Meant To Be

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Hey, Carl, it’s Matthew Timmons,” Matthew said into his cell phone as he walked across campus in the late afternoon sunshine.

Matthew was a grad student at the university. He was studying theology with an eye to becoming a priest. However, he had not yet entered the seminary. He knew a lot of men started seminary right after high school. He felt at that time he wasn’t ready. Instead, he went to a local college for his undergrad degree and then worked for two years at a small Catholic charter school, teaching sixth grade.

He still didn’t feel the time was right to start his formal training for becoming a priest, but had little doubt that’s where he would end up. He’d felt called to the priesthood ever since his days as an altar boy at St. Mary’s parish back home. So he decided to go to grad school, thinking he might as well take some of the required courses he’d have to take when he did finally get to seminary. That way when it did seem like it was time to take the plunge, he’d have a leg up on the course work.

Carl’s phone rang four times. Just as the voicemail message started, Carl interrupted it. “Hey, this is Carl. Sorry, I was in the john,” he said breathlessly.

Matthew laughed. “A little too much information. But I hope everything came out alright.”

“Very funny—but accurate. What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if I could borrow your car?” Matthew asked.

“When?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“Going on a date, I hope,” Carl said in a teasing sort of way.

“Nah, nothing that exciting.”

“Hey, man, you’re not a priest yet. You’re not even a seminarian. Your gonads don’t have to be put on ice right now, ya know. You might as well use ‘em while you can. I read in one of my urology textbooks that lack of ejaculation can lead to prostate troubles.”

Matthew chuckled. “Thanks for the medical advice, Dr. Clark. You can bill me when you actually have M.D. after your name. In the meantime, what about the car?”

“Oh, yeah, sure. You can pick it up anytime. I’ll be in the library all evening. It’ll be parked in my space at the apartment. You know where I hide the keys.”

“The library, huh?” Matthew teased. “Your gonads okay with that? Not a lot of action there.”

“You’d be surprised, my friend. There’s an upper level bathroom that has a pretty good track record. You should check it out sometime.”

Matthew laughed again.

“So, where is Father Timmons going tomorrow anyway?” Carl asked.

“Just going to the gym,” Matthew replied.

“Want to keep that bod toned and ready just in case, right?”

“No, want to stay healthy, Dr. Clark. Just want to stay healthy.”

“If you say so,” Carl said.