Page 17 of Pete and His Precious

I am not hungry anymore, which I find ironic, since I still paid for Animal-Rights Woman’s food, even though I’m not getting any myself, and so technically I upheld my end of the bargain.

She was the one who didn’t uphold hers. Although, it does not escape my memory that I am the one who left on Tuesday when we were supposed to have a drawing lesson, and then, on my way out the door, I stop and gasp.

I was supposed to have a drawing lesson with her, Animal-Rights Woman, on Tuesday. Then, on Friday I was supposed to have a date with her. Neither time did I know it was Animal-Rights Woman.

Lord?

I know people believe in coincidences, luck and all of that, but I don’t. I believe that God has a hand in the universe, and he’s intimately involved in the lives of his creation. I know that’s kind of unbelievable considering that there are eight billion people in the world, but since God created the universe and we can’t even figure out where the end of it is, it’s pretty amazing, awesome, really. I suppose after I get around to creating a newuniverse, and I’m still not able to keep dibs on eight billion people, then I’ll say it’s impossible.

Until that point, if God says He can do it, I believe Him.

Regardless, twice in one week I was supposed to get together with animal-Rights Woman, and I knew nothing about it. Until I met her.

What are You trying to tell me?

“Buddy, move out of the way, if you’re not going to go through the door, don’t just stand in the middle of it.”

People don’t talk to me like that when I’m wearing blue, but they’re right. I shouldn’t be standing at the door, having a revelation, and trying to figure it out, while blocking everyone’s path.

This is pretty unbelievable. I know it’s not a coincidence, but I don’t understand what God could be trying to get me to do, other than...

Okay. You’re right. Probably calling her Naked Animal-Rights Woman in my head is not the nicest thing I could ever do, and it’s not very loving. I roll my eyes at myself, and say that in a not very respectful way to the Lord.

I feel guilty immediately. When I’m wearing my uniform, I don’t appreciate people who don’t feel like they need to show me some kind of respect. I don’t mean that they have to bow down every time I walk by, but just honor the uniform.

God deserves a lot more honor than a policeman in uniform, and I know that.

I’m sorry.

I sighed.

I still don’t know what you want me to do.

Taking a jog will clear my head, so I turn up the street, and walk toward the gym where I have extra clothes stored in my locker.

There is no way I’m going back to my apartment right now. Even though I’ve never met Naked Animal-Rights Woman... Okay, she has a name. I’m not sure I know it though.

Lord, what am I supposed to call her when I don’t know her name?

All right, I’ve never met Sultry Voice Woman (are you happy Lord?) in our apartment building before, or else I would have known exactly who she was.

Still, I don’t want to take a chance, so I go directly to the gym.

I change out of my semi-good, button up shirt, the same kind of shirt that I would wear to church on Sunday or to a family dinner, when Cal and Leo walk in.

“Pete!” Cal says, slapping my shoulder. “How’s your anteater doing?”

“I guess he hasn’t starved to death. They’re still taking the money out of my account every month,” I say. Cal has a thing for anteaters, and he convinced me to sign up to adopt one as a pet. Pet is a very loose way of saying that the anteater lives in another country, while I pay for it’s extravagant lifestyle. It sounded like a scam to me, but it made my friend happy, and, truly, Cal is a decent guy. A loyal friend, and is honest and has integrity. He also happens to be a star hockey player for the Icebreakers, which is where Leo used to play too. Although now he’s retired, and is working on becoming the assistant pastor at my church, with the idea that he’s going to be taking over the senior pastor spot when the current pastor retires.

I often work out with them, but my schedule is a lot more unpredictable than theirs is, and they pretty much worked out together all the time. Although now that Leo doesn’t play anymore, I assume he’s knocked things down a notch. I guess I haven’t been around enough to know.

“What are you doing? Taking a jog?” Leo says, coming up beside me, already dressed to work out.

“I was thinking along those lines,” I say. “I just can’t stand to hear that bird I’m babysitting say your name anymore.”

Leo starts to grin. “Does he say, “Leo and his love bunny?”

“Did you teach him?” I asked.

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