Forever Soul Ties

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

—1 Thessalonians 1:2

“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked as he was about ten feet away; close enough for me to hear him, without him having to speak too loudly.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I said, tilting my head ever so slightly as he came to a stop, an arm’s length away from me.

“Well, since I asked first, I think the mannerly thing would be for you to answer my question.”

“Mannerly, huh? Okay then. I was walking. Which now begs the question: are you following me?”

He laughed. “No, I’m not following you.”

“Really now. And you expect me to believe that you just happened to show up at the same park where I happened to be, completely by coincidence?”

“I guess you’ll have to believe it since it’s the truth.” Ethan then began to bounce up and down, the way he does when he’s warming up.

“Well, if you were following me, then you’re too late. I’m finished with my walk and I’m on my way back to the shop.”

He grabbed one side of the top of his head with the opposite hand and tugged it ever so slightly a few times, then switched and did the other side. “So did you have a good workout?”

“Yes, I did. I’m taking it slow; I don’t want to overdo it or anything. I just started back walking a few days ago, getting back into the groove and routine of it after not doing it these past few months. This is only my third time out here. I’m sure you know how that goes.”

“Absolutely.” He began doing lunges, first to the right side, then the left, before bending down to touch his toes.

“Well . . . have a good one,” I said, feeling as though I was bothering him.

He stood up and began to bounce again. “Will do. I’m on vacation . . . church revival this whole week. I came here to work out. Have to keep in shape if I want to keep doing what I do.”

I nodded, then opened my car door.

“Hey!” he said. I turned back toward him. “You’re praying for me, aren’t you?”

I smiled. “Yes.”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding with a smile. “I can tell. I can feel it.” He began to nod more slowly before stopping completely. “Thank you.”

I gave one quick nod of my head, got in my car, and watched him in my rearview mirror as he jogged toward the track.

As much as I was glad that our bumping into each other at the park wasn’t anything more than sheer coincidence, I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed that he hadn’t had more to say to me.