Jack Henry

prayers

she suggests we pray
my eyes gaze up
at her
bewildered
‘now?’ i ask

i push her legs wider
move in
closer

i resume

‘maybe not,’
she says breathlessly

i listen to the clock
ticking
a cat
meowing
a door
squeaking

‘you should stop,’
she says
abruptly

i comply

‘we should pray’

she kneels next to me
on the motel floor
hands folded
eyes closed
‘heavenly father…’
she starts

five minutes pass
her sins washed
‘where were we?’
she asks
we resume
my prayer

answered