The school bell rang. “I see you like the Rolling Stones!” I noticed that his black binder was displaying a large red tongue pertruding from big red juicy lips – a symbol any rock ‘n roll fan has grown to know and love. In my own awkwardness, it was the only thing I could think of to spark conversation.
Zach is a tall, skinny kid with long black hair and mustache. He is way too young to be sporting a mustache. He sat in the back of class every day at school without saying a word to anyone. He showed up wearing the same thing every morning – army pants and a black hoody with the picture of an electric guitar slapped from across the waist up over the right shoulder. The dirt between his fingernails said a lot less than his wide blue eyes. He was so excited that I was talking to him.
“Charlie, I really liked your presentation!” he said. I don’t know if he really liked it or not, but he sure did want my attention. “Thanks!” I said, as my brain began scattering for other words to show that I cared he was talking and yet still not cross that imaginary guy-to-guy line of speaking too intimately (you know the one… it’s like saying, “I like your hair” to another guy but making sure you don’t take another step further by saying, “do you think you could show me how to do it sometime?”)
We exchanged a few more hesitant words and then went our separate ways. I couldn’t let go of that look in eyes, though. I ran to my car, pressed eject, and then pulled a CD from the console. It was one of my favorites. I have rocked many miles on those brilliant tunes.
Returning quickly to the classroom, I handed him my past times and said, “I think you might like this.”
I hope he likes it. I really hope that maybe he will hear what my heart couldn’t tell him. Most of all, I hope he hears a God who knows him beyond that guy-to-guy line. But, I guess that’s a Whole ‘Nother Deal…
Tags: CD, Faith, God, guitar, Guys, Jesus, lips, love, Man, Manhood, Religion, Rock 'n Roll, Rolling Stones, School, Student, Teacher, tongue, Waterdeep, Youth
January 18, 2008 at 1:52 pm |
what?! you gave away my favorite CD!!!! :) You rock
January 18, 2008 at 3:48 pm |
What CD did you give him?
January 18, 2008 at 6:49 pm |
You can either click on the word “CD” or the phrase “Whole ‘Nother Deal”