May 13, 2006

Stag

Dean Caven and I stood by the open doors of St. Mary's Church in Piqua Ohio. His niece was standing at the far end of the pews with her wedding party. Camera flashes and laughter bounced off the vaulted ceiling inside.

"What about you? Where's your date?" He asked me in the foyer. "You're still single huh?"

He asked me in earnest, but with a smirk on his face, awaiting my reply.

I nodded to my sister. "She's my date today" I replied.

"You Roeth's are always single." he said with a smile.

"I just don't have much time for that". Annie said to him, laughed and walked away.

The guests had almost all left the wedding and were leaving the for the reception. The church was nearly empty. Surprisingly, he turned to me and continued.

"You are always going in your own direction. I know how that goes. I have been there." he said assuredly.

You have no idea, I thought to myself.

I looked at his wife walking to the back of the pews toward us. "So how have you stayed there?" I asked.

He looked me straight in the eyes.

"I changed my direction." he said squarely, then turned with his wife and headed for the party.

Posted by Todd Roeth at May 13, 2006 10:35 PM