Riffing on Life

My buddy had gone into the church in search of a bathroom. I sat down on a bench, my back to the skyline of Pittsburgh, my 100-lb pup curled up between my legs, his head resting on my left foot. I looked skyward, the spire of the church finding its way into my gaze as my head tilted back as far as it could.

Didn’t always look like that, ya know. I turned as a much older man, no taller than 5 feet, slightly hunched, sat down beside me, closer than is generally deemed comfortable. A bulbous nose rose out of the valley of his eyes, casting a shadow across his buoyant smile. It was a little after 4 in the afternoon, the spire offering generous shade in the heavy mid-July afternoon.

It’s a beautiful church, I replied.

I was married here back in ‘52. Been here ever since. I’m here for the 5:30 Mass, but my wife likes to come early to talk with her friends. I usually sit in the car—motioning back with his thumb—but its so damn hot… You can’t take a dog in there, ya know.

Oh, I’m just sitting a spell. You said you were married here?

Oh, yes—chuckles—I grew up in a different neighborhood, few miles north. Those were the days when everyone played ball after school. Wasn’t anything else to do. Our neighborhood was our home. Kids are different these days. Look at screens all day, don’t go to church [sighs]. But then it got time for my name to be called up. You know, for the draft. Good-looking dog, you have there. Never had one myself.

What branch did you serve in?

Well this was after World War II. Like I said, the neighborhood was home. I’d never been outside my neighborhood except to see the Pirates play. We were poor, had no reason to. But a teacher of mine said it was best to enlist because then you got to choose. So that’s what I did. Air Force. Mechanic type stuff, ya know. I never saw any combat. Was in Germany for a bit. Yeah, that was fun. Came back and met my wife.

I asked about his children, to a hearty laugh.

Yes, three, all within a block of their parents—we still live in the same house they grew up in. And the youngest—well they say life comes full circle—he’s back in the attic where he started and he’s almost 54! Yeah, his wife left him. Took the kids. Daughter down the street with two kids, oldest son has one. What kind of dog you say he is?

He’s a Great Pyrenees, he’s still growing. Only eleven months old.

Oh boy—chuckles—looks like a handful. He crossed his arms and looked up at the spire. Wasn’t always like that you know. My buddy had since returned and was ready to roll.

What did it look like before?

Completely different façade back when we were married. Looks much nicer now. I took a quick peek at my watch and saw that it was time to go; we were meeting friends for drinks and dinner.

We’ve got to be going, but was nice to meet you, sir.

You too! My name is Joseph, like the saint. But my friends call me Chooky.

Elias. It’s been a pleasure, Chooky.

Elias, that’s a good biblical name. Have a good one. Well-behaved dog. Good dog.

Thank you, he’s a good lil man. Have a nice evening! 

Oh, I usually do, he replied, with a chuckle.

[PC: stock image from google image search]