1st Epilogue: Church function

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Checks were bouncing. Mary Louise was mysteriously gone (new start in Las Vegas, they said). Absconded with funds not hers? We're talking plain thievery. How sad. Church membership somewhat dropping. The interim rector a mild bashful sort, out of his depth in a shallow pool. Still the church moved ahead through time, it persisted, it was like a barge, sometimes bumping the side of the canal, yes. But standing still was no option at all.

Elise, sitting in a folding chair at the church function, watched the early refreshments (out of her own purse) run out. Why aren't you upset and concerned about the money, Elise? I don't know, I just rarely am. Someone stole church funds but a church is more than its funds. She felt too heavy to move around but hardly wanted to. Kindly folk shifted through the place. It was odd, everyone always made fun of a church. That was because people's goodness, or at least their aspiration to be good, stood so exposed in a church. Being laughed at can be really not so bad.

Sometimes I see someone looking at me in church who is thinking I'm a good person and then I try to be what they see against my basic evil nature, which of course wishes to be otherwise. But momentarily at least, I am good. So, over all, the effect of this place on me is good.

After the minister's wandering grace the people all began eating the main course. A young woman stuck her head into the room and backed out, then came all the way in. Then turned back to the door and talked through it to someone one couldn't see. Something in Elise's heart began to tingle like the music in "Shaker Loops". Her thoughts started to flutter and she put her plate down.

Then the young woman came back into the room leading a gloomy stranger behind her and the stranger was somehow Don. Elise's husband stood up and started to approach, then became still. They all were still really. Even the little ones at their special table. Still. For a moment the room was as absorbent and tender as a paper towel.

Nobody spoke. The stranger moved toward Elise through recognition that was baffled. Because he was different. Oh Don.

Are you more of a Christian? Less of a Christian? Out of the fold? Huddling in some place we can't follow?

Oh, my heart is hurting for joy, Elise said. Oh Don. Oh Don.

*

We brought him back, the young lady sad, the elfin creature, the little elf, indeed Elf. Dave and myself but mostly Dave really. We did bring him back.

But Dave got lost on the way. We don't know where Dave is, we've lost track of him. We had only this partial success, as you see.

Oh Don! Sweet child, you sweet child (Elise said).

[So ends the first epilogue. The second epilogue immediately follows.]

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