The Chapel

Hutch visits the hospital chapel.

Prompt: US National Clergy Appreciation Day. First published 2022.

The first time, he’d gone there just to cry.

The second time, he’d gone there to get away from the sound of beeping machines.

The third time, he didn’t know why he’d gone there, but after a few minutes of staring blankly into space a man came and sat beside him. Why? There were plenty of chairs free in the chapel? Why couldn’t he be left alone in his misery? Wearily, he turned to go and found the man, head bowed, eyes closed and lips moving. He was wearing a dog collar around his neck. Hutch waited.

When the man opened his eyes, he simply nodded at Hutch, smiled gently and then left. Hutch was relieved…then sorry to see him go.

The fourth time, Hutch was on his knees praying hard when he felt a presence beside him and a hand come to rest on his shoulder. On a normal day (in a life that seemed far away but was only three days ago in reality), he wouldn’t have let a stranger get anywhere that close before he’d sized him up and assessed the danger. But life wasn’t normal and his thoughts were entirely focussed on praying for Starsky and a miracle.

He heard the clergyman whispering words then speak a blessing over him. Hutch felt a sense of peace wash over him. Afterwards they talked: stuttering words mixed with tears met words of encouragement and hope.

The fifth time was late on the day the miracle happened. Hutch, still wearing a smile, walked into the chapel to say ‘Thank you’ to the one presiding in heaven and his earthly representative.