Forgive Me, Father...

“Bless me father, for I have sinned. I, uh... I’ve... never done this before...”

“You’ve never confessed?”

“No... I, uh... I’m not really all that religious, to be honest, father.”

“Well, it’s never too late to start.”

“Heh... that’s... that’s the same thing she said to me...”

“...?”

“I, uhm... I-I...”

“Be at ease, my son. You are in the house of the lord. Nothing can harm you here.”

“...”

“Please, speak of your transgressions.”

“I live across the street from here. I, ah... I always see you standing outside on Sundays, greeting the, uh... y-your parishoners...? You seem like a nice guy. Usually, priests come off... cold? Kinda distant... Holier than thou-- sorry...”

“That’s alright. Please, continue...”

“I, um... I always told my wife that it was guys like you that made me wanna go to church, y’know? Be a part of that... She told me it was never too late to start...”

“She sounds like a wise woman--”

“She’s cheating on me, father...”

“Ah...”

“I... she... i-it’s one of the guys she works with. I dunno his name. I met him once. At a... christmas party. He was nice...”

“Have you spoken to her about this?”

“...”

“...Tell me of your transgressions, my son.”

“I was a-away on business... and, um... I came home early. I wanted to surprise Cathy, and... well... the door was unlocked. I-I heard them...”

“...then what?”

“...I left. I-I came out here... I sat on the front steps of the church, waited for him to leave. He did, eventually...”

“...what did you do, my son...?”

“...When I came home, she was in the shower. The bed... our bed... was... I-I waited for her to finish, but... I didn’t say anything. I was afraid, y’know...? Scared. I dunno of wh-- of what... b-but...”

“It’s alright, my son... it’s alright. These things happen in our lives and we feel lost. Things may seem dim right now, but the light of the lord can see you through this... can see you both through this...”

“...mm-mmno... no it can’t, father...”

“Of course it can, my son...”

“...it wont, father. She...... I love her so much...”

“I know, my son. This sorrow... this pain you feel... it is no sin. You have done nothing wrong...”

“They’re up there right now...”

“...They’re...?”

“I’m supposed to be on another trip... she doesn’t know I’m here...”

“Are you going to confront them, my son...?”

“...yeah...”

“Perhaps you should have a friend with you? Someone you trust... whose presence can comfort you, keep you calm...?”

“...I don’t have any friends, father... I don’t have anything anymore...”

“That’s not true...”

“D’you know that if you pay enough, the pawn shop on the corner will ignore the whole licensing thing...?”

“...I don’t know what you’re talking--”

“I’m gonna go now, father... thank you for talking to me. You’re a good guy...”

“Maybe you should wait here... I-I know people who can help y--”

“...goodbye, father...”

“Wait! My son, don’t do anything rash... Keep speaking to me...”









“...hello...?”