Part I: PartingChapter 1: ThursdayChapter 2: Intermission Chapter 3: Responsibility Part II: Conditional LoveChapter 4: SalvageChapter 5: Compomise Chapter 6: Appearances Chapter 7: Steadfast Chapter 8: Scorecard Chapter 9: Middle Chapter 10: Haunting Part III: The ReckoningChapter 11: DeparturesChapter 12: Endurance Chapter 13: Letters Chapter 14: Contrition Chapter 15: Waning Chapter 16: Intervening Chapter 17: Detour Chapter 18: Reunion Chapter 19: Exclusive Chapter 20: Gifts Chapter 21: Pennance Part IV: The Third EventChapter 22: ConfidenceChapter 23: Priorities Chapter 24: Dichotomies Chapter 25: Questions Chapter 26: Inattentiveness Chapter 27: Impetuous Chapter 28: Caged Chapter 29: Secrets Chapter 30: Family Chapter 31: Unfulfilled Chapter 32: Drowning Chapter 33: Persistence Chapter 34: Falling Chapter 35: Promises |
Chapter 14: ContritionDr. Boston checked over the twins. Herding the family off to church was just another one of the trials she had to face alone. It definitely was getting easier now that the twins were old enough to find their own clothes and did not need reminding to at least stay clean through the beginning of the services. She nodded approvingly as her youngest daughters wandered in the dining room rubbing sleep from their eyes in skirts and blouses.They sat in front of steaming bowls of oatmeal that Jessie and Christine had slid under their noses. Dr. Boston accepted a cup of coffee from Jessie as she sat down reaching to drown her own bowl of cereal in honey. Breakfast was a quiet affair; Dr. Boston glanced over the newspaper, while the twins groggily shoved oatmeal into their mouths. Jamie glanced over once or twice over a piece she was supposed to remember for her first communion in three months. Christine gave her sister an encouraging look. The clock chimed, and Dr. Boston checked her watch. She folded over the paper to reminded her where she left off. “Come on, time to go.” Dr. Boston nodded and herded the twins to the car. Jessie scooped up the dishes and dumped them in the sink. She dried her hands on a dishtowel, and followed after Christine who took the front seat next to her mother. At the church, Jessie slipped back. “I'll find you later, save me a seat.” She whispered to Christine and slipped into the confessional before Christine could turn around. Jessie sighed in the dark tiny space. She hadn't been in one of these since before her confirmation. Jessie rubbed her hands on her clean khakis, trepidation overcoming her. She knocked on the door and it slid open. “Forgive me father for I have sinned. My last confession was two months ago.” “I am listening my child.” The voice on the other of the screen was calm and composed. “Father, though I have not been to confession or church for a long time, I ask for advice.” “I have never seen my mother, Father. She sent me a letter, and wants me to go to her. She is going to die, and I do want to go, but I don't understand my anger that wants me just to forget her.” “Do not forget the commandments, 'Honor thy mother and father.'“ “I know, Father, but I sit here, wondering how miserable she must have been all her life, and then, now to ask...” “I can see in your heart you know the answer, I absolve you of your sins, may God guide your mother when her time comes.” Why is he being so blasted vague? Jessie bit her tongue. What ever happened to asking your priest for advice? She wondered still confused as to her quandary. “Thank you Father.” He paused her, hearing her move by clearing his throat. “Follow through with the Act of Contrition.” “Thank you Father.” And the door slid shut. Jessie slid in next to Christine as the parish began the first hymn. “Where were you?” She whispered. “I'll tell you later.” Christine offered her bible to Jessie but she refused it, however, with out needing to follow along, she kept up with the rest of the parish. After services were over and they were on their way home, Christine asked again, “Where were you?” “I went to confession.” “I didn't know you were Catholic.” Christine whispered back. “Yeah, my dad was.” Jessie admitted. Although that wasn’t necessarily true. Her father did attend church, but what little she remembered, her father was Methodist, though he only practiced Catholicism when he married Livvie. “Were any of the other families you stayed with Catholic?” Asked Dr. Boston interested in this piece of information that Jessie so freely shared. “No, but I stayed with Catholic elementary schools and things whenever the opportunity arose.” “So that's how you knew the mass without looking at the book.” Piped up Sara Ann. “Yep, confirmed, stamped, processed and indoctrinated.” She said candidly. “I think I can even recite the Apostle’s Creed upside down and backwards in Latin.” The twins giggled at the prospect and clamored into the car. ”What did you think of today’s homily Jessie?” asked Dr. Boston. Jessie caught her looking back at her in the rearview mirror. “Interesting, it’s been a while since I’ve been to mass. He’s a good speaker.” Jessie was specifically vague, the priest had fallen asleep at the pulpit and it took a couple of alter boys to wake him up again. “Do you miss your Dad?” It was Jamie who asked to change the subject.. Jessie paused for a minute. “Yeah, I do.” She admitted reluctantly. “When did he leave?” picked up Jamie. “When I was really little.” “Do you get to see him?” continued Jamie. “I don't know where he is.” Jessie answered quickly and bitterly. “Jamie, Sara Ann, I don't think it's polite...” Said Dr. Boston opening the house door. “It's okay Dr. Boston.” “We miss our dad too.” Whispered Jamie when Christine was out of range. Sara Ann nodded. “Come here kiddo.” Jessie hugged Jamie and Sara Ann. “Sometimes, it's hard to understand, but parents leave for different reasons, but if you learn to forgive them, you won't miss them as much.” “You won't leave us will you?” asked Jamie. “I can't promise that Sara Ann, Jamie. But where ever I end up, I'll write you.” “And me?” inquired Sara Ann not willing to be left out of the letter process. “Promise. Off with you two, I know you have some unfinished homework some where.” “I've been trying to tell that to them for the past five years. How do you do that?” Asked Dr. Boston sorting through some paper work on the dining room table. “I guess it works if you've been there, done that.” Jessie shrugged. After a minute of mindless thought, Jessie spoke up. “Probably. I've got some homework too, I'll help with dinner later.” And Jessie backed out of the room and scooted to her temporary room. I wish you peace Jessica, thought Dr. Boston; you've done more good in these couple of weeks than any one else who has come through this house.
Posted 200311.30-RHM |