Hot with Embarisment

“Nice day today!” said Fr. D as we passed on the sidewalk:

“Yes! Yes!” I agreed enthusiastically. “Just hot enough.”

He gave me a puzzled look. He paused. Finally, he said “You’re welcome(?).”

It was my turn to give Fr. D a puzzled look. Both of us, looking bewilderedly at each other, went on our separate ways.

As I walked along, I reflected on how odd it must be for Fr. D here in the States, having just moved here from Africa. He spoke very poor English, was used to different food, and certainly this cool spring day must be an adjustment for him temperature-wise.

At that moment, it hit me; I stopped walking; I was too shocked to move. He wasn’t commenting on the weather; he was paying me a compliment! He actually had said: “You look nice today.”

I wonder if that was the first time in this priests life someone had so wholeheartedly and enthusiastically agreed with him when he told them they looked nice. It most certainly was the first time I have so vehemently agreed with a compliment on my looks by exclaiming: “Yes, yes, just hot enough!”