She got Mother-Theresa-like into my cab in her brown dress and said:
“To Saint Augustine Cathedral, on Broadway.”
Saint Augustine was on the other side of town; at least a thirty-dollar ride. Praise the Lord.
“Nice morning, huh?” I said.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “Another blessed day.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
“How long you been driving a cab?”
“Seems like since the world began.”
“You must like it.”
I didn’t say anything to that.
Then she asked me: “Do you know what traveling mercies are?”
“I think I saw them on YouTube once.”
“Traveling mercies are a gift from God that can be given from one person to another.”
“Huh.”
“Well,” she said, “if you will permit me, I would like to bestow upon you some traveling mercies.”
“This isn’t gonna hurt, is it?” I said.
“No. It will calm your soul.”
“All right, then.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and said, “I bestow upon you many traveling mercies for this day and the days to follow.”
“That’s it?” I said.
“That’s pretty much it,” she said.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Everyone deserves some traveling mercies. It’s a crazy world out there.”
“Amen, sister.”
***
This is an excerpt from Mather Schneider’s new memoir, 6 to 6. You can purchase the book from Terror House Press here.
Mather Schneider is a writer living in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. He has had many stories and poems published and has four books on Amazon. Mather is also the author of 6 to 6, available from Terror House Press.
