The Battle

2

He awoke to the droll bantering of the newscasters talking about what movie star was arrested and all other nonsense that was not really news. Looking at the clock on the mantel he decided to get up and get something to eat. Though his appetite diminished a little more every day the nearer the anniversary day came, he figured he should at least force himself to eat. It was almost 9 o’ clock which meant Joshua would be calling to check on him. Even though he hated being checked on, he liked knowing that his best friend was thinking about him. It wasn’t like they would find him in the bathtub with his wrists slit, but Joshua would call anyway.

Michael had met Joshua at Northwest Theological Seminary. In the dorms they lived next door to each other, and often spent many hours studying and “philosophizing” each other. From the beginning Michael was all about faith and didn’t put too much stock into scientific explanations for miracles. Joshua had a few of his toes dipped in the pool of science. Together they evened each other out. Joshua was a strawberry blonde whose hair in recent years has become more blonde than strawberry. His build is that of a runner. He hasn’t stopped running since being on the college track team. He has the face of a boxer, with strong chiseled facial features, and stone gray eyes.

After Seminary College they were dispatched to the same church whose flock was fleeting. Together they helped bring the Lord back to that little borough. While in the process Joshua obtained his medical degree as a Psychiatrist where he met his wife Donna. They were best men at each other’s wedding. Their lives were so perfect before that day. Looking back it seems like the perfect days were ages ago.

“Those good old days.” Michael said as he stood looking into the refrigerator for something to choke down. Grabbing the milk he fixed a bowl of rice krispies. He was on his third bite when the phone rang.

3

“Good morning Josh.” Michael said when he answered the phone.

“Good morning Michael. How did you sleep, anymore nightmares?” Joshua asked. “Slept for a while, until the dream woke me up.” Michael answered.

“Are you taking the medicine?” Joshua inquired.

“Yep, twice a day. Before breakfast and before bed. Just like the good doctor has told me to do.” Michael replied.

“Good. Would you like to come over and talk about your dream?” Joshua offered.

“It was the same dream. Nothing new, nothing different. Only the more I have it, the worse I feel. So Doc, what is your diagnosis for that?” Michael asked.

“I can make time to talk to you. Better yet come over for dinner. Donna would love to see you.” Joshua offered.

“You know being my psychiatrist for free is bad for business.” Michael jested. “Trust me, I will find a way for you to pay me for my time.” Joshua answered back.

“I’m sure it will be a steep price. Tell Donna I will be there. I’ve got some errands to do. So I will see you later. Seven ok?” Michael asked. With the invitation extended and accepted, the plans were made and Michael hung up the phone. Ready to start the day he finished his cereal and got dressed.

4

Not only was the occurrence of the dream more often as the days wound down to the anniversary, so too, were the number of people who knew who he was, and what happened giving their sympathies. He appreciated their kindness but would have rather have gone unnoticed than to be reminded of it for every errand he ran. First it was the butcher Mr. Garrison. A sweet older man with gentle green eyes, who always smelled of the butchery. Cold, old experienced hands that were rough from many years of being skilled at his craft. He kept his shop clean and that transferred to his attire so it was hard to imagine this kind man dismembering chickens, cows, and pigs by how shiny white his apron always is.

Everyone who entered his shop always left with a smile, and a good story to tell. Although his stories are slightly exaggerated. But a sweet man none the less. Mr. Garrison offered not only his sympathies but a good cut of filet mignon stakes at a severely discounted price. Trying not to accept the offer, Michael had to finally give in when Mr. Garrison started to tear up saying how Joanna always brought a smile to his counter.

The second was Mrs. Kinsey when he went to pick up the dry cleaning. She nearly burst into tears when she saw him walk through the door of her shop.

“Oh, Father Joseph I’m so sorry I don’t know how it happened. It has never happened before.” She was nearly hysterical as she lumbered around from behind the counter. Her face twisting with grief with every stifled sob. The color of her face started to match the red of the dress she was wearing. The dress hung on her accenting all of her curves. It was easy to imagine that thirty years and four children earlier she was quite a looker. But now fifty pounds overweight, it hid the succulent beauty she once had. When he was able to calm her down enough to understand what she was saying she explained the reason for her outburst.

“I’m so sorry Father with the day being so close. I didn’t want to have to cause any more pain, and like I said this has never happened to me before, and I just feel so horrible about it.”

Mrs. Kinsey muttered through the handkerchief she held to her nose.

“Mrs. Kinsey. Doris, it’s alright really.” Michael reassured her. She walked back behind the counter and found the clothing he turned in. But she also came back with two extra garments that he didn’t recognize. She laid them out on the counter. Michael felt his breath escape as if he had been punched in the stomach.

There on the counter next to his sport coat and the two shirts that Joanna loved seeing him in; was her lavender pantsuit she planned on wearing to the opening of the synagogue, and the blue dress with matching jacket that he loved. For a few moments all he could do was just look at these items on the counter. There was the elusive suit that went missing, that forced Joanna to wear the white dress. The blood spread so fast on the white fabric.

“Father Joseph, I am so sorry. I don’t know how these items were misplaced for so long, and I didn’t want to give them to you so close to – but I knew you would want them.” Mrs.

Kinsey said.

“Thank you for finding them.” He said trying so hard not to show how upset he was feeling for fear that Mrs. Kinsey would start up again. He paid the bill, gathered the items and left Mrs. Kinsey with a smile.