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G Emil Reutter
Down by the River
The river narrowed at the water gap, forming a Y after the water passed through the gap around a small island in the river. The mountains rose on each side of the river teaming with life. She leaned on the stone wall looking down on the river, following the water to the edge, gazing upward at the beautiful majesty of the moutain. The peacefulness of this place always seemed to soothe her soul, her troubles disappearing into the mountain side. She walked to her car, suddenly realizing she was rubbing her stomach as she walked.
Glancing at the oak doors of the church she hesitated to enter. The music of worship and shouts of amen filled the vestibule of the church. Walking along the carpeted floor she sat in the last pew, feeling the coldness of the hard wooden bench. The singing came to a sudden halt as the preacher with microphone in hand stood in the center of the alter. "Jesus loves you", he shouted to shouts of amen from the congreagtion. "He died for your sins my children and there is no greater sin then the taking of one of God’s children. Young ladies you have a choice about having a baby and that choice is simply to say no!" The preacher paused, wiping his forehead with a hankie, "abortion is an abomination to the lord, a continuance of the sin of fornication. Ladies if you don’t wanna have a child, say no! Young men you need to keep your zippers up, stay away from the harlots who will deceive you, taking you away from God’s love and mercy." The preacher began to stomp his feet, " The lord is speaking to me today, we have fornicators among us who need to come forward, feel the healing power of Jesus. Let Jesus forgive you of your sins with the power of the Holy Spirit, come forward now my children".
She watched the two teenage girls walk down the center aisle to the alter. When the girls reached the alter two ushers stood behind them. The preacher was speaking in a language she did not understand, shouting praise Jesus when he stopped. Standing in front of the girls the preacher began speaking in another language once again. He stepped back, whispering in the microphone, "Jesus forgive these girls for their terrible sin and fill them with your Holy Spirt". The preacher suddenly tapped the forehead of the one girl, " you are annointed with the Holy Spirit". She fell backwards into the arms of the usher who laid her on the floor. The preacher turned to the second girl tapping her on the forehead. Falling backward, she was also placed on the floor.
Standing up she realized she had come to the wrong place. Turning her back to the alter she walked to the oak doors of the church. " Jesus has forgiven them just as he forgave Mary Magdeline the prostitute" the preacher bellowed as the oak doors closed behind her. Walking to her car she wondered why none of the men went to the alter and laughed. Driving home she thought of the water gap, the peaceful presence, how she loved natural happiness.
The alarm clock went off at 9:00 a.m. waking her from the peacefulness of her sleep. She put on a pot of coffee, picking up the telephone, punching the numbers. " Planned Parenthood can I help you" the voice on the line said. "Yes" she said, " I need an appointment".
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