Watch where you walk, he said. The cats aren’t trained. They just go wherever they want; do whatever they want. One of them, I think it was the brown and white one, pissed on my pillow. He and I had some words, he told his guest.

Boxes were all over the old man’s trailer. Cardboard boxes containing Christmas lights, old 45’s, albums, Hustler magazines, pots, and pans. He’d never put things away since he moved into the trailer park some ten years ago. He just let things stack up. Piles of unpaid bills on the coffee table. A rusted coffee maker. Plastic cups with piss in them.

Maybe I should keep a tidier ship, he said while wiping his nose on his sleeve. I can’t be held responsible for what these cats have done, he said.

Folks from the church want to help you. Your boys said you needed some help. Do you? she asked.

My boys?

Yes. They go to our church. They said you needed help.

What kind of church?

Evangelical. Christian.

Evangelical? Those boys were raised Catholics. Evangelical?

Yes. Your boys have been born again.

Born again? What was wrong with the first time?

She laughed. I’ll send some men from the church over to help you clean the place. Make it better for you. Would you like that?

Born again?

Yes. They are Christians. And they are fine boys. Good men.

I never see them anymore. They never come by. Not since I moved in here. Used to come by the old place. When their mom was alive. That was a while ago. He sat in his easy chair. Born again? People do that, huh?

Everyday. Every day, they come to Christ.

I think I’ll stay home. You got a cigarette?

I don’t smoke.

I sure could use one. Take all this in. My boys are born again?

Yes sir. 

Well, I’ll be.