Anything Could Happen by B.G. Thomas

Author:B.G. Thomas [Thomas, B.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

“AUSTIN, before we eat….”

“You want to say grace?” Gram always insisted on Thanksgiving grace. It amused him because Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas were the only days dinner prayers were important to her, and he’d never really known why. They weren’t churchgoers. He used to tease her about hedging her bets.

Uncle Bodie shook his head. “No. I don’t really do that, you know? Pray? To some old man sitting on a throne up there in the clouds somewhere?”

“You don’t believe in God?” It was only a question. Austin wasn’t sure where he weighed in on the subject himself.

“I don’t believe in some Zeus- or Odin-inspired deity,” he replied. “I think there is probably ‘something,’ but I don’t think I am privy to what It is. I mean, It must transcend anything we can understand if It created the entire universe, eh? And has lived forever? I think it’s foolishness to attribute any qualities we can comprehend to such a being. And I refuse to believe It micromanages us or cares who we sleep with.”

Austin gave a nod. Uncle Bodie’s words surprised him. His uncle didn’t talk about things like the nature of God. How did he respond to such words?

“But I do believe It responds, especially to gratitude. So, before we eat, let’s say—or I will, anyway—what I am grateful for. Will you indulge me?”

“Sure,” Austin said. In fact he was pretty sure he would indulge his uncle in anything.

“All right, then.” His uncle smiled. “First and foremost, I am grateful for you. I am thankful for your presence and your company. I was getting quite lonely, despite my dear little Lucille.”

Lucille, curled up on a pillow not far away, perked up her ears at hearing her name. She was keeping half an eye on what they were doing and looking for any dropped morsels of food.

“I needed someone who answered back when I spoke—in human words, that is. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived with anyone.”

Austin felt his heart expand. Who would have known this old man could move him so deeply? Now and so many times since he’d moved in with his uncle. How had someone become so important to him so quickly? A few weeks ago, he had hardly known the man, hadn’t seen him in a decade. And now? Uncle Bodie was a friend. A man who had given him freedom. “I don’t know what to say….”

“Don’t say anything. That’s not what this is about. This isn’t about you needing to thank me. This is about me thanking you. This is about me being thankful for you.”

“Oh,” Austin said quietly, not having a clue what else there was to say.

“Austin, I am thankful for your service. I am grateful for your youth—for reminding me that life goes on and that new generations will come, are coming, and it’s getting better. The world is becoming a better place despite the foolishness of some. I look at you and see a young gay man who is stepping

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