Page 6 of Sinned

“That’s enough of this,” I said. “Thomas, this is none of your business, but yes, I’ve been with women. I didn’t decide to become a priest until later in college. You know that.”

“I still don’t get it though,” he said. “I mean fine, be a priest, but that whole celibacy thing is insane.”

“Leave your brother alone,” Momma said as she put down the serving spoons. “He got the calling. It’s a blessing only God’s chosen get.” Momma leaned down and kissed my cheek. “He’s my special boy.”

“Yeah, he’s special alright,” Thomas said.

Momma waved a wooden spoon at Thomas with her best menacing look. Thomas laughed and put his hands up in surrender.

After dinner I went to my bedroom and started pulling out some clothes and things to take on my trip. Josie entered the room and sat cross legged on my bed with her back against the wall.

“I’m going to miss you,” she said.

“I’ll only be gone for three months. You’ve been away longer than that before.”

She shrugged. “Yeah, but this is different. I don’t know why, but I’m having a hard time accepting you being a priest.”

“Why because of what you know Mina Kirkland and I did?” I grinned at her.

“Seriously, that was TMI.” She shook her head as she rolled her eyes. “I think she forgot I’m your sister.”

“What did they do?” Thomas asked as he appeared in the doorway. “You’re a kinky bastard, aren’t you? I think all McArthurs are. I should ask Dad.”

“You’re an idiot,” I said to Thomas as I laughed. “That’s all in the past anyway.”

“I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t give up pussy,” he said. “I love it too much.”

Josie giggled. “You can’t even get it,” she said.

“What are you talking about?” Thomas asked.

“You don’t want to know what I’ve heard about you.”

“I’ve banged a lot of headboards in my time and I always leave them screaming for more. If you heard something bad, it was probably from someone jealous.”

“Oh no, she wasn’t jealous. She was far from jealous,” she said.

“Then she made it up,” Thomas said, his brow furrowed. “Who was it?”

“I’m not saying,” she said as she shook her head.

“You’re talking about Katerina, right?” I asked.

“What about Katerina? Wait, you told him?” Thomas said before turning to me. “And you didn’t tell me? Spill it, Charlie.”

“Josie didn’t tell me, it’s something that’s been going around the neighborhood since high school,” I said.

“High school?” Thomas rubbed his chin as he thought then his eyes widened. “Fuck, that’s not fair. I only took Katerina out that one time to prom.”

“Oh here we go,” Josie said. “He’s going to use the drank too much excuse.”

“I did! No one told me it would make it harder to get it up.”

Josie and I laughed while Thomas looked horrified.

“This is why I couldn’t get any play from the neighborhood girls.” He shook his head. “They all thought I couldn’t get it up.”

“No, none of them would go out with you because you were an ass,” I said.

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