Oct 26, 2011 01:11
When I reach the Dupont Circle north station entrance at exactly 5pm, neither friend is there. Aside from a flower vendor selling monstrously huge bouquets and a man (late 30s/early 40s?) eyeing me behind his sunglasses, everybody is hustling, moving to their next destination. I reach for The Weight of Glory in my bag to pass the time. As I begin reading, Mr. Sunglasses starts inching closer. And closer. Finally-
"What are you reading?"
"Oh some C.S. Lewis."
"The Christian author?"
"Yes."
"Are you Christian?"
"..yes." Warily.
A pause.
"What's the book about?"
"It's a collection of essays that he wrote." [Incorrect! a collection of sermons]
"When did he write them?"
"I think it was in the 50s?" [Incorrect again! Most of the sermons were in the 40s. Strangers make me say stupid things]
"Ah I see."
Another pause.
And then we move on to the weather, where we are from, where we went to school, our jobs, etc. He seemed to be a nice guy, which made me wish I had been more forthcoming and engaged. He gave me his email for networking purposes - haven't decided whether or not to contact him. But was he actually interested in the book? In me? Was I right to be so guarded?
***
"Obedience is the road to freedom, humility the road to pleasure, unity the road to personality."
"There lies the maddening ambiguity of our faith as it must appear to outsiders. It sets its face relentlessly against our natural individualism; on the other hand, it gives back to those who abandon individualism an eternal possession of their own personal being, even of their bodies."
- C.S. Lewis, "Membership"