Sinners and Saints

Sinners and Saints Chapter 26 - Hey Jude

And I do.  Of course, there are things I omit, like Mona and Giselle’s romp with their demon friend and the whole creepy sponge bath thing.  And my Communion fiasco.  I doubt that he would look favorably on my spitting up the body of Christ on the carpet. 

But other than that, I blurt it all out.  All the way up to Clark rushing me out of the booth and depositing me at the airport.  By this time our stews have cooled and my coffee has long run out. 

“You’ve had quite an adventure,” he says, “And given me quite a lot to think about.  How do you feel?” 

“I’m good,” I tell him, “I mean, other than not knowing why Drake was acting so strange.  But I don’t regret any of it, Father.  I know I probably should, and you’re probably disappointed in me.  But I don’t.  Those men and the things they did, the power they abused,” I sigh and stir my stew, “I’m not sorry.” 

Father Jonas gets up and replaces both of our mugs, “I must admit that right now, I don’t blame you for that,” he says, “I’m having trouble getting a grip on my own hubris at the moment.  I feel quite made the fool of.” 

“Oh no, Father,” I chuckle at him and squeeze his hand across the table briefly, “I understand that you had no idea what happened behind the scenes, but I didn’t either until I met Baron and Bishop.  They’ve had eons to figure it all out.  You shouldn’t be upset that you didn’t know.  I didn’t know any of it either.” 

“And I’m sorry for that,” he looks so sad, “If you had had proper training,” he sighs. 

“That’s not your fault either,” I tell him, “Or even Dad’s.  We learned what he knew.  He probably didn’t have proper training either.  As far as I know, there is no established training academy for redeemers like there is for bi’s.  We all do the best we can with what we have, Father.” 

He gives me a winsome smile before spooning up the last bit of his stew, “I never knew your parents were alive, either,” he tells me after swallowing, “Everything you girls have been through,” 

“Stop,” I urge, “Yes, I’m pretty upset about it too, but that’s not going to help.  I have to think that they couldn’t tell us what was going on – like there are certain things that Clark can’t tell me.  Maybe someday, Jojo and I will find them again and ask them.  But that doesn’t change what happened and we both turned out alright.” 

“Yes, of course you did,” he softens, “Both of you such lovely, strong, capable women.” 

“So,” I switch subjects because my stomach is going to start rumbling and I want to eat and listen, “How is Rebecca working out?” 

He grimaces and crosses himself, “I pray for the patience of Job every night,” he tells me. 

“That well?” I chuckle, “Then perhaps you made the right call keeping me away from her.  I do know how to banish them now,” I tease him. 

“I have been sorely tempted to sprinkle her with Holy Water on more than one occasion,” he blushes. 

“You know that doesn’t work, right?” I tease him further, “Not unless you know her real name.” 

“I know,” he nods and winks, “But it would still irk her.” 

He walks me back out to the van.  Night has fallen and it’s getting chilly from the ocean-breeze. 

“So why aren’t you with James this evening instead of an old man like me?” he teases me. 

“He texted me that he was leaving for a rock-climbing trip,” I shrug, “Jill’s at work and Jojo has a date.”