18 - Story...

I mean, again, if you don’t mind, but… what’s your side of the story?

Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”(ESV)

​Suddenly, within the mind of Carlos, there were things about Juan that started to make sense to him.  

He remembered that Juan introduced himself as Juan Vargas, when in all actuality, he was famously known as Juan Ramirez.  Carlos concluded that this false introduction was an attempt to hide his shamed past from a college kid, who obviously didn’t know him.  He also remembered how Juan asked to sit outside, desiring not to sit indoors.  He could only conclude that maybe he did this because he knew how likely it was that he’d be seen by Selena. 

Carlos then thought, why wouldn’t he ask to go somewhere else?  Why did he stay?  But, he then had to assume that if he were homeless, and someone offered him a free meal, he’d also probably take his chances and hope for the best. 

He remembered how he left the meal and walked away broken.  He then thought…

“Hey, are you there,” asked Selena.

Startled, but back to reality he replied, “Yes, I’m sorry.”  However, these thoughts prompted him to say, “I know you don’t know me, and if you’d rather not answer, I understand.  But… would you mind helping me to understand this story better?  I mean, again, if you don’t mind, but… what’s your side of the story?”

Selena took a very long pause.  She then slowly pulled out a cigarette and was preparing to light it.  She stopped and said, “6 years…”

Looking at Carlos and then the cigarette, she said, “It’s been 6 years since I stopped this.  And after just one sight of him, it was as if I had never quit smoking.”

She began to tell her story to Carlos.  Like Juan’s version, she shared the detailed account of their luxuries.  She talked about his days as an investment VP.  She detailed his success, his fast-tracked promotions, and even his elaborately decorated office in almost symmetric-agreement with Juan’s account. 

However, after that, the similarities of the stories ended. 

​She slowly and emotionally said, “He was king in his office.  Beloved by his investors.  But to his family, his kids, he was a...”

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