Okay. Let me start by saying that since this was my first interview… I was totally nervous and everything about sitting down with my first, real interviewee. But knowing that he was a priest sort of calmed me down. Because I was sure he’d have that whole forgiveness-thing going for him, just in case I messed up and said something wrong.
He suggested that we meet at a little café on the edge of town. That was fine by me. But when he walked in… I was kinda shocked to actually meet him. I mean… I expected some short, old dude with like, crunchy white parted-to-the-side church-helmet-hair. Father Edward is tall. And… he’s like, built. I mean… from what I could tell, he was fit. And his hair was kinda crazy. And… other than the clothes he wore, I would never have guessed that he was a priest at all. He wasn’t stiff or formal. He sat with his legs uncrossed just like any normal guy. It was sorta easy to just be myself with him. Which is what my editor asked me to do.
So anyway… here’s my interview with Father Edward.
***
Me: Okay... so first, I want to thank you for agreeing to do this interview with me. I told my editor that I would pick a wide variety of interesting and unique individuals from the area... and lets face it. Forks is not exactly the most interesting pile-up of fabulous to sort through.
E: You'd be surprised, actually. Scratch the surface and the people around here have a lot of stories to tell. And thanks for inviting me. I don't think the high school paper has ever interviewed me before.
Me: Yeah well... I'm really only doing this gig to get the practice. I want to be a television journalist someday. Like Barbara Walters. Only not old and wrinkly so I won't need like a filtered lens in my interviews or anything. And I want to interview really important people that make a difference. You know? Like President Obama or Lady Gaga. And I figure YOU make a difference right here in this town. So you were a clear choice for my first interview.
I don't know what to call you? Mr. Masen? Father... ??
E: You can call me Edward. Shall I call you Ms Walters?
Me: No. My last name is Stanley. But ‘Jessica’ is fine. Isn't a little weird… me calling you by your first name when you are all... like Holy and stuff?
(Okay. So he totally laughed before he started talking again. And it was actually a really nice laugh so I didn’t mind. Even though, at that point, he seemed to be more comfortable staring at his shoes than looking up at me. )
E: I'm just an agent of the Church. I'm not a Saint or an Angel, Jessica. I'm a person who lives to help other people who want spiritual guidance.
Me: Well... I guess that makes me feel a little less nervous. Cuz you know, if I screw up and say something bad I don't want you to bad-mouth me to God or anything. That was totally a joke, by the way.
(So… I’m not really sure if he got the joke. Because he looked all serious then.)
E: God watches everything you do, Jessica. There's no need for me to report back to him at all.
Me: I guess he can't be too picky all the time. I mean... here you are, a man of the church. And aside from that white thing around your neck, you are kinda dressed like Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash, sitting in a cafe, listening to really loud Blues music. And is that your Vespa parked outside?
(Thank God. Oops. I mean, thank Goodness. He was laughing again. And he pulled at his hair a little bit. Which explained the whole ‘crazy’ look I mentioned earlier. It really worked for him.)
E: Yes. Part of the priesthood is a vow of poverty. No Lexus for me. I bought half a raffle ticket when I was a kid and won that Vespa. It serves me alright. But I don't think Johnny Cash would've been caught dead on one.
Me: Oh, no way! But then again, he didn't have that whole vow-to-stay-away from women thing going like you do. I mean... a Vespa helps with that, I'm sure. It’s not exactly a girl-magnet.
E: You don't think it's kinda hot?
Me: My cousin drives a Vespa. His name is Tommy and he lives with my Aunt and Uncle, in their basement. And I'm pretty sure his life goal is to actually BE a guitar hero. So... no. Not really. Okay Father… er. Edward. What do you do for fun?
E: Well, I coach the little league team. I enjoy baseball. My parishioners frequently invite me for meals in their homes, which is always interesting... Like I said earlier: The people in this town actually have very interesting stories--- Perhaps not to a young vibrant girl like you, but to me, for the way I look at the world, I'm really interested in the insight I get into the way everyone in town interacts. The way each person's life overlaps with the others in some way. We all weave together, and it's invisible if you aren't looking for it. I suppose I spend a lot of time amusing myself by just watching Forks and connecting the dots.
(At this point, he was waving his hands around while he talked and he sort of wove his fingers together. And if I’m being perfectly honest, I was kinda distracted by how nice his hands are.)
Me: Okay. So you like to watch people. And I don't mean that in a creepy way at all. Do you have any friends that aren't perishing in your church?
E: Jessica, the little church is in the Parish and the people who live in the Parish are called Parishioners. They don't perish... well, some do. Part of my duty is to visit the hospital and comfort the sick and dying. But it isn;t the same word. I don’t have many friends. I'm very close to Father Cullen and Esme Platt and- well, most people I grew up with in Forks have moved away.
Me: That actually sounds kind of lonely.
E: I stay busy.
Me: You know... I'd totally be your friend. How old are you, anyway?
(I swear… I wasn’t really flirting with him or anything. Well, maybe a little. But not really. And he laughed again. So whatever.)