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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Great (07/06/06)
Summoned

I thought I was dreaming that someone was knocking. After I have worked the night shift I place a Do Not Disturb sign on my door. I turned over. In that hazy half asleep, half awake stage, the knocking continued. Maybe there was an emergency. The nurse in me sat up; suddenly I was wide awake. The knocking persisted as I grabbed my robe and went to the door.

A smartly uniformed young man stood there. “Sorry, ma’am, to have disturbed you. My instructions were not to leave until I gave you this,” as he handed me a white envelope. With a nod he left, as I stood staring at the large envelope with my name in flowing royal blue script.
My address wasn’t there nor was there a return address.

As I turned back into my apartment, I turned the envelope over. There was an old fashioned cardinal red, waxed seal over the flap with an imprint that was strange, yet vaguely familiar. “Well, it’s not the Publishing Clearinghouse Winner. They come with camera crews and roses;” I thought as I reached for my letter opener. Carefully I slit the envelope; for some reason I didn’t want to break the seal. Slowly, I removed a smaller envelope.

I sat down in the rose colored recliner looking at my engraved name on the vellum envelope. Again I carefully slit it open. Removing the rice paper, I read the engraved invitation in disbelief. It was a summons to Rome… to the Vatican. In seven days I would be meeting Pope Benedict XVI! Time stood still as I reread the invitation that could not be refused. The seal! The imprint was from the Papal ring! I felt faint not realizing that I had been holding my breathe. I inhaled deeply trying to gather my wits. I remembered a second small envelope. It held a small folder with plane tickets, hotel reservations, and an itinerary… all expenses paid.

Grabbing my phone I speed dialed my son.

“Hello, this is…”

“I’m going to see the Pope!”

“Mom, get a grip! Calm down. Stop yelling! What is the matter?”

“I can’t. I’ve been summoned to appear before the Pope! Don’t you understand? I don’t. We’re not even Catholic. I don’t speak Italian; I don’t know the proper protocols; I don’t know what to wear; I …”

“Mom, I’m coming over.” And he hung up.

Twenty minutes later, my son looked at the Papal seal and read the invitation: Per Papal decree the presence of ... With great pride in his eyes, he smiled at me, “What a great honor!” Grinning he added, “How many plane tickets…

He was interrupted by the alarm clock ringing… and so was my dream.
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This article has been read 853 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
A. E. Cuthbert
07/13/06
I love the way you tell the story. You almost believe that it really happened to you until the end. It was fun to read.
Carol Shaffron
07/15/06
GREAT imagination!
Phyllis Inniss 
07/15/06
A great summons with papal seal and all. Well done. Very imaginative.
Joanne Sher 
07/17/06
Cute twist at the end! You really had me believing! Well written.
Mary Frederick
07/20/06
Connie this is really clever
writing. I forgot it was a
dream and suddenly the end and I laughed at myself. I was waiting for your account of your visit. Thanks for sharing and making me laugh.