She had been a nun for almost 50 years and didnt very honestly give much thought to what went on outside of the ivied walls of the large compound, even though just a few miles away on the other side of the Hudson River lay the island of Manhattan which now loomed impossibly broad through the windshield of the taxi; it was the first time she had been outside of the small suburb where her cathedral was in nearly 20 years and the first time she had ever been to N.Y.C. And to think that it had already been six months since the funeral.
The final words of Sister Katherine had echoed through Elizabeths mind for almost half a year. Wake up Elizabeth, cant you see, if there was really a god out there, than how could he put one of his creatures through what I have been through? What kind of a god could do this to me?
What kind of god? Elizabeth thought to herself as she uncapped the flask of Tullemore Dew which she held as if she expected and answer from it. Just as she was taking a drink the cabby made eye contact with her.
Heh, I didnt know you guys were allowed to do that.
Elizabeth didnt respond, she finished taking her drink, hoping it would induce some sort of relief.
Somethin botherin ya sister?
Elizabeth gazed out the window as if she might find the answer to all of her questions in the Manhattan skyline.
Dont try to deny it sister, I can tell when somebody needs to talk and your expressions mind as well be screamin at me. The taxi driver paused, but got no response from the nun.
I never did buy in to that whole religion thing; what are ya Catholic?
Elizabeth nodded, and then gulped more whiskey hoping to drown out the taxi drivers inane comments.
What is that ya got there, whiskey? The cabby proceeded to answer his own question not expecting a response.
Yeah, thats whiskey I can smell it all the way up here. Whats and old gal like you doing swilling stuff like that?
He again received no response, unfazed the cabby pressed on. I went to Sunday school and all that crap, it taught me not to steal, or kill, but that just seems like common sense to me. I dont need some religion to tell me that, its just the basic rules of society.
The cabby rambled on, while Elizabeth was lost in thought. Shed had six months to question and destroy a belief system that she had devoted her life to. Her mind was set, she was done. The city would be her new life and no one could stop her. Elizabeth had given up, her faith all but destroyed.
The taxi pulled up to a fairly run down building in a traditionally Irish part of town. Here we are hon! Are you sure you wanna get out here? This is a pretty rough neighborhood.
Elizabeth had begun to grab her things when the cabby turned around and made eye contact with her. Remember hon, the world needs people like you. Not because of that religion crap, but for a shoulder to lean on. You dont need religion for that, just strength in yourself, and strength from within is more powerful than any sort of religion.
Elizabeth got out of the cab in silence, and the car quickly sped away. The cabbies final words were echoing through the worn out nuns head, drowning out Katherines. As she looked up at the buildings that loomed over her a smile came across her face as if a new definition of faith and a new purpose in life had been given to her.
The final words of Sister Katherine had echoed through Elizabeths mind for almost half a year. Wake up Elizabeth, cant you see, if there was really a god out there, than how could he put one of his creatures through what I have been through? What kind of a god could do this to me?
What kind of god? Elizabeth thought to herself as she uncapped the flask of Tullemore Dew which she held as if she expected and answer from it. Just as she was taking a drink the cabby made eye contact with her.
Heh, I didnt know you guys were allowed to do that.
Elizabeth didnt respond, she finished taking her drink, hoping it would induce some sort of relief.
Somethin botherin ya sister?
Elizabeth gazed out the window as if she might find the answer to all of her questions in the Manhattan skyline.
Dont try to deny it sister, I can tell when somebody needs to talk and your expressions mind as well be screamin at me. The taxi driver paused, but got no response from the nun.
I never did buy in to that whole religion thing; what are ya Catholic?
Elizabeth nodded, and then gulped more whiskey hoping to drown out the taxi drivers inane comments.
What is that ya got there, whiskey? The cabby proceeded to answer his own question not expecting a response.
Yeah, thats whiskey I can smell it all the way up here. Whats and old gal like you doing swilling stuff like that?
He again received no response, unfazed the cabby pressed on. I went to Sunday school and all that crap, it taught me not to steal, or kill, but that just seems like common sense to me. I dont need some religion to tell me that, its just the basic rules of society.
The cabby rambled on, while Elizabeth was lost in thought. Shed had six months to question and destroy a belief system that she had devoted her life to. Her mind was set, she was done. The city would be her new life and no one could stop her. Elizabeth had given up, her faith all but destroyed.
The taxi pulled up to a fairly run down building in a traditionally Irish part of town. Here we are hon! Are you sure you wanna get out here? This is a pretty rough neighborhood.
Elizabeth had begun to grab her things when the cabby turned around and made eye contact with her. Remember hon, the world needs people like you. Not because of that religion crap, but for a shoulder to lean on. You dont need religion for that, just strength in yourself, and strength from within is more powerful than any sort of religion.
Elizabeth got out of the cab in silence, and the car quickly sped away. The cabbies final words were echoing through the worn out nuns head, drowning out Katherines. As she looked up at the buildings that loomed over her a smile came across her face as if a new definition of faith and a new purpose in life had been given to her.