11 - Chase...

He wanted to shout for Juan to hold up; however, he didn’t want to make an even greater scene.  He wanted to chase after him; however, he had to wait for the check.  

Job 19:26, “And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.”(ESV)

​Carlos was speechless after he saw the picture.  However, nothing could have prepared him for what he just witnessed.  This very emotional interaction with Juan and their new mystery waitress.  He had so many questions, there was so much confusion.  However, in the midst of the moment, he couldn’t seem to get word out of his mouth.  

Noticing the other patron’s staring, Carlos motioned for another waitress and requested to-go boxes and the check.  However, at the same time, Juan stood up and swiftly began to walk away.  Carlos watched and observed the way people moved away to avoid touching Juan as he walked down the street.  The visual disturbed him, he didn’t really understand.  However, in seconds it was clear.  He had enjoyed Juan’s company to such a degree, that he had all but forgotten his homelessness. 

He wanted to shout for Juan to hold up; however, he didn’t want to make an even greater scene.  He wanted to chase after him; however, he had to wait for the check.  As he waited anxiously, he observed Juan getting smaller, and smaller, and smaller, until he was gone in the crowd of people. 

The check finally came.  He paid, packed up both plates, and placed the boxes in separate bags.  He tossed a tip on the table and started to take off.  However, after only 3 strides he stopped on a dime, jogged back to the table, recovered the pen from the check folder and grabbed a napkin. 

​On the napkin he wrote ‘Eva (Selena)’ stuffed it into his pocket and took off down the street, praying to find Juan.  He retraced his steps all the way to his original position; however, the search was unsuccessful.  After an hour of additional searching, he finally accepted defeat.  He walked back to the place where they first met, left Juan’s meal prayerfully there, walked to the bus stop, and boarded the No. 9 bus home.

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