Where No Gods Came

Hi Baby

M Hi Baby, So she put you with the Catholics. I had to laugh. I can still hear Lenore’s old man calling me a ‹sh eater. Not that I cared about the name, he called me plenty worse. But I wish he was alive today to see his golden girl, Lenore, kneeling next to you in the pew down at Cathedral. Dropping his cash into the basket. Amazing the way it all shakes out. I did the God gig as a kid, guess that’s why I never dragged you into it. Whatever you decide, I’m right there with you. There were things I took from it, all right. Some I ‹nd myself falling back on now that I’ve landed here in hell. Some you’ll use. But let me set you straight. Whatever you missed along the way in terms of church was my mistake. Your soul, sweetheart , is A-O.K. You’ve been in someone else’s hands since you sucked in your ‹rst breath. How else could we have made it this far down the road? You’re smart, you’ll pick the program up. The whole nine yards. Kneeling . Letting the wafer melt to pieces on your tongue. Genu›ecting. Don’t forget to dip your ‹ngers in the holy water dish. If I was home I could have run the routine past you. It’s not something you forget. God knows Lenore’s out of her league. Just be happy you’re not here. I’m still kicking myself for coming. Worst mistake I ever made. And I can’t get off the rig. Not if I want a ticket home. You’re not missing anything. Some wallabies on Barrow Island. Sharks swimming around the rig. Perth’s an O.K. break, but we’re hanging in the slums. The ocean’s ocean. I’ve had enough to last a lifetime. Don’t even want to go back to the marina. Think we’ll start over in Alaska. The cold looks good to me right now. Now that school’s on, you don’t need to write so much. I don’t want your ‹ngers falling off. Besides, I can’t keep up. There isn’t time to write a word, let alone a letter. I’ve given it my best shot. This is more than I’ve 49 written in a lifetime. I love you. Behave yourself. And while you’re at it, light a candle and rattle off a Hail Mary for your old man. I could use the help. Now and at the hour of my death. Amen. Dad 50 M Sheila O’Connor ...