Jesus-Man

End (I)

I could see the clouds huddling together as if they were depressed. Their soft cheeks swelled, huffed then darkened. They must have heard some bad news.



‘Bye I’ve got to go’. I ran for some shelter as the clouds began to wail. I arrived (late) to work; my manager was keen to remind me of my tardiness. He looked up from behind the till and tapped his wrist-free watch. ‘What’s new?’ I replied flashing him a cheeky grin. His forehead crinkled together, but he never looked disappointed. It looked to me as if he were squinting rather than scolding.

Middle

As I was heading into work I lowered my Prada umbrella, the sky was brightening again. I suddenly felt awkwardly overshadowed. Looking down at me was this dusty black man, who was wearing a cardboard placard stating: I AM THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN! I laughed, after all Jesus is the only true way to heaven; my Christian upbringing came into defense.
‘What makes you think you are Jesus?’ I asked.

He responded: ‘I knew you would talk to me, why do you think you spoke to me today? After all you see me all the time.’

‘I don’t think so.’ I told him, shaking my head in disagreement. I’ve heard about you but this is the first time I’ve seen you. Anyway answer my question.’

‘I don’t say I’m Jesus, my name is-’

‘So if you are not Jesus’, I interjected, ‘how can you be the only way to
Heaven. Have you even read the Bible?’

‘I know the Bible better than you little girl…

YOU WILL ALL GO TO HELL! I am trying to save you! Heaven awaits those who give themselves to me!’ He flailed his arms, looking ridiculous, almost possessed. A few people stepped back from him, mothers steered their pushchairs away. On-lookers: adults, children, staff and customers were startled, puzzled and frightened, simultaneously.




It was during his speech, I carefully examined him. I noticed the flickered burn holes which oddly added character to his brown, long-sleeved cotton shirt. The only thing holy about this man is his shirt. I thought. My attention was districted by his feet. He was not wearing any shoes! His toenails were as thick as slices of rye bread and, they were ridged and cracked like McCoys crisps. His heels would benefit from a thick coat of poly-filler. I couldn’t believe that he was shoeless. Eww he’s standing in spit. His feet were tired-looking, crispy and malnourished.
‘I recognize that uniform!’ he said, turning back to my direction. My eyes darted from his feet to his face. His teeth were terribly straight and he had obviously shaved within the last seven days.
My uniform is black and white stripped like a referee’s at a boxing match. He pointed directly at my shop which reminded me…

‘Shit I’m late.’ I muttered under my breath. I attempted to walk away but he kept talking and following me.
‘It was meant to be, I was meant to save you, otherwise, you would not have spoken to me today.’ He said, determined he was right.

As if on cue,


lightening struck.



Beginning

There was a guy I met once. I never knew his real name but I liked to refer to him as Jesus-Man. After all whenever he came up in conversation, everyone knew who I meant.
It was a regular autumn’s day. The weather was frustrating; I could never decide what to wear on days such as this. It sprinkles lightly enough to be irritating, yet it was hot enough to create a layer of moistening on the skin. The heat under my armpits rose, I should not have worn this coat, I thought. Besides, it still needs to be dry cleaned…
Where was I?
It was a regular autumn’s day. Voila!
A rainbow appears.



Maybe things could be different today.
I had often heard rumours of Jesus-Man, he chased after girls and told them they were going to hell. ‘I am the only way to heaven.’ He proclaimed. Mad Black Man, I thought- disappointed at my own.
Mad, Black, Jesus-Man.

End (II)

Arriving from my lunch, I was interrupted by my fellow monochrome colleague. ‘Did you see what just happened?’
‘No.’ I was irritated, he was someone I preferred not to make idle conversation with.

‘Jesus-Man got arrested. But he kept saying, “My work is not done, there’s still one more girl I have to save.”

That’s strange, I thought. I wonder if I was meant to meet Jesus today.


NOW RE-READ IN ORDER: (Beginning-Middle-EndI-EndII)
Makes sense...thought so!
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