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see that he had been in a fight. It wouldn’t be long
before the gossip started. He hoped he could get to Aunt Mary
before she heard it. In better times when the crops were good, his
aunt and uncle would have stopped here after church, but this year
didn’t allow for such luxury.
    Erik had to park his pickup a block
and a half away. From there he could see a group huddled waiting
their turn. Some of the men had their arms folded with impatience
while the younger kids played tag using their parents as a shield.
Erik tried to look down so people might not recognize him. I’m so messy they’ll think I’m a hobo bum. He worked his way through the group and went
straight to the cash register to leave his name. He lowered his
head to avoid the stares. There was nothing he could do to change
that. The small restaurant didn’t have room for a lobby so people
were crammed so tight you heard, “excuse me,” every few seconds. He
was too tired and too confused to care.
    â€œ How long is the wait?” Erik asked
when he reached the register podium.
    â€œ How many?” the older gentlemen
replied while ringing another tab.
    â€œ Just one.” Erik wondered why the
question was even necessary with the way he looked.
    â€œ You might want to sit at the
counter. I have to leave my tables free. If you want a table it’ll
be an hour, but I can get you to the counter in twenty.”
    â€œ The counter is fine. I’ll be back
in the restroom so don’t give my place to anyone else.” Erik knew
the manger, Don, but didn’t know if Don knew him this morning. All
Erik got was a disgusting look of look
what the cat drug in. Suddenly Erik felt
like one of the bums that worked with him during the harvest
season.
    Erik worked his way through the line of booths
towards the bathrooms. His kept his head bowed. The men’s room
didn’t have a line, but the inside was filled shoulder to shoulder.
There was only one sink and Erik waited his turn.
    â€œ Go ahead.” A man gestured to Erik
to cut in front of him.
    â€œ Sure? You were here
first.”
    â€œ Its all yours.” The man again
gestured.
    Erik didn’t even say thanks as he turned on the warm
water. He tried to dab the cut with a paper towel. The paper was so
thick and hard it felt like cardboard. Erik grimaced with pain. As
he examined his cut in the mirror, he saw the man behind him
staring. Erik didn’t know if the man wanted him to hurry, or if he
was wondering what fight Erik had found.
    â€œ This might work better.” The man
said as he pulled out a cloth handkerchief from his pocket and
handed it to Erik.
    Erik felt both grateful and awkward. He took the
handkerchief and forgot to even acknowledge the gesture.
    As Erik began to clean away the next cut of dried
blood, he saw the man still looking at him in the mirror.
    â€œ I’m going to be a while. You go
ahead. I’ve taken your spot and your handkerchief.” Erik wanted to
be polite, but he also wanted the man to quit looking at him. The
man quickly washed his hands and was gone.
    Once Erik had cleaned as much as he could, he went
back to the join the others huddled in front of the cash register.
He took a spot at the very back of the entry, but close enough to
hear his name called.
    The same man who offered Erik his handkerchief was
directly in front of him. The man was laughing and talking with a
young couple that Erik had seen before at the Fairfield Community
Church. The restaurant was loud enough that Erik could only hear
parts of their conversation, but what he heard made him inch
forward.
    â€œ John, you must have faith to be
able to laugh when there aren’t any carpenter jobs in four
counties,” a young man standing next to Erik’s new acquaintance
said.
    â€œ I’m not sure if it’s my faith, or
sheer stupidity,” John laughed, “but faith sure doesn’t hurt. Faith
has been a long journey and