Happy – um – Sunday

By: Heidi L. Lane

 

“You m- you – ” Duncan stops and looks at his companion, “So I can’t say any words with that – um – ”

“Not until Sunday night, Duncan,” Hugh says, grinning slyly.

“This Sunday?” Duncan shrills in dismay, “But, Hugh, that’s… Hugh!  How am I to – um – put forth my homily without saying any words with – um…” Duncan trails off, trying to find words to say what’s on his mind.

“I didn’t say it wouldn’t be difficult; but it is fun,” Hugh says, his look saying what kind of fun is on his mind, “And I’m doing it too.”

“Thomas will…” Duncan starts and stops, chuckling and thinking about what his archbishop will say about this task which Hugh thought such fun.

“I know,” Hugh says, squinting in mirth.

“Sw- oh, my – and I say King -” Duncan stops just prior to saying it.

“No and you can’t say why,” Hugh points out, laughing.

“Oh my,” Duncan says softly, imagining Thomas and his King’s thoughts on this humorous constraint Hugh had hit upon.  “H- um – Good day, Thomas,” Duncan calls noting that man’s arrival.

“Duncan, Hugh, good day,” Thomas says, smiling.

“Um, Thomas… about that homily this Sunday?”

“What about it, son?” Thomas asks.

“Can you do it?  I can’t think of what to say.”

“All right.  I don’t think a soul would mind my saying in place of you, if you don’t wish to.”

“Thanks,” Duncan says warmly.

“I should go and think about my homily, so it’s standing by on Sunday.”

Duncan looks at Hugh and asks softly, “Who will do yours for you?”

Hugh looks anxious and slightly angry at his companion and says, “You…!” Thomas stops at the door and looks back at his two junior bishops, curious as to what is going on.

 

Fin