Gatekeeper

He tried the doors of the building each one of them locked. He felt ashamed and privately hoped that no one had seen him try the doors. He didnt want to look like he was doing something he shouldnt be. He felt he really should have known it was going to be closed, too late in the day for them not to be. But then again you never know.

He returned up the street to see a small man shuffle towards him. He’s face looked concerned as if he has been lost and rejected from somewhere. “What are you doing here?” he asked puzzled enough to be asking himself the question. He had a gze in his eye to suggest that he was speaking to someone invisible. And though oddly there was a feel of urgency to his voice that said talk softly but carry a big stick. Even though the young man was amused to be asked by such a stranger what he was doing in the middle of the sidewalk he decided to tell her truthfully.

“Oh I was on my way to church to pray thats all.”

“Oh.” The old man said as if had been waiting for those words and was releived to had finally heard them. An invisible weight visibly lifted off the man’s shoulders. “Well I...dont think its open.” He said speaking again as he shuffled away towards the building. The young man looked quitly at the man as he slowly moved away. Still suprised at having to explain himself, but not the least bit annoyed.