Midrash on the prayer, “Our Father”

This was written in 2003, I believe. It was also an assignment for one of my English courses. It is based on the prayer, "Our Father," and follows many religious textures and themes, if you will. All in all, it's about love, hope, and forgiveness.

“Amen”, they said in unison as they concluded their post-dinner prayer. The sign of the cross, gently following as the father (the oldest of the two) passes the bread to his only son (the younger of the two). It was a gray and dismal evening that was made perfect by the thunder you could hear and the rain that you could see falling from the sky outside the window. The room is illuminated only by one sixty-watt bulb dangling from the ceiling directly over the table where the on going ritual of dinner at seven for two is taking place. The table resembles, or probably is, one from the seventies that could pass as a five-dollar garage sale special. Yellow as the table’s primary color does not blend in too well with the gray walls that make this room a kitchen. The dishes need to be washed in order to prevent the pile in the sink from falling over and crashing down onto the gray, faded and torn vinyl floor. The twelve-year old son, Jesse, usually stared around the room and it made him sigh.
“Dad..” he said after his viewing.

“Yes?”

After realizing that his opinion or comments on their dwelling would probably put more of a damper on the night, Jesse decided to refrain.

“Never mind Dad, nothing.”

His father clearly understood through Jesse’s facial expression what he wanted to say.

“I know it’s not much kiddo. But it’s a roof over our heads. I mean, take a look outside. That’s some bad stuff out there.”

Dad said this in intervals through his chewing.

“Hey kiddo, I know what you’re feeling. And I know that it’s been hard since we lost your mother. But, you have to believe me when I tell you that everything will be ok and we’ll see some blue skies very soon. And, as for our roof over our heads, call it our little heaven on earth, ok?”

Dad winked at Jesse as a sign of reassurance.

“Ya.” Jesse said as he played with his bread on the plate.

“I know Dad, we’re gonna be fine. I know we are.” Jesse smiled and reciprocated his sign of reassurance to Dad.

“Eat your bread buddy.” said dad. And Jesse did just that. And just then, the rain stopped and the thunder ceased. Dad and Jesse looked at each other with their eyes wide open and their eyebrows raised up for a few seconds and exploded into laughter. Dad winked at Jesse once more and told Jesse,

“Told you so partner.”

“Yeah, you sure did Dad, that’s just too cool.” Said Jesse. And he smiled once more.

Their times of happiness dissipated after they lost their mother/wife in a car accident. From that moment on, it seemed the days went from bright and sunny to dark and rainy. Whether or not this was complete coincidence, Dad and Jesse did not know. But what Dad and Jesse did know was that their family member was gone and would never come back. But, they had faith. And their faith would carry them through the hard times like a soft and gentle hand. Dad spends the majority of his time laboring at a steel mill in order to make what little ends they have meet. He cares for Jesse. He loves Jesse. Dad is well liked at work. His co-workers love Dad. They understand the responsibility that is required to carry on without the one you love, and raising a son properly in this world that can be so cruel now-a-days. The co-workers admire him for that and also his amazing ability to love and care for anyone without effort. One worker once said he would give the shirt off his back for Dad. Another bragged and said without remorse that he would gladly give Dad his week’s pay to help him out. But Dad would never accept such charity. Dad appreciated the kind gestures, but his attitude and response would be, “no, no, you save that kinda love for you and your family.” This kind of response baffled the workers and would usually shake their heads in disbelief at how any one man could express so much unselfish love for all. And this, of course made the co-workers love Dad unconditionally. Everyone loved Dad, as did his son Jesse.

Jesse was a sixth grader and was full of joy everyday despite his daily obstacles. He was seven years old when he lost his “mommy”. As a daily reminder that his mom’s death was not in vain, he carried a picture of her in his notebook. Dad continued the upbringing henceforth. Jesse was proud of his Dad, and was also looked up to by his teachers and fellow students. Jesse, like Dad, displayed unconditional love for everyone in school and out of school. He is a quiet child, but very smart. To many students he was very well liked. To a small few, he was despised. One day, after recess, Jesse returned to his classroom and sat at his desk. As he opened his notebook, he noticed that the picture of his mother was gone. Lost in his agony and dumbfounded, he sat there staring at the space where the picture was for what seemed to be hours, but was only a few seconds. As he sat there he noticed the other students were holding their breath staring in Jesse’s direction but above him. Jesse heard a sinister laugh from behind him. As he turned around, he noticed Roman “snake-eyes” Bissetti holding the picture in his right hand laughing at Jesse. Perturbed, all Jesse could do was stare and hope that “snake eyes” would not harm the photograph. “Snake-eyes” earned his name by his ruthless lunch money stealing, after school fighting techniques, and his light brown, almost red eyes that squinted sinisterly when he laughed. He was tall, lanky, and had red hair, and an abundance of freckles on his face. His braces seemed to resemble steel fangs, as his mouth wouldn’t open completely when he sneered and laughed. He had the class’s attention.

“Aw, so this is your mommy?” he asked Jesse.

“C’mon “snake eyes” please don’t hurt the picture.” Pleaded Jesse.

“Oh, you wouldn’t want me to do this would you?” said “snake eyes” as he grabbed the middle of the photograph and tore it down the middle in a straight line. He went on to tear the rest of the picture leaving only pieces.

“Nooooo!” screamed Jesse as he witnessed this malicious act.

“Snake eyes” laughed hard and threw the pieces at Jesse’s face.

“Listen here punk, you wanna do something about it?” sneered “snake eyes”.

“Yes, I do.” Replied Jesse.

“Then meet me tomorrow after school, in the front. We’ll settle matters there. I own this school; I can’t have you getting all my attention. Just who do you think you are? You meet me tomorrow after school, you hear!?” Snake eyes” was yelling with drops of spit landing on Jesse’s face.

“Don’t tempt me “snake”, I will do it.” Said Jesse.

“Then back it up hero. I can hardly wait.” He said.

And with this “snake eyes” laughed hard and exited the room.

The class gasped and some cried as they saw Jesse slumped over in his desk crying. He wiped his eyes, got up and ran home. Dad arrived to find his son hurt and crying. As Jesse explained to Dad what had happened, Dad simply replied, “Kiddo, that was a picture. You don’t need a picture to remind you of your mother, do you?” Dad had his hand on Jesse’s shoulder and the two were sitting on the floor. Through tear covered eyes and a runny nose, Jesse stared at his Dad as he spoke to him.

“I’m gonna get that rat Dad!” he said.

“I’m gonna get him real good Dad! I’m gonna show him. In front of everyone!” he continued.

Dad replied with a smile, “No you’re not Jess. You’re going to forgive him.”

“What?!”

“Yes sir, you are. Your mother’s memory is in your heart, and you don’t need a picture to remind you of her. You’re going to forgive him, and you will not give in to his offer to fight you, you hear?”

“I don’t understand Dad. Why can “snake” do what he does to me and I can’t do it back to him?”

“You will come across people who are gonna be jealous of you. You’re a good kid. There’s gonna be people who hate you. That don’t matter kid. You need to forgive and love. You don’t need to fight. It’s always stronger to forgive than to throw a punch, trust me on this kid. Ok? You wanna ruin the image you’ve got? The one that has people loving you? No, I didn’t think so. To forgive is more powerful than to hit. Promise me you’re gonna do just that, ok?”

“Yes sir.” Jesse said as he wiped his eyes and sniffed.

The next day after school, the crowd of kids gathered in the front of school waiting for the confrontation between “snake” and Jesse. “Snake eyes” was already there in the middle of the circle waiting for Jesse cursing out loud that he would not show. “Jesse your hero is a coward, he ain’t showing.” He yelled.

And just then, Jesse arrived and calmly entered the circus wearing his backpack. The crowd silenced.

“So, what’s the deal punk? Are you going to show your fan club how tough you are? I’m ready punk.” Began “snake”.

“Yes, I am “snake”. I sure am.” Said Jesse.

“Then bring it on boy!” yelled Snake.

“O.k. snake, I will.”

With this, Jesse removed his backpack and approached “snake”.

“I want you to know that I forgive you snake. It’s ok. And I don’t hate you. Is that cool?” said Jesse.

Jesse approached “snake” closer and embraced him. Stunned, “snake eyes” backed off and screamed, “I don’t want your pity fag! Get your hands off me!”

“Snake eyes” spit at Jesse’s feet and ran off. The children were stunned and were silent as Jesse grabbed his backpack from the ground and exited the circle to walk home. As he was leaving the school grounds, Jesse could hear the crowd clapping.

Dad was proud of his son- for he had once again led him in the right direction. Jesse was also proud of his Dad- for he had instilled a life long moral lesson in his heart, and it felt good. Once again, a few weeks later they met at the table for dinner at seven for two. Jesse explained to Dad how his guidance is making him a stronger person and how good it feels to forgive and love.

“I don’t know where this is going Dad, but it sure does feel good.” He explains.

“Happiness forever Jess,” Dad says with a smile.

“Happiness forever……” he repeats as he winks.

Jesse smiles in return and looks out the window. His eyes widen and his eyebrows rise as he turns to look at his Dad and says, “Dad look! The sun is peeking through the clouds! It’s coming out!”

Dad smiles and says, “Told you so.”

Jesse is smiling and says, “I love you Dad.”

“Love you too kid. Now eat your bread.”

He winks.