Johnny was moved. The kid’s little prayer had touched him in the very place Entragian had tried and failed to reach.
David put the bag and the box of crackers down between his sneakers. Then he closed his eyes and put his hands together again before his face, finger to finger. Johnny was struck by the kid’s lack of pretension. There was a simplicity about the gesture that had been honed by use into beauty.
“God, please bless this food we are about to eat,” David began.
“Yeah, what there is of it,” Cynthia said, and immediately looked sorry that she had spoken. David didn’t seem to mind, though; might not have even heard her.
“Bless our fellowship, take care of us, and deliver us from evil. Please take care of my mom, too, if it’s your will.” He paused, then said in a lower voice: “It’s probably not, but please, if it’s your will. Jesus’ sake, amen.” He opened his eyes again.
Johnny was moved. The kid’s little prayer had touched him in the very place Entragian had tried and failed to reach.
Sure it did. Because he believes it. In his own humble way, this kid makes Pope John Paul in his fancy clothes and Las Vegas hat look like an Easter-and-Christmas Christian.
