Brother in Christ

On the first day of school he looked me straight in the eye–we’re about the same height–and said that he’s an eighty year old trapped in a twelve year old’s body.

He said our school’s field trip to see a Shakespeare play was his thirteenth to that playhouse; his irony skit adaptation of the play involved a cat and dog marrying.

One of his grandfathers was a confederate soldier.

He reads the Bible during silent reading time.

One Tuesday morning as he passed me in the hallway on the way to first period he blearily said, “I like Wednesdays. We only read from Psalms on Wednesdays, so it’s short.”

At the pep rally on Thursday afternoon he stood in salute all through the national anthem.

And on Monday, after he atypically barely even grunted a greeting, I said to him, “P, something seems to be weighing you down.” He looked at the floor and shuffled past, but a few minutes later said, “I’ll tell you later.” During class he gave me this note:

Dear Mr. CJ:


If I don’t seem like myself it’s no one fault. Last night I had a dream, or a vision of evil not like villian evil I mean pure and unjust evil. lately, I have been trying overcome challenges in life. So I may not seem like my self for a while I will try my best ,but, no promises. 


Your brother in christ, 
P. 


P.S. Please Pray for me.


After class I told him “Certainly,” and he went on his way, and by the end of the day he seemed in much better spirits.