James is Max's best friend. James and Max have blue cots next to each other in the homeless shelter. They share a lock box provided by the St. Vincent de Paul society for their few things. James used to be married and has photos in his half of the lock box. Max has never been married and has few mementos on his side. One thing he has is a rosary, which he has not had the courage to use yet. A young student named Will gave it to him last year. Will went into the seminary. James and Max spend quite a lot of time together.
They talk about the "old days" less and less, as Max has memory problems. But, James no longer wants to think about his past. James not only use to be married, but he use to be an alcoholic. Alcoholism ruined his marriage. He has three kids he never sees, as his ex-wife remarried and moved far away to another state. James does not have enough money to visit his kids.
What Max does talk to James about is religion. James is a Catholic. He is an Irish Catholic, but fell away from the Church thirty years ago or so. James is slightly older than Max and claims he fell away in college.
Max knows something James does not know, yet. Max knows that God loves him even though he is homeless. James thinks God hates him, and he is angry about his wasted past. He has not forgiven himself for a messed up life. Today, Max and James decided to walk to the far side of the town. The town, .....ville...has 5,400 inhabitants most of the year, but over 20,000 during the college terms, as a famous, middle-sized university takes over the town nine months out of every year.
James went to that university and even played football. He was a local hero. He met his wife in college and opened a farm implement business just outside of town. James was the J....D....rep. He and his wife did well, as the locals said, but the drinking became more and more part of James' life until Anne left him.
James had refused to change, but he finally did after the divorce, and after Anne remarried Carl. Carl is in the Navy. The couple with the kids moved almost directly across country, over 1000 miles away.
Max tried today to explain to James that he does not have to be perfect to be loved by God. Max tried to explain that Christ forgives and forgets. But, James does not want to forget anything. He lives in the past.
Max wanted James to be open to God today of all days, as this is James' birthday. James asked Max, "Why are we here, anyway?' Max answered, "To give glory to God."
(James does not believe Max). "Then why are we homeless? Why do other drunks have it nice, and here, I am sober, but still homeless?"
Max said he looked at the ground, which was full of green grass and small yellow flowers. They walked a long time to a cafe on the west side of town, where a nice lady usually sells them huge slices of pie "dead cheap".
One of the waitresses seems keen on Max, but Max knows he is too ill for a relationship. Besides, he does not want to get married. He cannot support himself, much less a wife and kids.
James rambled on about how God loves some people more than He does him. "Sure," agreed Max. "God can love anyone how He wants to, but He still loves you. And, maybe, just maybe, He wants you to be homeless just now."
James threw his fork on the table. "What?" He stood up.
Max said, "Sit down. What I mean is we do not know how God loves us. How do we know how God loves? All we know is that He died on the Cross for our sins. He loved us that much."
James answered that he thought Max was stupid and full of daft ideas. Max agreed.
They finished the cherry pie and walked back to the park. (Some people ignore Max and James, but some people say "hi"). James wanted to stop at the auto repair shop where he use to work. Max said, "Sure".
He knew that James wanted to see his old friend Mike. But, Mike was not there. The owner, Bill, told James that Mike was found dead at home, of a massive heart attack. Apparently, Mike's dad died the same way.
Max noted that James was really upset. James seemed in shock. Maybe, thought Max, James never thought about death. Max has thought a lot about death. They walked back to the park slowly. "I cannot believe this. Mike is dead. I just don't get it. Why are we here?"
Max decided not to answer James. Not yet......