�
Father Tomas eyed him suspiciously at breakfast the next morning. Ray did not wear guilt easily. He was not, however, ready to talk about this yet. Father Tomas took a sip of his coffee and his eyes never left Ray's face.
�
"Well, what is the problem Ray?"
�
"No problem.. just tired I guess. I had to counsel someone last night and I'm afraid it kind of drained me."
�
"Oh" Father Tomas said in a voice that said "Sure Ray.. "
�
"Really, her husband beat her. She needed to talk and it brought back some bad memories that's all"
�
"I see" Father Tomas sounded a little more sympathetic this time.
�
The phone rang and Ray jumped to answer it.
�
"Yes," Ray said in a guarded tone.
�
"Ray, can you meet me in the park. I have done some thinking and I need to talk it out with you" her voice was as soft as velvet.
�
"Yes, in about 20 minutes?"
�
"Great, thank you so much." she said
�
"Your friend that needed counseling Ray?" Father Tomas asked.
�
"Yes"
�
"Be careful Ray.. just be careful"
�
"Of what?" Ray knew what he meant but for some reason he wanted Father Tomas to spell it out.
�
"I assume she is a young woman?"
�
"Yes"
�
" I hate to sound like a cynic Ray.. but some women find priests a challenge"
�
Ray laughed. "Yes , you are a cynic" he picked up his collar and carefully put it in place and left.
�
�She sat in the park watching the children at play. A child ran up to her and said "Which one is your kid, lady?" She smiled and said " None of them sweetheart.. none of them"
�
No children for her. They had decided a long time ago. They rationalized that this world was no place for children. That he was too old to start a family. That she had to get her career under way.. and many other reasons she could not even remember now.
�
Ray arrived and sat down next to her on the bench.
�
"Thank you for coming Ray. I was awake most of last night thinking about what I should do. I suppose I should tell you all about my husband now. He is a senator , he knows many people, some of whom are not quite reputable. He always told me it was part of being a politician. So many things are controlled by "those kind" of people. Do you know what I am talking about?"
�
Ray laughed. "I know exactly what you are talking about."
�
She looked at him curiously " You do?"
�
"Therese I know about your husbands connections.. I have a few of my own. I know about Riviera.. maybe more than you know. This conversation is just between us..right?"
�
"Of course, Ray I am curious.. just how do you know so much about Riviera?"
�
"My last name is Santos, does that answer your question Therese?"
�
"Oh" she seemed to move away from him as if he had just told her that he had a communicable disease.
�
"Now , tell me what you plan on doing? "Ray asked.
�
She stared at him and wondered if he could be trusted. She was really frightened now. How much did he know and who was he connected to.. this was all too much.
�
She stood up and held out her hand " Ray, thank you for your interest in my problems.. I can handle them now. I just really called you here to thank you. Good bye"
�
"Wait, what's wrong?"
�
She walked off without looking back.
�
�Ray drove back to the rectory. He felt so confused. Not just because she left so abruptly, because he hated that she left. It just wanted to touch her one more time. He knew it was wrong to think that way.. he told himself that he only wanted to comfort her.." sure Ray and the sky is purple.. try to convince yourself of that while your at it" he said half aloud to himself.
�
Father Tomas looked at Ray and wondered if this boy was going to survive. So many things against him. The Santos family were a group to be reckoned with.. Carmen.. she alone could drive you to the edge. She had an answer for everything. Sometimes he wondered if she knew the truth at all... would even recognize it. He shook his head and sighed.
�
�The phone rang and Father Tomas answered rather sharply" Yes"
�
"Did I interrupt something Father .. ?" Danny asked.
�
"Of course not Daniel.. what can I do for you?"
�
"I would like to speak to Ray.. is he there?"
�
"Just one moment," Father Tomas covered the mouthpiece of the phone and said" Ray ,your cousin would like a word with you."
�
Ray took the phone and then took a deep breath. What now he wondered.
�
"Ray, is everything all set for your first mass. Michelle and I would like to invite some people and we wondered if we could have a little time with you . Give you our vows and stuff.. you know."
�
"Fine"
�
"Ray , something wrong?"
�
"No , of course not Danny .. everything is fine.. just fine"
�
Danny set a time for them to get together. Dinner at the towers and Ray was glad for the diversion.
�********************************************************************************
�
Senator Howard sat in his living room drinking his third scotch and soda. He had already gotten the call from his friends about her. He knew she had met with that priest. He knew her so well, first sign of a problem and she ran to the church. She was a fool. Didn't she know that he was aware of her every move. She probably even thought she was an exceptional lawyer. After all she won some of the largest settlements in the state. Why not, every judge knew where their interests lay. One word from him and well.. they knew.
�
�The door opened and Therese walked into what had been her home. A place she decorated with care and love. She looked at it now and hated the sight of it, wished she were anywhere else. It seemed cold and dead.. to her it was. She had to get out.. anyway she could.
�
He stood up and watched her walk by the living room headed for the stairway.
�
"Therese , he called out, come in here" he did not try to hide the anger in his voice. He was through with that.. no more.. she had been gone all night.
�
She turned and looked into a face that held nothing but contempt. It shocked her that this time there was no apology.
�
"Therese, where were you all night? This will not do.. who is he?"
�
She laughed in spite of herself. "There is no he , even if there were.. " She never got a chance to finish the sentence. He grabbed her and slammed her against the wall. She slid to the floor and sat there feeling stunned. He grabbed her hair and pulled her to her feet and then slapped her squarely across the face. She ran from the room and up the stairs .. he stood at the bottom and watched her go.. a smile on his face.
�
She ran into the bedroom and opened the drawer in the nightstand. She removed the gun and sat on the bed waiting.
�
After a few minutes he walked into the bedroom.
�
"How many times do we have to go through this Therese.. when are you going to learn. I don't enjoy this either"
�
Therese raised the gun from her side and said" You will never have to go through this again, neither will I," she shot him twice.
�
He gripped his chest and took his hand away and looked at the blood with disbelief. He tried to say something but fell to the floor.
�
She put the gun down and went to the phone. She called Ray. She didn't know why she did. She just needed him.. maybe for absolution.. maybe.
�
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