Page 83 of Remorseless
“Murderous priests are quite cliché. I expected more originality from you.”
Rule smiled. “You’re funny.”
“Ha, ha, ha. I’m hilarious,” he said with biting sarcasm. “Except I didn’t hear anything funny. I am quite serious. How can you overlook your father’s many sins but crucify your mother and sister?”
“Crucify?Them?That’s blasphemous.”
“Then you’re welcomed to leave my confessional and never return.”
“No! I didn’t mean—”
“You meant exactly that. Do not dissemble in the house of the Lord.”
Rule quieted. He enjoyed the silence around him. Whether he was in the sanctuary, the rectory, the confession box, or anywhere on church grounds, the voices didn’t plague him as much. He still had his thoughts, his outrage, and his need to punish, but they refrained from encouraging him for the most part.
A beeping noise interrupted Rule.
“Dinner is ready,” Father Wilkins announced.
“I am sorry for all my sins,” Rule responded, understanding the priest had to wrap up.
“You have your whole life ahead of you. Remember the good times you had with your motherand your sister. Focus on that. Have a little mercy. Offer kindness. They need it and they deserve it. Your mother has made a very loving home for you where you want for nothing.”
“Because of Dad.”
“You discredit her importance to the family. Your father is who he is because of her.”
“You cannot disregard my father’s greatness.”
“Perhaps, you should allow Outlaw to bring you some place. Before something terrible happens.”
“I’m not crazy, Father Wilkins!”
“You’re putting words in my mouth. I have no compunction calling a spade a spade. If I thought you were insane, I’d tell you.”
Deflating, Rule slid back in his seat and leaned against the chair.
“Perhaps, medication will help quiet the voices.”
Rule snapped his brows together. “Only crazy people take medicine.”
“I once spoke of you in glowing terms. Your discernment has been the subject of more than one conversation. Your assessment period is more than fear of celibacy or a lack of holiness. It is filled with murderous intent and a refusal to accept needed help.”
“You’returning your back on me, too?”
That would leave him with no one. Until Mom stopped tempting Dad, he wouldn’t remember Rule’s existence. Instead, he’d constantly worry abouther. Rebel was too filthy to be in Rule’s exalted presence. Diesel had his own problems, and loyalty to those two blondes blinded CJ.
“I am not. I am asking that you reconsider resisting your father’s intentions. Whatever they may be.”
“I’m not celibate,” Rule announced.
“Shocking.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.God the father of mercies through the death and resurrection of his Son as reconciled the world to himself and He sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Normally, the Prayer of Absolution comforted Rule. Today, it left him disheartened. Still, he repeated the Act of Contrition by rote.
