Amber Kizer by Meridian

Author:Meridian
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-01-30T21:06:20+00:00

Chapter 18

Shouts and the clang of pots and pans woke me with a jerk. I lay in bed, trying to place the voices in the house. Auntie yelled and Tens replied in a low rumble. I slipped out of bed, realizing I felt stronger than I had in years. Maybe ever. I had no pain, no stiffness.

I heard glass breaking as I hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. “What’s going on?”

Auntie’s cheeks were flushed. “This, this filthy, disgusting lie.” She threw the town newspaper on the table and started pacing. “I knew he wouldn’t let well enough alone, but this is too much.” A substantial cough wracked her tiny frame. I poured a glass of water for her while Tens rubbed her back. She sat and caught her breath.

“Who lied?” I said, reaching for the paper.

“Mr. Google Reverend.”

“I think you mean Internet,” Tens inserted, sipping coffee from a mug that held a gallon if not more.

“Whatever. He sure as bat crap didn’t study theology to get his credentials.”’ She pointed at Tens as if she didn’t like his correction. He didn’t seem shaken to see her so worked up.

“What did he say?” I asked. Custos padded over and put her head in my lap with a whine. I stroked her ears, enjoying the texture, so soft. She made me think of Sammy, who demanded attention and touch at every opportunity.

“He instructed his twelve lackeys to write and publish garbage. Read it! Read that filth! Read it out loud. Even. Go on.” She shooed me until I picked up the newspaper.

OUTSIDERS BEAR GIFTS OF SIN, GREED, AND SLOTH

WRITTEN BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHURCH OF FORGING PURITY

We all know the Christmas story. The three wise men who bring gifts to the Christ child. We know Mary and Joseph sought refuge in a town not unlike ours, and that the miracle of Christ’s birth was witnessed by simple folks like us.

But the world is changing, and no longer is our town the pure American classic that it was for so many years.

We have been invaded by the lax work ethic of the consumer. We don’t have to tell you, our neighbors, how badly the closing of our town’s largest employer, Furnace Steel Manufacturing, and the closing of the Cristos coal fields have affected our town. You have felt that pain personally. Hardworking, God-fearing members of this congregation have been shamed into standing in line at the food bank. But have you stopped to think why they were closed? Because of profit margins; and numbers. Human beings are not numbers and God does not condone His children suffering in vain. And this is vanity.

This week we lost a precious soul to an outsider’s illegal animal trap. An outsider found our darling, but we can’t help but wonder —if she’d been rescued by a member of this congregation, would she still be with us today? What took so long to rescue the child? Who coerced her to wander so far a field?

The wolves have begun attacking our cattle at God’s insistence.

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