Blessing

Two men sit at a table, men like any other at a table like any other. One man is a prisoner, chained to the table. The other man is free. One is a Muslim, the other a Christian. The conversation is animated and light. They listen, laugh, reminisce and speak of what might one day be. Before them is a feast from the vending machines … sandwiches, sodas, coffee, an array of chips and sweets. Each man offers a short blessing for the food and for the other. They eat and talk. Time moves quickly until it is time to go.