They clicked the button together. Teri retrieved some paper towels to wipe off the red stain. They spent a few more minutes filling out consent forms and double- and triple-clicking confirmation buttons. With the establishment of the Court of Divine Affairs, worship had become much more paperwork-intensive.
“Do we have to go pick up the idol ourselves?” she asked. “Or do they drop it off as part of the service?”
The doorbell rang.
They answered it together.
A small mound of rainbow-colored luggage occupied their porch. On top of it sat a raccoon in an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and denim shorts. He wore sunglasses, even though it was night.
“You must be Phil and Teri, right?”
They nodded.
The raccoon hopped up, put his hands on his hips, and struck a dramatic pose. “Behold your new god. Luka, lord of prosperity and good fortune.”
He lowered his sunglasses to the end of his nose and smiled.
“Where should I put my stuff?”
2
“Nice digs,” said Luka as he pushed his way past Phil and Teri. “Not exactly the palace of the High Magistrate of Atlantis, but beggars can’t be choosers, right?”
“You’re Luka?” asked Teri.
“The one and only. And, please, call me Lucky.” He tucked his sunglasses into his pocket and imitated a gun with his finger, once at each of them. “Anything to drink? I just descended from the heavens and could really use some juice.”
“We have soda,” said Teri. “Sorry, no juice.”
“I’ll take a Coke, thanks.”
She went into the kitchen. Awkward silence filled the room. Phil didn’t look directly at Lucky. Then he felt weird about it, so he made eye contact with his new god. Lucky winked.
Teri returned. “All we had was Dr. Pepper.”
“That’ll do.” He chugged the entire beverage in one long drink. “So do I throw this away or do you recycle?”
Teri took the can and went back to the kitchen. She didn’t return right away, leaving Phil and Lucky to stare at each other some more.