Jozef checked the clock on the wall. It was time to get to
the confession booth before Monday morning mass. He finished his breakfast, put
on his surplice, and went to hear confession.
“Bless me Father, for I have sinned,” came from the other
side of the divider in the confessional. Jozef recognized the voice of the
butcher’s eldest son. He listened to his sins, which had to do with impure
thoughts about the neighbor’s girl and transgressions against his brothers. He
absolved him and charged him so say eight Ave Maria’s for penance.
The young man left, and Jozef leaned back. No one else came.
He checked the time. Another fifteen minutes and he’d have to do mass.
A shadow darkened the partiton. Jozef leaned forward.
“Bless me father, for I have sinned.” A female voice which
he couldn’t place right away.
Automatically, he answered, “How long has it been since your
last confession?”
A sigh. “Much too long.”
Suddenly Jozef didn’t know what to say. It couldn’t be Nina,
could it?
The voice on the other side repeated the sentence. “Much too
long. Why weren’t you there when we came back, as you had promised?”
“I couldn’t. I had the mumps and Mama wouldn’t let me leave
my room for two weeks, for fear I’d pass it on to my bothers. When I was
finally allowed to go outside again, the circus was gone.” He sighed. “But I
did think about you all that time.”
“Oh. I thought you had forgotten. I really had fun that day.”
“I did too.” He didn’t know what else to say. He was a
priest now, just as he had told her. This had to be the last time they’d see
each other.
She saved him from saying anything else. “That was a long
time ago. I don’t work with the elephant much anymore.”
“I noticed. You’re very good at the high wire.”
“I have to go. Anyway, I’m engaged to be married. I just
wanted you to know.”
His heart constricted. He fought to keep his voice neutral
as he said, “Congratulations. Who is the lucky man?”
“Our manager. His wife died. I’ll be the new mother for his
two children. He’s really nice.”
“That sounds great. You’ll have a complete family. I wish
you the very best. With all my heart.”
Silence on the other side. Finally she said, “We’re leaving
tonight. I have some time this afternoon, around two o’clock.”
Jozef smiled to himself. “Did you see that large tree right
behind the church? Right by it, there’s a path leading into the woods.”
“I noticed it. I have to go. Good bye, Jozef.”
He heard the rustling of women’s clothing and she was gone.
Jozef went to celebrate mass in front of the few people that
had drifted into the church.
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