“What hour is it?” The old man whispered.

“There is still time.”

“Hmmm. You are still here.”

“I told you I would not leave you.”

There was silence in the room.

“I know. But I really didn’t expect you to stay.”

“Why? Why would I leave you?”

The old man struggling with the words, his mouth dry, his lips quivering, he cleared his throat and said, “You know why.”

“It makes no difference now. It is done. It is over.”

“Why did you stay?”

“I promised you.”

The man swallowed hard, blinked his eyes a few times nervously and continued.

“Where were you when Mildred died?”

“Right there waiting.”

“I never saw you.”

“She smiled right before she passed. I was there in her smile.”

“Where were you when my son overdosed on drugs?”

“I was there when he was healed of his addiction.”

“Where were you when the neighbor boy was killed in the war?”

“I was there on the roadside waiting for the final roll call.”

“Where were you….”

“I have always been there. I am there in the pain. I am there in the sorrow. I am there in the joy and laughter, today and tomorrow. I am there when you think you are alone. I am there when you are lost and can’t find your way home. I am there at the crossroads and the turns in your life. I am there in the struggle, anguish and strife. I am there when you’re standing I am there when you fall. I am there when you are sleeping. I am there when you call. I was there in the beginning. I’ll be there in the end.

I made you a promise that I will not fail you.”

The old man was still.

“What hour is it now?”

“It has been a long way for you to come home. It is the hour now.”

The old man reaches out his hand and says, “Take my hand God, please?”

“I never let it go.”

Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com