Divided Communion

2011-04-19

Church lets out. Sherry Oxley walks out among the crowd, maintaining her pious routine. She idly chats with her pals.

Getting out of the parking lot is a mess, tight spots and a lot of pedestrians. She drives home. Her neighbor Paul tipped over Sherry’s trash bin with his car, must have left in a hurry. Another small scandal to cover up, surely. Loose trash spilled out into the street. Sherry’s quietly frustrated but picks up after him.

2011-04-26

Church lets out. Sherry joins the squad for Sunday brunch. Notice how Paul didn’t sneak in for his obligated appearance in the back row? Such a weight was lifted.

Oh, you haven’t heard? He hasn’t been showing up to town hall all week. Heard he and his family skipped town.

About time. They probably got run out by an angry crowd with pitchforks.

2011-04-29

Sherry goes to a yard sale, finds some items from Paul. Sherry discovers there’s more to his disappearance. Paul had a vision, god spoke to him; he gave up all his possessions and fled to the desert. Seems hard to believe, the whole of it.

2011-06-03

Traffic’s been light lately, fewer people on the street. So gradual you almost wouldn’t notice it, maybe folks are just staying in.

It’s been too many days like this to be coincidence, but Sherry’s preoccupied. Why Paul of all people? He was a nuisance; he used his faith to get votes. What does that say about a man? And he’s the one who is chosen?

2011-06-04

Sherry walks a few blocks through the dappled streets. Something’s not quite adding up. Paul? As she turns the corner to Fr. Mason’s condo, she’s snapped out of one stupor and placed in another. Nothing can be seen past the commotion and flashing lights, but the tone of the crowd is grim. Whispers speculate that he was chosen.

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