Sue

Picasso- two women at a bar

 My doorbell rang today. I figured it had something to do with a church, because it usually does.

 It was my next door neighbor Sue, an older black woman who lives alone. We don't know each other very well, but every time she sees me she yells, "Hey Baby!" from her porch. Every now and then she'll tell me stories about living in Chicago or remind me that women who don't learn how to cook will never get husbands. Which may be true.

I opened the door and before I even had a chance to say hello, Sue walked in and put a flyer on my kitchen table. Without having a chance to read it, all I really noticed was the word "Revival" in big, bold letters, a photo of a serious guy in a suit, and a little border of flames.. which I'm assuming was supposed to represent hell.

She pulled out a little envelope and said, "This young man is preachin tonight in the church across the street. Can you donate anything to help him get back to New York? I can put both of our names on the envelope."

I tried to quickly think of an excuse to avoid giving away my money. I mean, it all seemed like nonsense. But I like Sue and I like Sue liking me, so I decided to just go along with it.

"Just a second." I told her.

She followed me and I whipped $5 bill out of my wallet. I couldn't help but notice she was wearing a leather jacket on top of a nightgown and flip flops with pink socks. She seemed relieved when I handed her the money and gasped out, "Baby, thank you so much!" I told her it was no problem.

She lingered for a moment and told me, "I've been so sad. I have so much pain in my heart. You know I'm from Chicago? Well, I don't know if I told you this but my only son and my mother burned in a fire at our church in Chicago." She started crying in the middle of my kitchen. I gave her a long hug.

"I'm really sorry," I told her. "You know, you can come over and visit me any time"

She told me again, "I've got so much pain in my heart. Just keep me in your prayers."

I promised her I would, and I actually meant it. I don't really know how to pray and I've never really done it, but I could try.

She headed out the door and asked me if I wanted to come along to the service. I hesitated and told her I had a lot of homework.

"But tell the preacher I said hey," I added.

She laughed and walked away.