A Talk with Will

Will walked by Tony, sat in his chair, and propped his feet on the desk. Tony sat across from Will and asks a question right off.

"Will, why you?"

"Do you mean, why did your dad pick me?"

"Yes, exactly."

Will looked down at the calendar covering his desk. His eyebrows looked like they were touching.

"Tony, when your dad came to AA, he saw me there. At first, this made him very uncomfortable. Eventually, he realized that I wasn't going to "out" him. I guess he chose me, because I was not overly impressed with his education."

Tony wanted more. "What do you mean?"

"When your dad showed up to his first meeting, he looked like hell. His first few meetings, he was trying to give advice to people who had been sober for years."

Tony smiled, he knew his dad's tendency to give advice to people who did not ask.

"One meeting, I got sick of it. I told your father, that he hadn't been sober long enough to give advice. As far as I was concerned he is an over-educated asshole who doesn't know shit about life."

Tony was obviously taken aback. Will notice his shock and asked, "what?"

"You cussed, I did not think Christians cussed."

Will smiled, "I ain't that kind of Christian. Besides, what made you so sure that I'm a Christian. Do you think we are the only ones who pray?"

Tony looked confused, "Billy and I are atheists, I guess I don't know much about religion."

"Tony, that is not necessarily a bad thing. I'm spiritual, but not very religious."

Tony was still looking at Will like he had three heads. Will, sat up and put his elbows on his desk.

Tony started feeling very uncomfortable with the way Will was looking at him, but, he couldn't break the eye contact. "Tony, your dad got stuck in resentment. He confided in me, that his biggest regret was not educating you about God." Tony started to squirm. "Hold it Tony, there is more to God than religion or any other preconceived notions people have. I promised your father that I would strongly encourage you to educate yourself about God, to make up your own mind, and not just take anyone's word for it."

The silence was very tense for a few seconds. Finally, Tony said, "Not many churches or Christians are going to accept me, with my 'lifestyle'." Tony's eyes flared as he spoke.

Will smiled that same rascal smile, "Well, I'm not that kind of Christian."

Tony returned his smile for a moment. A look of sudden shock came across Tony's face and he gasped, "she knew!"

Still smiling, Will laughed and said, "yeah, you need to talk to your mom, again."

Will saw anger come over Tony's face, "Whoa, slow down son, don't jump to any conclusions, just go talk to your mom."

Tony bit back his anger. "Will, thank you for helping my father with his final wishes. As for anything else, don't hold your breath."

Will twisted his neck a bit, "Oh, I won't, I've said my piece. If you need anything, just let me know."

Will offered his hand, Tony shook it and turned to leave. Tony thought to himself, "well now, I wonder what mom has to say."