Entry #31

Seeing the Light
by Wayne Scheer


While driving home from a Secular Humanist meeting, Charlie stopped at a red light in a deserted part of town. A car raced through the intersection and clipped the back of his vehicle, deploying the air bags.

Groggy, he crawled out of his auto, noting that the other car had left the scene.

"Damn it," he shouted.

With that, a sharp pain shot through his chest. He fell to his knees and vomited. Looking around for help, he called out into the night, trying desperately to remain conscious.

In the distance, he saw a faint light and held his hand up towards it. He recalled the stories at his meeting where people claimed to see the light of the Lord just before losing consciousness. Members explained the phenomenon using science and logic. He stared as the light grew larger and the pain more severe. Engulfed in the light, he collapsed.

Charlie opened his eyes, responding to another light.

A soothing male voice spoke. "Mr. Cummings? Charles Cummings?"

Charlie nodded. "What happened? Where am I?"

"All we know is these people over here were driving down the street and saw you passed out. Looks like someone smashed into your car. "

Charlie tried to talk, but the man stopped him. "Shh. You may have some broken ribs. "

His brain slowly unscrambled. What he had seen was a headlight, not God beaming him home. Charlie smiled, his lack of faith reconfirmed, and let the medical people do their job.