To the dearest readers in the world: I am writing to clarify that my online column of Thursday, April 17, was a work of fiction. I mentioned in a piece in early January that I might experiment this year, try new things with my writing. I got the idea for using fictional characters from John Brummett, who entertains and enlightens us from time to time with perspectives of his friend Bubba McCoy. The late Michael Storey did a similar thing with Otus the Head Cat. On Easter Sunday, this paper contained an editorial that employed the same literary device: It was penned by an angel.

Jymmie Sue, my high school friend from the week before, is the first character I imagined, and instead of telling her story, I made her the narrator so she could tell it herself. She is an amalgam of real high school friends I see regularly as I spend my days in my hometown. Brother Bill, retired minister from the Fellowship Baptist Church of Ozark, is the second of these imaginary friends. He is a patchwork of pastors I have sat under my whole life. I often bump into them at the Mexican place, Walmart, ballgames, etc. and hug their necks.

Brother Bill........

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