Conversation between Friends at Starbucks (Short Fiction)

“I’d like to buy a home, but how can anyone take a chance in this world of uncertainty?” Mary, a single mom with a good job, spoke from her heart.

“What are you afraid of, Mary?” her best friend, Sherry, said, and carefully sipped her steaming coffee.

“Lots of things. The economy. Job security. Terrorists. Climate catastrophes…”

“Climate catastrophes? Terrorists? You really think a lot about trouble, don’t you?” Sherry said.

“Don’t you?” Mary stirred a caramel frappuccino with her straw.

“No, I don’t. I think about how beautiful the weather is right now.”

“It is a lovely day,” Mary agreed looking out the window.

“And I think about all the blessings that surround me every day.”

“But what if those blessings suddenly were taken away? What would you do?”

“First, let me say that I think that is highly unlikely. What would I do? I really don’t know. What would you do if it happened to you?”

“I don’t know, but it scares me,” Mary said. “When I go to bed at night, I stay awake worrying about my kids, my parents, lots of things. I don’t get much sleep. What makes you think bad things aren’t going to happen to you?”

“God loves me. It’s that simple.”

“It is?”

“It is for me.”

“I wish I could believe that, too, Sherry.”

“Do it, Mary. But isn’t that what you really do believe? You say you do sometimes.”

“Yes. I do.” Mary smiled as she finished her delightful frappuccino. “Yes, I do.”

By Carol Ann Hoel © December 13, 2013.

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Psalm 103:2-5 – The Bible – (KJV) – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.