April 29
2020
As the recessional played, and Reverend Jeff opened
the church doors before shaking hands with his parishioners,
he was surprised to discover he wasn’t the first one there.
“Mornin’ Rev!”
“Uh, good morning … Alphonse.”
Yes, it was Alphonse “Windy” Wilson, his boots cleaned and a
bulldogger Western tie on his pearl-snap shirt, grinning
broadly. He stood next to the minister as the
parishioners came past, one by one and shook Jeff’s hand.
Then they shook Windy’s hand … because there it was,
outstretched and ready for a shake.
“Bless you,” Windy said. “And a happy May Day!”
“Thank you, Windy,” said Mavis.
“And … you know why they call it May Day …?
But Mavis was already gone and Windy was already through
three more handshakes. These folks were in a hurry.
“Yo Doc … you know why they call it May
Day?” But Doc and Mrs. Doc were already halfway to
their car.
“I don’t know about you, Rev,” he
whispered, “but these folks are sure in a hurry. Fills me
with a consternation at their respirational souls.”
Reverend Jeff just nodded and kept shaking hands. Then they
were gone, and it was just Jeff and Windy at the top of the
steps.
“They sure move on out, don’t they? Beats me how you can
corral ‘em long enough to sermonize ‘em.”
“That’s easy, Windy,” Jeff said. “I shut the door.”
“Have to try that … one of these days.”
“So tell me,” said the smiling minister, “why do they call
it May Day?”
“Ah shoot! They got me so flustercated I plumb forgot.”
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Brought to you by Dogsled, A True Tale of the North,
available now at amazon.com.