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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Hospitality (02/07/05)
After the church service, the young visitor approached Howard requesting a few minutes of his time. They departed through the double doors and ventured across the church grounds toward the parking lot. Stopping to chat, they huddled beneath a huge oak tree. The young man stooped down, retrieved an acorn, and launched it into the blowing wind.

“Do you mind if I treat you to lunch, Sir?” The young man watched the acorn thump to the ground.

“Well, I suppose that would be fine. I’m Howard, Howard McKay.” Howard smiled and extended his hand.

“I’m Danny Alvarez, Sir. Do you have a favorite place to eat?” Danny shook Howard’s hand.

“There’s a café around the corner; we can walk, if you like.”

“That sounds great, Mr. McKay. I could use the exercise.”

Danny slowed his pace, allowing the older man to keep in step. As they traipsed along, Danny observed the old homes with column-supported porches and white picket fences. Lavender asters blossomed along the edge of the cracked sidewalk.

When they reached the diner, Danny held the door for Howard. After sitting in a booth by a window, they placed food orders with a young waitress. While they waited, Danny swirled his glass in the water ring on the table, and Howard introduced him to a young couple from the church. The returning waitress, carrying a food tray, disrupted the conversation and apologized for the interruption. She placed the plates on the table and Howard prayed the blessing. Using his knife and fork, he portioned the pork chop and watched Danny fiddle with the saltshaker.

“So, Danny, should I know you?” Howard snared a green bean with his fork and lifted it to his mouth.

“Mr. McKay, I’m sure you don’t remember. Many years ago, my family visited your church. After the service, you and your wife invited us to your home and served us a meal.” Danny stirred a spoonful of sugar into his tea. “My dad drove an old pickup with a camper shell, and my mother was pregnant. I was seven years old.”

“I recollect your young family. You stopped by on your way through town, but my memory fails beyond that, Danny.”

“We traveled a lot. Some people called us gypsies and avoided us, but you asked us into your home. After the meal, we all gathered around the fireplace in the living room, and you plopped down beside me on the couch. You put your arm around my shoulder and embraced me the whole time.” Danny choked back tears and gazed out the plate glass window.

“When we departed your home, you hugged me and told me to remember Jesus loves me. Mr. McKay, you were the first person to hug me and tell me someone loved me. My senior year in high school, at a youth rally, I gave my life to Jesus. Part of my testimony regards the love you showed that day in your home.” Danny glanced toward Howard and noticed tears in the older man’s eyes.

“Danny, I don’t think you know how much this means to me.” Howard reached across the table and clutched Danny’s hand.

“My wife and I completed Bible College last month, Mr. McKay. We received an assignment as assistant pastors in a church in Fredonia. My wife and children were unable come with me today, but I wanted to see you and to thank you.”

“You’re welcomed to stay in my home for the day, Danny.”

“I’d love to, but I need to get back and help my wife.”

The two remained silent until they finished the meal, and then they sauntered back to the church parking lot. When they approached the vehicle, Danny turned and embraced Howard in a bear hug. They both wept as they clung together.

“Danny, you blessed me today. Since the passing of my wife three years ago, I receive very few hugs. I needed to hear the things you said. Thanks for buying lunch.”

Danny stepped back at arm’s length. “Goodbye, Mr. McKay. Take care of yourself.”

After Danny entered the car, Howard closed the door and watched Danny drive away. Turning around, Howard noticed the wind fluttering the leaves of the old oak tree. Inside his car, he glimpsed his image in the rearview mirror and whispered, “Thank you, Lord.”

He started the motor and headed for home.
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This article has been read 1161 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Suzanne R
02/15/05
I enjoyed the content and really liked the way you started with the old oak tree and finished with an old oak tree. Also, the picture of the pastor giving the lonely young boy a hug, thereby demonstrating real love, and then it coming back at the end with the young preacher giving the lonely old widowed pastor a hug was lovely. The setting of the street was beautifully described. It's a good reminder to show hospitality to strangers in town. I personally couldn't have spent the rest of the meal in silence, but I guess that might be a 'man thing'??? Well done with this article.
Cynthia Zirkwitz
02/15/05
I also enjoyed the content of this story. I liked how you had Danny reach down and launch an acorn into the wind-- a particularly male gesture and a sort of motif for his life, as we learn. Very sweet.
Karen Deikun
02/20/05
This was a beautifully told story - well crafted, and very meaningful in its message. It brought tears to my eyes. How profound that something so simple as a hug could leave such a powerful impact.

Thank you for your story.
Phyllis Inniss 
02/21/05
This is a beautiful story. You presented it in such a vivid way, the little details that made the story ring true and the message it reveals. Very special.
Nancy Hardy
02/21/05
Well done, Larry! Your message is one that takes me back to the time when Christian fellowship outside the sanctuary was a weekly occurance. Congratulations on this short story's HC status. YSIC, Nancy