he offered it to him.

“No thanks preacher. I never touch the hard stuff,” Gus said with a boisterous laugh.

Tom was a bit surprised; he handed the glass off to a youngster. Unsure of what to say next, he glanced at his wife, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement.

“So how have things been for you?”

Unfortunately, that was obvious. Gus was wearing every shirt he owned, which amounted to three, a weathered overcoat, dirty boots and a hat that had almost seen its last day. His beard was full and shaggy; his complexion appeared darker than it actually was, thanks to all of the dust and grime his face had accumulated. He was also adorned with his favorite accessory, a bottle of whiskey snuggled in a paper bag. At one time, Gus had been a respected member of the community who worked hard and supported his family, just like everybody else. But now it was rumored that his bed was wherever he passed out for the night.

“Not so bad preacher. I been getting along right well. You having another church social today?”

“Sort of. We thought it was high time we gave this place the once over. We’d like to see some changes ‘round here.” At the moment, Tom’s appearance wasn’t anything to brag about: his clothes were stained with sweat, his hair was a bit unruly, and his hands were filthy.

“Changes, hu?”

“I’d like for you to get cleaned up a bit and come join us for service tomorrow mornin’.”

“What for?” snapped Gus.

“Like I said, it’s time for some changes. What good’s it gonna do you to keep livin’ the way you are, Gus? It’s time you stopped feelin’ sorry for yourself. We want you to come and be part of our church family.”

“I ain’t got no family, not after the fever done hit my house. Took ‘em all but me.” Gus suddenly seemed to be drifting into a stupor of grief.

“Yes, Gus, I know, I was there, remember?” Tom held Gus by the shoulders, making him look directly at him. All Gus could do was nod. “I know how hard that was on you, Gus. But we’ve all seen hard times, we’ve all had our cup of sorrow, but it’s been three years Gus; it’s time to pull yourself together and move on. Think of your wife. Now Louise wouldn’t want you to just give up like this; she’d want you to go on and make her and the kids proud.”

“I ain’t got a family no more,” said Gus, as though it was suddenly a heartbreaking revelation to him.

“We want you to be part of our family, the church. Come to service tomorrow, Gus, even if you ain’t got a clean shirt or a bar of soap to your name. Just come and listen for a while.” Tom spoke softly, with a gentle sincerity, but his words seemed to have no affect on the lonely man.

Tom let go of Gus, and Gus looked at the pastor and nodded again, as if to say he’d think about it, but Tom wondered if Gus was too grief-stricken—or too drunk—to understand. As Gus wandered off, Constance joined her husband.

“I’m proud of you, preacher,” she said in his ear.

“For what?”

“For being a doer of the Word; for opening the door for him by asking him to church.”

“It’s just like Jesus said, well folks ain’t in need of a doctor, it’s the sick, and sinners are the ones in need of a savior. Gus needs saving, and Jesus is the only one who can do it.” They watched Gus stagger along the boardwalk, and couldn’t deny feeling helpless.

“Do you think he’ll come tomorrow?” Constance said.

“I don’t know, but I guess there’s always a chance.”

©2004 StoriesByEmail.com

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