Something This Night Comes Redux

  The boy was eight years old. He was in third grade at Our Lady of the Holy Souls parochial school and was studying for the big day next fall when he would receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was a big step in the life of Catholic boys and girls, the day when you were accepted as a full member of the congregation.

 He was a solitary child, spending much of his time alone in his bedroom. For the past year, ever since his little brother was born, his family had been living in his Grandmother`s house and she didn`t allow the boy or his sister to spend time on the first floor. After eating by themselves in the little shed behind the kitchen, the children had to go directly to their rooms after dinner.

 Jimmie had a small transistor radio but he seldom had new batteries to power it. He saved his battery power for Friday nights, to listen to "The Shadow" and "The Lone Ranger". The rest of his evenings were spent doing homework or studying for his Confirmation.

 The more he read of the lives of the Catholic Saints, the more he wished to be like them. He would gladly give his life for Jesus.

 One evening, after finishing his homework, he reread the story of the Guardian Angels. Jimmie was especially drawn to the story and felt comfort in knowing that God had assigned an Angel to be with him always, protecting him. At times he could sense his angel next to him and, if he really concentrated, really tried, he could hear his Angel speak to him, tell him everything would be OK.

 Jimmie really needed this reassurance since his studies also talked of death and the everlasting life in Heaven which was waiting for all good boys and girls. He wasn`t sure exactly what death was, but it gave him a creepy feeling to think about it. Better to think of his Guardian Angel.

 At nine o`clock he turned his small light out and climbed into his bed. He prayed for his family and for hisGrandmother and rested his head on his pillow.

 Jimmie tried to sleep, but with his right ear directly on the pillow, he could feel his heart beating; thump, thump, thump. He could feel time slipping by. And his thoughts went back to death. Jimmie called for his Guardian Angel and his thoughts turned to heaven, and everlasting life. But the thump, thump continued and for the first time in his young life, Jimmie knew what it was to experience utter fear.

A little thought came from somewhere, maybe the Devil, and it stained his consciousness before it disappeared. The thought that maybe to live forever was just as scary as death.

 

Vince