Late Night Preacher

I began to preach at ten but had no idea why so late, soon it would be dark, I thought, and wondered why it was not so already. Several apathies passed unnoticed. I gave them no mind. And, finally, an opportunity in a lavish, bizarre old living room. But the matriarch was having none of it, she was withered and severe, she heatedly ordered me on my way and saw to it that I did not mind. The tongue-lashing didn't bother me much, I was amused, come to think of it. Leaving, I passed the housekeeper, buxom and charming, a smiling auburn gem I should have met somewhere else. And it was twelve. The day was still bright and the thinning traffic was still traffic. I melted into the radiance of midnight. 23rd July 1997