Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Banquet - deadline 8-16-12 10 am NY time (08/09/12)
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TITLE: Invitation | Previous Challenge Entry
By Catrina Bradley
08/16/12 -
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"I'll be hosting a banquet soon," he'd said, "and it would bring me great pleasure if you would be my guest. I have a place at my table reserved for you." His chocolaty eyes had melted her insides, and she was assured of his sincerity.
When she'd said yes, joy lit up his face, and he drew a folded garment from his coat. "My gift to you," he'd said, and let the small bundle unfurl to the ground in a shimmering cloud of pure white. "I pray you'll wear it to the banquet." He'd slipped the cloak over Lydia's shoulders, and she'd felt lighter, as if the weightless cloth was lifting her. She'd looked into his face and was ready to follow him anywhere.
"Soon," he said, "I'll be back to collect you. I can't say exactly when, but I hope you'll wait."
In the decades since his visit, Lydia had fallen about as far as a person could fall. Her descent from the suburbs to the streets was slow but steady, and now the only thing that remained of that giddy young lady with fanciful hopes and naive beliefs was her precious gift from the Big Guy.
She ran her hand over the now dingy and stained cloak, its shimmer worn dull from years of serving as her backpack and grocery sack. It had kept her warm on many cold nights and cushioned her head on warm ones. She had misused it, but always appreciated its usefulness.
She didn't need a mirror to know her reflection would show the same ravages of time and trial, but Lydia had stopped worrying about the wrinkles, stains, and wear on both of them long ago; she was pretty sure homeless ex-prostitutes weren't welcome at the Big Guy's table.
Now, lo and behold, here stood the Big Guy again. Even in the shadowy, dark space behind the dumpster she'd chosen as her shelter, she could see that his eyes hadn't changed. She started having that nice, melty feeling looked away, embarrassed.
"Come, Lydia," he said, and held out his hand. "It's time for the banquet."
Lydia's tongue felt stuck in her throat. "But Sir, surely you don't still want me to...?"
"But surely I do! Your place at the table is ready and waiting. Come," he said, and he smiled.
"Your other guests, Sir. What will they say? I'm...?"
"Lydia, you are the guest I'm concerned about."
"Oh, but the cloak, Sir. I've ruined it. I'm so sorry. How can I...?"
"Ruined, is it? Rise, my good woman. Come out into the light. Let us see." He took Lydia's hand and pulled her to her feet, letting the cloak fall to makeshift cardboard pallet.
"Sir, I'm so ashamed. It's more than the cloak that I've ruined. I cannot come. I'm no longer worthy." Lydia could only look as high as his feet.
"Yes. You are." He picked up the cloak and led Lydia to the puddle of light from a street lamp. Shaking out the cloak, he said, "And look, your cloak isn't ruined either."
Lydia gasped to see the cloth radiating with diaphanous beauty once again. The Big Guy wrapped the cloak around her shoulders and lifted her chin. She finally looked full in his face. No, he hadn't changed at all.
"Come," he said, "and take your rightful place at my table. The banquet can't begin without you."
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At first I was concerned as to who "the Big Guy" was...Then, I realized at the end. It was a good read.
Beautiful conclusion.
Thank you. God bless~
God Bless, Lynn