Page 22 of Shadow

“You’re listening to the Lady Luck Show on Truth Refugee Radio. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank everyone for tuning in tonight where we will talk about all the latest in the world news and politics and beyond. So, let’s jump right into tonight’s show…”

I made it through my first segment of the show where I talked about the news, the latest prices for gold and silver, current politics and other stuff I found interesting going on around the world.

With the commercial break almost over, I made myself comfortable, because the last segment of my show was what I really enjoyed. I got to talk to the listeners.

“Welcome back to the Lady Luck show. I know you’ve all been waiting, and it’s time. Caller, you are on the air with Lady Luck.”

“Hi Lady, it’s Cherise again.”

“Hi Cherise. How’s the family doing?”

“Oh, the same. Mom is still ragging on me because of my grades.”

“And what did we discuss the last time you called?”

“That patience was the way. I’m trying, Lady Luck, but she’s driving me nuts! She won’t let me go out with that boy I like, and this weekend is homecoming.”

“Have you asked yourself what it is your mom truly wants?”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes, what you perceive as punishment isn’t meant to deny you something, Cherise. Maybe your mom is trying to tell you something.”

“So, I should ask her?”

“Exactly. Go sit down and really talk with your mom. Be honest with her and ask her to do the same.”

“Okay, I will, but if it doesn’t work, I’m calling you right back.”

I laughed. “And I will be here to answer your call,” I said, before disconnecting the call and accepting the next one. “Caller, you are on the air with Lady Luck. How may I help you tonight?”

“Do you really believe in all that mumbo jumbo you talk about?” a deep male voice said. Looking up at Conner, I saw him hanging his head.

Grinning, I sat back in my chair, getting comfortable for the long haul. “And what exactly do you mean by mumbo jumbo?”

“That stuff you talked about the other day. About how we are all part of the universe. That everything we do leaves a footprint in time. What if someone has done bad things? What does that mean for him?”

Sitting up, I frowned. “Everyone does bad things in life. It’s what we do afterward that matters the most. Life isn’t meant to be easy. If it did, it would come with a manual. Is there something specific that you want to discuss?”

The man sighed.

Something was troubling him. I could hear it in his voice. Something was weighing on him heavily. It wasn’t often a male called into the show. Generally, it was women with simple requests or questions like Cherise, who called in nightly. I liked Cherise. She was a sweet girl who, like most teenagers, was overwhelmed and felt as if no one ever listened to them.

However, this man. The one who still hadn’t responded was someone with a real problem. Only I didn’t know what it was until he told me. My job wasn’t to be intrusive. I wanted whoever called to feel comfortable talking about what was wrong. It was not my job to pry it out of them.

“Sir, are you still there?”

“This was a mistake,” he muttered before hanging up.

Looking up at Conner, my sound technician shrugged his shoulders.

“Sometimes life puts us in situations where we feel overwhelmed. That doesn’t make sense or we’re given a choice. It’s what we do in those moments that sometimes haunt us. To the caller who just hung up, I hope you are still listening. I don’t know what is troubling you but know there is a way through the darkness. I don’t know if you are a religious person, but there is a recurring theme in the history of the religion and in theology where people can reestablish or strengthen their relation to the divine. Some people believe that, through God, anything is possible. That if you believe enough, God will show you the path. The process is called atonement. Whatever it is you think you’ve done or are being punished for, you must remove the obstacles before you,” I said, as Conner pointed to his watch.

Nodding, I added, “Well, my universal brothers and sisters, that’s it for me tonight. Thank you for listening to Lady Luck on Truth Refugee Radio. I’ll be back tomorrow night with more news, stories and celestial happenings around the world. Don’t forget this weekend’s Lawton’s Market Festival. Come on out and support local farmers. As always, may the wind always be at your back and the sun, shine warm upon your face. I love you. Take care of yourself and till we meet again.”

The second the on-air sign went off, I leaned back in my chair and sighed.

“You okay, Joan?”

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