Free Day

Coming back from my run just now and walking on W51st near the rectory and little garden where I often say a prayer for you, my little sweetheart, I am stopped by three young nuns in full habit regalia, each with a large takeout beverage cup complete with drinking straw in their hands. "It's free Slurpee Day at 7-11", one says to me smiling. "You gotta get over there." Another proceeds to helpfully tell me where the nearest is on 8th Avenue. I ask what flavor they have. "Any flavor you like!" No, no I mean, which flavor did each of you choose, I'm wondering. The leader, the conversation starter, the nun who has spoken to me before - I remember her once telling me after she saw me saying my prayer for you near the statue of the Virgin Mary and told me after, told me at the time "she hears you"- tells me now that she got banana. The shyer of them says, "blue raspberry". Nice, I say before the last of them says, somewhat curiously sheepish, as if she regrets her perfectly delicious choice, suffering from free buyers remorse, "cherry coke". I don't know if I just look like I could really use a Slurpee or if the enthusiasm of the adventure has led to this kind of cold soft drink evangelism but there you have it. "Bless you", my favorite one says. And God bless you, all of you, I reply. And then I stop and say your prayer...