Book Read Free

Exploring Cassy

Page 16

by Margaret Guthrie

At one point, David started talking about his next life plan. He’d been looking into the availability of parents. He had started a list of requirements. They had to be young professionals, like physicians or scientists, or college professors in theology or philosophy, or research in that area. They had to not have other children. His last life with Christian fundamentalists hadn’t worked out very well. He considered Mormon, but since he wanted to go in as a girl, he didn’t think that would give him the freedom he needed. Then there was Islam, Buddhist, Native American, mainline Protestants, Catholic. He rejected them all. They seemed too familiar. That left Hinduism, and India.

  “India,” Salvador said, with a tone that suggested he thought David was crazy. “All those masses of beggars and cows? Which are you going to be?” he said, his aura shaking in amusement.

   David scowled at him.

   “Oh, you’re going to be a Brahmin,” Salvador teased. “Isn’t that what they call those...?”

  David cut him off. “I’m not interested in castes. I’ve found a couple who live in a city where they follow a yoga tradition. They are both respected doctors.”

  I couldn’t help but notice that David thought Salvador pretty ignorant of religion. In fact, so ignorant that he wasn’t going to bother with more explanation.

   “They know how to love a child,” David said. “They desire that their child be educated. They’ll support whatever religious work their child decides to do.” David said this with such certainty that Salvador just looked at him and stayed silent.

   “Well, then, guess you’re all set,” Salvador said.  “I suppose I’ll see you sometime on Earth.”

  Counselor nodded. “Yes, your paths will cross in adult life.” Then, as if a clarification was still needed, she pointed out that growing up with the parents David had chosen he had the opportunity to balance out the resentments David had formed, and help him see other points of view. “And India is many things, Salvador. Perhaps you might try it some life time.” She glowed at Salvador in a tender way, so that he almost melted into a humble indistinct light.

  ***

 

‹ Prev