Writing Exercise #7

“Hi, God, it’s me Rollins,” the boy started. He figured God would know it was him anyway, but it wouldn’t hurt to give a little reminder. “How are you doing today?” Rollins also figured that God had to listen to enough problems, maybe he wanted people to ask him about his day.

Not bad, kid, not bad. There’s been some ups and downs, but I knew they were coming.

“I suppose,” Rollins replied, mulling God’s response over, “That kind of comes with the job, doesn’t it?”

You’re a bright kid.

It’s not every day that the Creator of the world says you’re smart, and Rollins couldn’t help smiling. He stopped for a second and toed the ground with his sneaker, then kept walking toward the bus stop. Rollins always talked to God on the way to school. He didn’t actually talk out loud, he just whispered quietly, and if anyone was nearby he just talked in his mind. He figured God would hear him either way.

“So I have this question,” Rollins started, a little unsure of how to start.

I know.

“I suppose you would know my question, wouldn’t you, being God and all?”

Yes.

“Then what do you think?” Rollins asked, quickly moving past the actual asking of the question.

I think deep down inside your mom loves you very much, Rollins. In fact, I know she does. But she has a lot of stress in her life. She has a lot of distractions. And sometimes, Rollins, she forgets. She tries to do the best she can for you, I know she’s trying. But she’s not exactly the successful type.

“Can’t you make her successful? That’d make things a whole lot easier. Then she wouldn’t be so distracted,” Rollins suggested, wondering if it could really be that easy.

I certainly could do that, Rollins.

“But you’re not going to, are you?” Rollins asked, quickly seeing that it wouldn’t be that easy.

No, I’m sorry. It won’t be that easy, and I’m afraid things are going to have to get worse before they get better for you, Rollins. I have a lot of spectacular plans for you, but you’re not going to like some of them. Especially when you’re in the midst of them. But that’s the way it has to be.

“That’s the way it has to be?” Rollins asked.

Yes.

“I suppose you’d know, wouldn’t you?” Rollins asked again.

Yes, Rollins, I would know. I appreciate that you acknowledge that. So many people call me God, but then treat me like a magic genie.

“That’s kind of silly,” Rollins said, smiling in spite of himself.

Yeah, it is, isn’t it?

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