Page 35 of Stranger Gifts

“You saw them come into town and you knew who they were. You followed them into the store, not realizing that Sister Agatha was there. You watched them. You watched what they did to her and you said nothing.”

“There is nothing to be done! I couldn’t have stopped them,” she cried.

“You could have helped Sister Agatha. You could have supported her in her fight instead of making her lose her faith. You chose two men who cared nothing for you or your life, or for the life of any woman for that matter. You went against every vow you took. Why?”

She just softly cried beside him, Matthew still holding her arm to ensure she didn’t run.

“Why?” he asked more firmly.

“Because I love them! I always hoped he would return for me,” she sniffed. “I know it sounds crazy. He raped me, beat me, but he made me feel more alive than anyone ever. I’ve waited for him to return for me. Except he didn’t. He came that day only to create trouble. All the times he came back to scare Sister Agatha or that attorney of hers, he never once came to find me. I even waved at him once. I waved at him!”

Matthew nodded, placing his hat back on his head. He stepped from beneath the shade of the tree and looked at the woman.

“I believe you have some decisions to make. God will be watching to see what you do. So will I.”

“Wh-who are you?” she pleaded. “Please tell me who you are.”

Matthew bent at the waist, gripping the woman’s neck and kissed her forehead. He whispered something to her and then walked away.

It was nearly three hours later that the sisters found her seated in the gardens. Worried about her mental state and her inability to speak, they called an ambulance and began to pray.

She was already praying for her soul.

Jenna was in her favorite spot, sitting in the garden and soaking in the smells and sounds of nature around her. It was the most peaceful place on earth and if she could just disappear here, she would die happy.

“How are you feeling?” asked Matthew.

“Oh, hello Matthew. I’m feeling well, thank you.”

“Are you?” he asked. She looked up at him and the smile faded from her face. “I mean no disrespect, Jenna but you’re not alright. You won’t be alright until you tell the whole story.”

“I-I don’t know the whole story.” Matthew tilted his head.

“You know, I went to visit the convent today. I had a wonderful talk with Sister Frances.” She tried to stand but something was holding her in place. She couldn’t move. “I wondered why you wouldn’t tell anyone that she was there, in the grocery store watching what was done to you, yet she said and did nothing.”

“Sh-she told me her story. She told me who those men were,” said Jenna. “She begged me not to go to trial. At first, I agreed. I said I wouldn’t do that to them, but that she needed to tell the others about it. She said she would but she lied. She didn’t tell anyone and I was left alone, ostracized by my community.”

“That’s why you left the convent?”

“Partly,” she nodded. “I never belonged there, Matthew. I have faith. I am a good Catholic. I believe in God but that is not the life for me.”

“You knew what happened to her was the same as what happened to you,” he said calmly.

“Yes. I knew. Which was why I couldn’t fault her decision to try and save her son. I was trying to do what God might have wanted me to do but it all felt wrong and I was confused.”

“You were confused because no one would ever ask you to harbor a rapist, attacker, or killer. No one. She was manipulating you at a time when you needed her guidance.”

“Did you tell the others?” she asked.

“No. It’s your legal team and you need to do that. I can’t force you.”

“Nash will hate me,” she whispered. Matthew actually chuckled at that, shaking his head.

“Honey, there is nothing that you could say or do that would make that man hate you. He cares for you.” She nodded.

“We’ve been friends for a long time.”

“Yes,” he smiled. “Friends.” Matthew stood and began to walk out of the gardens when she called him back.

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