Maurice Carlos Ruffin
Heathen
M
ama ain’t raise no heathen. I go to church twice a year, on Easter and Christmas, even if I my soul is in good repair. Pastor Lucas call for the offering. Back row get up. That girl give me a wink when she pass by. I think I’m mistaking her intention, because she cute as a box of doilies, but she do it again.
My chest start to pounding. Cletus Johnson, you dog. You done got the yard bird, the eggs, and the coop. Don’t catch me wrong. I ain’t bad looking my damn self. I press my shirts with a hot iron on occasion. But a man got to know what level he’s on, whether he’s riding through life in a Cadillac car or mule wagon. Done always felt more like a bus man myself: no say as to exactly where I’m heading and it take forever and a day to get there.
I ain’t the kind of man to judge a gal just on her looks, but I like me a pretty, little thing just as much as the next. Too, there’s something about gal with a nice shake to her hips that’ll jerk your heart clean out your chest. When I get up to make the offering, that gal a little bit in front of me. She gutting me like a feast turkey. Her hip swing left and yank out my kidney. Her hip swing right, there go my gut. I’m so dumb-headed I put two silver dollars in the offering plate. Deacon Holmes give me a nod like shit, you alright, Johnson.
Pastor Lucas do the benediction. I’m in my Jesus-loves-me finest with a red handkerchief poking out the front pocket. I push my way over to that gal. Gal shapely as a water jug fixing to spill. I tell her who I am. Say her name Seletha. I tell her I’m an odd job man. Say she teach the children nearby Patterson farm. I smooch the back of her hand. Say it mighty fine to meet me in the Lord’s house.
Now, I ain’t look her in the face yet on account of her body spilling this way and that. So it take me a spell to see her face. Got a purple splotch like ink splashed her cheek and that ink dried. I jump back like oh when I see it. But she steady like she ain’t mark me none.
I see her round about a time or two. Ask if she want to go to the movie picture show in town. We can cozy up in the gallery and eat penny candy. Say she like ice creams better. Tell her I give her a barrel of chocolate and a big spoon, too. Say she like Rocky Road better. But she don’t go with me.
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