Who's Next?

One

The Eight Friends + One

Tobey sat at his father’s gravestone and folded his legs in front of him. He was in silence for ten minutes.The absence of any other living being along with the cool and gentle breeze in the graveyard helped him to reflect.

His father, while alive, was more than one could ask from a father. He knew how to father a son and most of all, he loved God like he had met Him in person. His explanation of the word of God was surreal.

“Dad, I have one problem though. You never fully thought me about the Holy Spirit. With your level of understanding, it’s a pain you didn’t. I’m sure you were waiting for your perfect time to teach me – the time you feel I’ll be able to grasp that knowledge. Now, you’re gone. Time was never on our side.”

Tobey pulled out some grass and threw it at his father’s tomb. “Your last words to me were ‘He speaks’. I don’t seem to grasp that at all. Who do refer to? If it’s the Holy Spirit then I know He speaks, I just don’t know how. It’ll be nice for Him to talk out loud.”

He stopped talking to embrace the silence and the calm. He stood up to go home and eat the fried plantain and Jollof rice waiting for him, but he cautioned himself, “Food is for the weak. I would stay here for at least an hour more. Jesus said, can’t you tarry an hour more?” He sat back down.

He pulled out more grass and tore them into pieces, bit by bit. “I don’t know how He speaks but the moment I hear His voice, I will obey. After all, my name is Tobey.”

His phone rang causing him to spring up in shock. He didn’t know he came with it. It was meant to be a solemn time with his dad and he didn’t care who was calling; he wouldn’t pick it up.

He checked to see the caller – It was Stellar. So he picked up the call.

“Hey, Tobey,” she said over the phone. It sounded seductive to him.

“Hey, Stellar.”

“I’ve been thinking about you . . . how are you doing?”

“Thanks, Stellar. I’m doing great. I’m at his gravestone reliving some old memories.”

“I loved your dad so much. He will always remain in my heart too.”

“Yeah . . . he was a good man.”

“Good is an understatement.”

He didn’t respond, but she sensed he nodded and was waiting for her to keep talking.

“I’m somewhere eating plantain and Jollof rice; do you want to join me?” she continued.

“That’s funny. I have the same thing to eat at home but I want to stay here a while.”

“I don’t want to act like your mum but please, try and eat.”

“I’ll eat because of you.” They both laughed a little.

They hung in silence for a few seconds before Tobey spoke, “My dad’s last words to me were ‘He speaks’. What does that mean?”

“I assume it means the Holy Spirit speaks.”

“I know that already. What I don’t know is how.”

“I’m in the same boat as you, Tobey, and till now I’ve not sailed. I’m waiting to hear Him speak.”

“Does He only speak to older people?”

“Hmm . . . I believe you know that’s not the case.”

“Yeah. I like to let every thought out, with you. You’re therapy for me sometimes.”