New Arrivals, New Beginnings

by Donna and Abs

After she had done her duties at that clinic, Sarah Jo went to the edge of town where various fruit tree orchards and a large vegetable garden were growing, carrying a basket with her to carry the produce back to her house in. As she harvested some of the abundant foodstuff, Sarah Jo sang an old hymn that she had learned as a child from Katherine, her sweet alto voice rising to the heavens. Even though she had decided not to continue with her religious vocation, it was still a very important part of her life.

A man in a cleric outfit stepped out from behind a tree. "That is lovely," he said.

Seeing the priest, Sarah Jo greeting him with a radiant smile across her freckled face. "Thank you, Father," she said. "My name is Sarah Jo McCants. I'm the nurse here at the clinic here in Edan. Did you just get here?" Already the people who had been on Edan for awhile were taking the crossing over from one world to the other in stride now.

"Yes, I did," said the cleric. He offered his hand. "My name is Ralph de Bricassart. I'm from Australia . . . or I was. Where are we?"

"In a brand new world, Father," she said gently. "I came from the year 1910 from a convent on the east coast of the United States. Others from many different times and places. We have no idea why we are suddenly brought here, or how, but we have been. Some of us are even dead in the old world. Like our priest, Father Alec. He was the one martyred by the communists during the solidarity movement in Poland."

She placed her hand on his arm, understanding and concern on her face. "Let me take you to the church. You and Father Alec can talk."

He pulled away quickly, then smiled as if embarrassed. "Thank you," he said, "I would like that very much."

Sarah Jo picked up her basket, offering him a piece of fruit. "This is very similar to an apple, but slightly tangier in taste," she explained as she handed it to him. "Father Alec lives in a small house next to the mission church. There is room there for you, or if you would prefer, there is the monastery. One of the men can escort you if you would rather go there." She had not missed his reaction to her touch.

"I think I would enjoy the mission church more than a monastery," Father Ralph said, "and I am quite anxious to meet this Father Alec of yours."

"Your entrance was a lot gentler than his," Sarah Jo said with a sad shake of her head. "He was in the process of being beaten to death when he crossed over to this world. He spent some time in our clinic recovering from his injuries." She changed the subject and then went on to tell him about some of the peculiarities of this world, including the tendency for the men to have look-a-likes. "So far, no one that I've seen looks like you," she told him. "But new people seem to arrive every time we turn around."

"The Lord works in mysterious ways," said the priest. "Unless you do not think it is the Lord who is sending us here?" He seemed unsettled.

"I believe it is the Lord," she said, a far off look on her face. "This is a world for second chances. There are things about it Father Alec will have to explain to you in more detail." They were walking down the street now, and heading to the little mission church. Father Alec was sitting outside by a small fountain, his head in a book.

As they neared him, Sarah Jo cleared her throat. "Father Alec, I have someone here I think you will be very glad to see."

Ralph bit his lip. Was this a place to start over? Could his sin be washed away? Just that fast? Or would he find loathing in the other priest's eyes, even when he did not know the truth? It was seared on his chest like the scarlet letter, but no one really knew. Only he did. . . .

As Father Alec rose to his feet, the only thing Father Ralph saw was pure joy. "How marvelous! I was just commenting to the good Lord during my devotions that it would be nice to have a fellow laborer in the fields here." He gave the newcomer a brotherly hug. "I'm Father Alec by the way. And I see you have already met our sweet little sister, Sarah Jo. Are you hungry or thirsty?" He looked the new priest over, smiling happily at him. He looked hale and hearty, but there was a haunted look in his eyes, something Father Alec noted but did not bring up. There would be plenty of time later to talk about whatever was troubling the new priest.

About that time, a distant alarm bell rang and men started to pour out of various buildings. The Dòchas had been sighted coming back up the river towards Edan!

Ralph's head was spinning with all the activity. It certainly was a busy place, for all its sleepy attitude otherwise! He watched as everyone ran for the river.

"Our sailing ship is returning," Father Alec explained. "One of the women that lived here in town disappeared over a month ago, and the Captain of the ship has been diligently searching for her ever since. The others will ride out to the pier and see what is going on. The last trip out, the Captain rescued four souls from the sea. Three of them are living here in town now." He put his hand on Ralph's shoulder and guided him to his little house. "In the meantime, you can rest and we can get better acquainted."

"Thank you sister," Father Alec told Sarah Jo, squeezing her hand before she dashed off, long skirts raised up as she ran towards the stables to see if she could go out to the ship with someone. Duncan was just mounting up, and when Sarah Jo came running up, he reached out and hauled her up back behind him on his horse. She blushed as Methos chuckled at the sight of her skirt hiked up high, exposing her legs. Hiding her face against Duncan’s back, she wrapped her arms around his torso, hanging on tight as Duncan headed his horse out of town.

Ralph looked at Alec once Sarah Jo had left. "I am very tired. I hope I am not imposing on you . . ?"

"Not at all," Father Alec said cheerfully as they watched the riders leave. "Come. I have a extra bedroom. You are more than welcome to stay in it. It would be very nice to have company for a change."

"I will be happy to help in any way I can. I suppose it is time for a new start. I just hope this IS a new start, and not a . . . punishment."

Father Alec waited until they were inside his little house, and then motioned for Ralph to sit down. He pulled up a chair beside him. "Is there something you want to talk about?" he asked, concern and caring in his eyes. "This is a place for new beginnings. It's best if you get whatever is bothering you off your chest so that you can make a clean start."

He looked around. Then, sighing, he said, "I loved one of my parishioners. And I mean that literally, Father."

If Father Alec was shocked, he hid it carefully. "We all make mistakes," he said gently. There was no reproof in his tone or in his expression. "I myself had to undergo temptations in that area as well, so I have some understanding of what you are feeling. This is a new world, brother. And we are finding out that the old rules do not always apply here. That is why I encouraged our little sister to seek a path less restrictive than the one she would have been bound to if she had taken her final vows. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure that we are bound to them ourselves anymore. The Church as we knew it does not exist in this world. I have been praying for guidance in that area." He laid his hand on top of Ralph's and then pronounced the traditional words of absolution, ending with, "rise up and walk in newness of life, my brother, your sins have been forgiven."

Ralph bowed his head. He was being given a new chance! The source of his temptation was not here, of course, but he also had a colleague who felt as he did! Things were definitely looking better. And, with that, he thanked Father Alec, and then said good night, so he could get some rest after his long journey.