FOR THE LOVE OF GOD II

When he mentioned the local church I was lost for words as we made a quick turn. The smell was nauseating and I was almost panicking as he tried to awaken his friend.

We drew up the church's short driveway with my aunt getting off the car as if she was some tout. They carried him into the church as I watched in terror wondering if I had been too rush with my decision to be of assistance. I shrugged it off as I brusquely walked into the church.


The local pastor was bent over the victim dabbing him with antiseptic. He was groaning now (which was a good thing!!). The man we brought with us was now explaining that the villagers had found out that the victim was gay and they were in his own words: 'straightening him out'. His voice droned on as I drifted into thought of the repercussion of my intervention. I chided myself for my selfishness in not being able to see past my nose and the big picture of a life spared. Pastor Eric (that was his name) got on the phone and spoke in hushed tones. In ten minutes a lady dressed as a nurse appeared and attended to Charles (the victim), who was now seated upright drinking a glass of water and seemed to be lucid.

James (the Saviour) was also in a panic as to his fate. So far he had told us that Charles' jilted lover had sold him out as he had refused to continue their relationship. My young aunt seemed to be absorbing the details without regarding the graveness. Pastor Eric came over and thanked me for bringing Charles over and that This wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred, he proceeded into detail of past events of similarity as I drifted in and out wondering what next.

Cecilia the nurse gave a clean bill and I explained to the pastor that my aunt and I had to beg leave. As I went to bid this stranger fate had brought into my life, I had a feeling of despondency thinking that it could have been me on the church pew. The only thing that was different were the circumstances of our lives. I took the pastor's number with the intention of following up on the incident.

James feared to come along with us, and we left him behind. The pastor walked us to the car and bid us farewell. Strangely enough as we drove home in silence my fear abated and resolute confidence replaced it. I had made a difference in my own small way, and I had contributed though out of impulse than thought to the saving of Charles' life. I was sure nothing would make me regret my descision, nothing!

As we drove into my grandma's home the look on my father's face and his 'ready to pounce' stance changed my resolute confidence into a chilling fear...