The First Test

So the first test for New Fella is underway. I knew it was coming. He talks about church. I talk about church. The question was inevitable.....

"So, what church do you go to?"

All the nasty misinformation and stereotypes flash through my mind before I answer. This was often a deal-breaker in the Bible-belt of Texas, where not being a Baptist means you're condemned to hell for eternity. But maybe it's different here, where there are many, many more of us....

"I'm a Mormon. We go to the chapel right up the road from your house."

A small silence.

"Really? I didn't know there were any Mormons in Texas!"

I said something about not being a very good Mormon, but I try, and he laughed it off. We talk a bit about the hazards of not being Baptist in Texas, and about the "rules" of missionary life for those young guys. I still think I could hear some hesitation in his voice, some surprise.

Suddenly, it turned into a commercial. The call was dropped. No kidding.

I put the phone away. Got gas. Listened to my book on CD a bit. The phone rang, and I was glad to see it was him.

We chatted about nothing, then he came back to the point.

"So, since we were on the topic of 'rules'...."

Here it comes. What will he ask about? The no smoking? No drinking? The no unmarried sex? And how will I explain where my failings are....

"Is there a rule about you dating someone outside of the church?"

Ah, that I can handle easily. But I wonder...is this what he's been thinking about asking since the call dropped?

"No, there's no rule. In fact, I know a lot of women from church who are married to men who aren't." He's curious about this. We end up discussing my family's religious background, which is really varied.

I can't tell if it helped put him at ease. We'll see, as the weekend draws near. How he handles this will tell me a lot.