Читать книгу Other Seasons - Harold J. Recinos - Страница 11

the rain stopped, and the Sunday dress

kids in the building waiting it out, begin

to walk quickly in the damp air toward

church like people with unfinished

business. time in Tito’s pocket ticked

loud enough for him to clinch his hand

around a strapless watch before it got

all used up. they waited patiently for God

to speak each Sunday but only noticed the

priest a little more bald, widows dressed

in black, babies loudly crying, young girls

with scarves covering their long hair, and

most of the block praying for another Paradise.

their hearts that morning were already in the

amusement park sitting on the side of a

New Jersey cliff, inviting them on Easter to

fly beneath the clouds in wild rides to make

them hold the air. with their eyes closed in the

middle of Mass where a little bell sounds ringing

faults, they whispered to each other imagine what

it would be like to have to spend the day here and

never Palisades Amusement Park. when the tolling

bell stopped, the six friends popped their eyes open

and dashed to happiness waiting on the other side of

the church front door. despite the raggedy sermon

not one of them felt mortified, the slightest bit lost

or need for Christ’s salvation—maybe next year the

priest will convince them to forget the sinful times

at Palisades Amusement Park and see things,

otherwise.