The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-12-18

BILL BRAKED THE CAR at the stop light.
He took out his cigarettes and offered them to the
young woman beside him. He'd had no chance to look at
her closely when Anne made the intrOductiOnS: Miss Nor
gan-Myra-Bill Corodan."
MYRA HAD MURMURED something and turned to
someone else. Now, as his pocket lighter flared, he noted
that she had a small, oval face. When she raised her eyes
to his, he saw that the imseS were brown.
Thanks she said.
What was the matter with her. She'd spoken only in
monosyllables ever since they started out. Come to think of
it, she hadn't talked much back at the house, either.
If she was in a sour mood, she shouldn't have suggest
ed going to place like Saint Pete'S. Maybe she didn't like
his company; in which case she'd probably like to go home.
Well, that would suit him fine. Then he could do what
he'd wanted to do all day-go to some tavern and get drunk.
INSTEAD, HE'D LET Anne and Hal Siefert persuade
him to come over for a Christmas eve party.
When he arrived at the Sieferts, there were a dozen
other guests there.
Hal gave him a drink and Anne led him around to
meet the others. After the second round of drinks, Hal said.
Lets go somewhere and celebrate Christmas eve right"
A number of places were suggested, but none, 1t SEEM
ed, suited everyone. 1t was then that Myra spoke up. She
was standing by the hifi, a glass of ginger ale beside her,
looking over some LIP records. What's the matter with
going to Saint Petes?'
APPROVAL WAS INSTANT and unanimous. "Just the
placer someone said. "They have a special Christmas at
traction-Voodoo dancers from Africa. Let's Co."
When the cars were filled, Bill found Myra beside him.
AND SO, WHETHER she was sociable or not, he was
committed for the evening. 1t wasn't too bad, though; he
could get drunk at Saint Pete's as we'll as anywhere else.
THEIR DESTINATION was a sprawling, converted barn
on the outskirts of town. Operated by a SlX-fOot Portuguese
nicknamed Saint Pete, it was a FOSTERING, dimlylit night
spot. When Myra and Bill arrived, the place was packed.
well never find the Others" he said.
When they were finally seated, he asked, "What'l you
have to drink"
"Ginger ale" =
MAYBE THAT'S all you drank at the Sieferts, but
you don't order ginger ale here. Surely you know that"
"Why should | know it? I've never been here before,
and | certainly didn't want to come"
81 didn't! When | said Saint Petes, | meant Saint
Peters, the cathedral downtown. People who go there fire.
quently refer to it as Saint Petes"
Bills MOUTH DROPPED. "Good lord! You mean you
wanted to go to church,"
Her head went up. SIS that fantastic?"
"Of course not. Only Lthat is-oh, forget it. But why
didn't you say something when you realized you'd been
misunderstood"
SHE sHRUGGE Maybe l didn't have the courage.
ANYWAY, the idea wasn't so hot. After all, the Sieferts are
Lutherans; it's quite likely that the others were ProteStants
too"
Bill put a match to a cigarette, drew hard. I'm Catho-
lie" After a moment he added, "But not a very good one"
"Well," Myra said, "even though | would have lik-
ed to go to church, / was being sarcastic when | suggested
it.
THE WAY PEOPLE play up Santa and ignore the
Christ Child! Would you believe it, the Sieferts %fiveyear-
old said to me, 1 bet you didn't know Christmas is Santas
she waved her hand about-"is many adults idea of a
Christmas eve celebration. | was SO mad this evening that
| just clammed up for fear I'd offend someone"
"Wel, now | know why you were SO quiet on the way
out. But have you ever stopped to think that maybe some
people don't want to remember Christmas?"
WHAT ARE YOU talking about?"
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