Thank ya, Jesus
by David James
We were always thrilled that the moon worked the night shift. In high school, often bored with the two drive-in movies, we'd sometimes go to tent revivals on our dates and get healed or get saved depending upon what that “tent-housed” evangelist preacher de jour's hot buttons were on that particular evening. Each “Elmer Gantry” had his own schtick. It was hard not to laugh as we made our way to those makeshift altars (often just wooden pieces sort of scabbed together) with the mesmerized congregation's plaintive, off-key hymnal refrains, coaxing folks come forward. After services, walking to my car in the pasture-turned parking lot, holding hands, we would stop at the passenger-side car door, kiss deeply and smile, each knowing that on the blanket in my trunk was our church where under that moon we would be saved again.
amen*
Sweet jesus I love this.
Jumpin' Jesus on a jack-hammer! Really liked the enviornment you painted here, Preacher James!
testify! fav.
"Each “Elmer Gantry” had his own schtick. It was hard not to laugh as we made our way to those makeshift altars (often just wooden pieces sort of scabbed together) with the mesmerized congregation's plaintive, off-key hymnal refrains, coaxing folks come forward."
Well done, David.
Brief, but completely satisfying. Glad to see you posting your work.
Really, really enjoyed this.
I'm back.
Real nice, David.
Glad to know you've been saved from eternal hellfire and damnation. I was kinda worried about it. Great little piece David. A real slice of Americana! Fave! *
god this is gorgeous!
Excellent. As close to perfect as I can judge.*
"Thank the blanket in our car was our church."" REally great, David! LOVED!! *****
We used to sneak into those revival meetings. We didn't realize we were using them for aphrodisiac reasons. Faved.
AMEN! *
How did I miss this? Greatness!*
That's a nice little story. Of course you'll be going straight to hell now. (I say, that's a joke son.) Good one.
My, this is wonderful. I recently read Elmer Gantry (emerged as a Sinclair Lewis fan: http://bit.ly/stAFSL) and this just flows so well, so true.
Fantastic! Such beauty, with such economy of words.
It gave me the chills. Just beautiful. A Fave*
Thanks to you all for taking time to read this story.
Very very good David. Enjoyed every word
Beautiful.
Praise be! Fave.