Page 48 of Sin With Me

“How is that even possible?”

“I think the church wanted Pace to get lost among the papers. Our little town hasn’t always had a good reputation. I’d like to believe that Pace and its residents were given a new chance, but I can’t say that it’s been easy. When I look across the street from the church at the Bistro, I still get the heebie-jeebies. The Cortez family ran that place almost to the ground; yet now it’s a pub anyone can enjoy. Peace replaced chaos.”

“So in a way, Pace has an invisiblehero.”

“Not an invisible one. The hero is God. Whomever stole that money and hid it did so verywell.”

“You know who it is, don’t you, Father?”

“I’m a priest, son. Sinners confess, they’re forgiven, and they repent. Eventually everyone in town ends up at the church, whether they’re happy or sad, lonely or overwhelmed, having issues at home or if they’re just looking for a listening ear. All rumors end up at the church too, especially on Sundays after mass when Mrs. Duarte adds a little bit of hazelnut liquor to the coffee.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Do you think the Cortez family will return?”

“Oh, if the rumors are true, I’m sure they have their eye set on Pace. But when will they show? I don’t know. Anytime, I guess, and the only thing we can do is remain a strong community. One way or another, God will punish them for all theirsins.”

“Murder is surely a greater sin than theft.”

“It’s not up to me to judge. What makes the Cortez criminals so dangerous is that they simply don’tcare.”

“Do you know where theylive?”

Father John stopped and turned my way. “Son, if you’re looking for Mateo Cortez, his cousins or his children, then you should stop, because all you’ll find is a path toHell.”

“What if he’s a soul that needs saving?”

“He’s been given the opportunity over and over again. Some souls are not meant to be saved. The devil makes sure that he’s got some workers on Earth aswell.”

We finally reached the end of the path, by the river, turned around, and wentback.

“How are you feeling, Father? Is the cold holdingoff?”

“It is. Thank goodness. So, do you think working with Kate will be a problem?”

Oh, I didn’t expectthat.

“I may be an old man, but I see how close your friendship has become.”

Father John had a spark in his eyes and it reminded me so much of Kate’s that I took a step back. They were so alike and so different at the sametime.

“She’s a very special young lady, I won’t lie, but I do hope that with prayer, we can remain good friends.”

Father John didn’t comment. Didn’t he believe me? Didn’t he have the faith that I had? I couldn’t pull Kate into my distressed world. Heck, I didn’t even have a real home. I didn’t have the stability this girl deserved, and most importantly, I couldn’t be the man she wanted me tobe.

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