There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way

--From the Gospel of Luke

Chapter 2: Euphoric

Don went with Chris McGregor for a sandwich. It was late, but McGregor didn’t seem to mind. Don knew that Don’s euphoric nature was intoxicating as he sounded like an iPod stuck on replay recounting the events of the night as if Christine Amanpour.

“**** tonight was surreal, Chris,” Don kept saying. McGregor nodded.

“Who knew that people believed in these crazy metaphors as real life. I mean who knew that anyone would believe this stuff.”

Don wanted more of that and he didn’t even know why. He gave no thought to manners and just talked and chewed and talked and chewed. McGregor just listened. He was always good at that.

Don just knew that this was a new high and he wanted to continue the conversation. He got home, but didn’t go to bed right away, he grabbed his computer and pecked out a message to the other Chris—Chris Plekenpol, Type A Chris.

Tue 11/6/2007 10:48 PM

Hey Chris,

Good seeing you tonight. I’ve missed your smart-ass comments toward me. I didn’t get to fully appreciate the nuance of Chris last time, since you had to leave so soon. Tonight was surreal. I have never been in a conversation with 3 other Christian guys and I did feel overwhelmed. It was a high for me I didn’t want to come down from. Why? Hell, if I know, I never have had that opportunity. I really enjoyed it.

Tonight after group, I went to grab a sandwich with Chris McGregor, He’s cool, and I‘m grateful for his friendship. He is real; I can scent bull**** a mile away, usually. I have been conned, but not easily.  Are you for real? I will find out if you’re full of ****. Don’t try to pull one over on me. I won’t bull**** you. Fair?

I get you from the book, at least the Iraq part, but the analogies? Like I said tonight, is everything a Christian analogy—even spilling coffee? It’s sorta over whelming to grasp. You’re overwhelming to grasp. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO LISTENING TO YOUR OPINIONS, IF YOU’RE NOT REAL WITH ME, YOU WILL LOSE ANY RESPECT YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED. I know I sound like an ass, but this Christian thing is affecting me and I’m cautious as to what I put into my mind. I hope you can appreciate my candidness, I don’t know how to be anything other than who I am, sorry.

 Thanks again for your cockiness, I do get that. 

Don.

He hit send and smiled at his own wit. That was a good email. Don left his computer in the study and went to the bedroom where his partner was already asleep. He kissed him on the cheek and got in bed—but couldn’t sleep. He thought about Jesus and Christians and what their real motive was. He would find out.