Gloomy Sunday

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There he was, a tall man, with a leather trench coat and boots, returning from a dinner downtown, to the outskirts to see his family. Upon reaching the apartment complex, he found the building to be on fire, firefighters combating the blaze. “Did anyone get out? Was there anybody in there?” he asked one fire fighter after the blaze was out. “There was your family, sir. A woman and two girls. I'm very sorry sir.” The man tilted his head down, looking at the snow covered ground. He began walking away at a very fast pace. “Sir!” the firefighter called out.

“Why God? I went to church, got baptized, saved, converted a few people to the religion, but why did you have to take my family? Why, dammit?!” The poor man cursed. His house, gone. His family gone. His possessions, GONE. He had nothing, nothing but a few dollars in his pocket, and a warm coat to block out the New York winter's cold. “That's it; I'm done for. No where to turn to, no one left to go to. I'm all alone. Might as well just die. You might as well take me now, God, seeing as you wanted to take my family so badly...”

The man walked onwards, down a never ending sidewalk, into the city. The pitch black sky let off snowflakes, and the snow insulated the city street's sound. To the man, there was no noise, no sound, just his own misery. He passed an old church made of stone, and he saw the warm candle light in the windows, the sound of children singing hymns. “Silent night. Holy night. All is calm...” “You lie, children.” the man whispered in anger. Onward he walked, and feeling saliva build up in his mouth he spit. The spittle froze before it hit the sidewalk. He didn't care. The street lights illuminated the street, showing off all the snow and ice, and the simple fact that it may not be burning, but it was still a Hell to him. Shops were closing, few people were on the streets, and Christmas carols were being sung by choirs in churches. “Why do you torment me God? I've served you, I've cared for you, I prayed to you. You took all that mattered to me. Why didn't you just let me die?! They were innocent little girls! Why did they have to die so terribly?!” For the first time in his life, the man shed a tear.

He made it to a park, the gates opened. “I need to be alone.” He walked up a small hill, a tree stood there, and a light nearby, illuminating the spot. He sat down, knees in front of him, arms hugging his legs, back against the bark. His breathing stuttered, puffs of what could be seen as his breath came out his mouth in small bursts. His nose began running. Then he laid his head down on his arms, shielding his face. The man fell asleep, only to never wake up.

Copyright 2007 Robert Quintin Penn

Comments (2)

Posted by Yahaira Nunez 10-16-2007 11:21,   Heh... The last sentence was a bit funny to me... care to ask why? I think you know. Don't you find it just a little funny once you think about it?     Age old question, that it is. Why would God allow such injustices to plague our world? Sometimes if feels unproductive to act according to God's Word, huh? Is this you criticizing God?   » Report this comment to administrator » Reply to this comment...   Posted by Tommy Lee 10-17-2007 19:37,   last sentence? the man fell asleep and never woke up? why is that funny? something i am missing? :?     this is a very depressing story. I liked that you ended the story without the cheesy "everything turns out great" ending.   » Report this comment to administrator » Reply to this comment...

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