A Snowy Night

Part 17

By Kellie

Danny stood outside the church for nearly a half-hour. He wanted to go inside and seek the comfort that he had always found through the faith he had been raised in, but how could he go in there when he had so many questions – while he was cursing God for allowing all these terrible things to happen to so many people that he cared about.

Ray opened the door, on his way out for a walk. He had spent most of the day since hearing the verdict praying for guidance about what to do. He could come forward and tell the courts that Pilar had told him the truth about Ben’s murder in confession right after it happened – which would free Michelle. In the process, everything Carmen taunted him about the other afternoon would happen – his life’s calling to serve God as a priest would no longer be possible. "I wish a simple answer would come to me."

Ray turned and spotted Danny staring at the ground. "Danny, is there something I can do for you?"

"I don’t know, Ray. I feel like the entire world is falling apart – everything is out of control. I just came from the hospital – Pilar is lost in her own world, Jesse is in the ER, and this little girl that Michelle used to baby-sit – Lizzie Spaulding – Rick just diagnosed her with leukemia. After the verdict today, I didn’t think things could be any worse – I was wrong. There’s not a damn thing right with the world. I know I should have faith, turn to the church for comfort and strength. I was taught to do that my entire life – but I just don’t get how God could allow so many bad things to happen to good people – like Michelle. How can I turn to God for comfort when I am so angry with him for allowing all of this to happen?"

"Danny, letting God help you through the worst of times makes you and your faith stronger. Go in, pray about all of this – put it in his hands. He’ll give you the strength to handle everything. Pray for that unexpected miracle. Sometimes the answer to your prayers comes in unexpected forms. I just got an answer to one. Cousin, you need to have hope – Michelle needs you to have hope – your hope will keep her going."

"I’ll think about what you said. Right now, I’m just too angry – I don’t understand any of this," Danny said before turning and walking away.

As Ray stood and watched Danny walk back towards Cedars through the snowfall, he knew what he had to do. His prayer for guidance had been answered.





Chapter 18

Home