Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Taste (07/15/10)
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TITLE: Brianna's Answer | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
07/17/10 -
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Mesmerized by the latest crime show, Brianna’s question snapped David out of his television hypnosis. “What? Oh, lemme look.” David gently set the television remote on the table adjacent to his large, maroon leather chair. “Let’s see..whadya got?”
Brianna giggled. “It’s have, Daddy: What do I have.”
“All right, you’re right, what do you have?”
It’s my assignment from school. My teacher wants us to find out: ‘How does taste work in the human body?’”
David rubbed his beard, thinking for a minute.
“Okay Daddy, whatcha thinking?”
“I’m thinking…actually remembering…”
“Did you forget something again?”
“Oh no, Punkin, it’s nothing like that. I was just remembering your mother… You remind me a lot of her—she always corrected my bad English.”
Brianna picked up a framed photo from the table next to David’s chair. “When did Mommy join the army?”
“Air Force. She joined the Air Force. We were going through hard times during the Great Recession, and we needed some income. We both lost our jobs…”
“I miss her.” Brianna placed the photo back on the table.
“Awww… sweetie, I miss her too. Come here.” Brianna hugged her father tightly.
“Daddy, why did Mommy have to die?”
David picked up the remote control and powered off the television. “Well, let’s put it this way, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Some of us taste death early in life. I’m proud of your Mommy: she saved an entire army base from a terrible attack while serving in Afghanistan.”
“She was a pilot, right?”
“Yes.” David grabs the photo from the table. “Sometimes, the memories are overwhelming.”
David’s eyes began to fill with tears.
“Daddy, it’s okay, you can cry.”
“I really try not to around you, cuz you’re my sweetie punkin.” David set the photo back on the table. “Anyway, let’s work on your project.”
“Maybe someday I will have a new mommy. That can be your school project.”
“Maybe… someday…the Bible says, 'Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.'”
“Okay Daddy. I want to get this done: Do you know how taste works?”
“No, but from what it says here, you cannot use Google or any other on-line source, especially Wikipedia. I guess that leaves the old ways.”
“What are the ‘old ways’, Daddy?”
“Hmmm… let’s see: ‘analog’ things, like books.”
“Books? Paper books?”
“Yes.”
“Boring!”
“Okay, then in the interest of not being boring, I have an idea.”
“What’s that?” Brianna smiled big.
“Let’s call Rosco. Gimme the phone from the kitchen.”
“Ask nicely.”
“Brianna, can you please bring me the telephone from the kitchen?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Brianna jumped up and almost skipped toward the kitchen and returned in short order.
“Thanks Brianna. You can dial it. I have the number memorized. It was just on T.V…are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, please dial 1, 555, CALL ROSCO.”
“Got it.” Brianna placed the telephone by her left ear. “It’s ringing.”
“Put it on speaker.”
“Please?”
“Yes, please.”
Brianna complied.
“Rosco Reference, we’re ready to research for you! This is Stephanie, how may I help you today?”
“Hi, this is Brianna and I have a question. It’s for school. I hope it’s okay,”
“Hello Brianna, you have such a beautiful voice. What’s your question?”
“Okay, my question is, ‘How does taste work in the human body?’”
“One moment please, while I access our records.”
“Daddy, what’s wrong, now? Why are you crying again?”
“I can’t believe Stephanie still works there. She’s been working for Rosco for years. She helped me research my papers in college—which was a long time ago. Anyway, we fell in love, but when I graduated we went our separate ways.”
Stephanie heard every word.
“David, is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me. I can’t believe you still work there. Is Rosco still the owner?”
“Yes, Mr. Rosco is still the boss here. This is so wonderful, David. How long has it been?”
“Almost 20 years. My wife died in Afghanistan just before Christmas last year. It’s been tough.”
“I can only imagine. How about this: I’ll be off work in 20 minutes. Could I stop by? I’ll bring Brianna’s answer.”
“Yes.”
“See punkin, the Lord IS good!”
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Reference:
Job 1:18-22 (New King James Version)
Psalm 34:8-9 (New King James Version)
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