Page 19 of Pieces of Ash
“No,” I whisper. “Her death was sudden and unexpected.”
He takes a long, deep breath, then releases it. “All the more reason to feel unsettled, my child.”
My eyes burn with tears, but I blink them back, which reminds me of Anders in the car. “My sister’s stepson seems very upset about her passing.”
“All members of a family, no matter how close, will grieve differently.”
“But she wasn’t his actual mother.”
“Do you begrudge him his feelings?”
“No,” I say quickly, leaning forward to prop my elbows on the shelf between us. “I just didn’t realize he cared about her.”
Father Joseph is silent for a moment before responding. “Be careful not to make assumptions, my child. Your sister’s passing could have stirred up memories of his own mother’s passing.”
I think of Rose’s portrait and nod. “Of course.”
“Spend time in prayer. Seek the voice of God in your quiet moments. He will comfort you. He is the only one who can give you the peace you long for.”
“Thank you, Father.”
We are silent as I absorb his words, a sliver of that promised peace descending on me from his voice alone. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, letting the air expand my lungs and nourish my blood. It is so good to be back at school…
…except my time here is finite. And my future looms heavy and horrible on the horizon after graduation.
“Father,” I start, but my mind fills with images of Mosier kneeling before me, his hands trespassing on forbidden, sacred parts of my body. A renewed sense of horror sends a chill through me. I clench my eyes shut as I shudder. “F-Father, my…m-my…he…”
“My child?”
I open my eyes and blurt it out. “My stepfather has plans to marry me.”
“Your…stepfather?”
“Y-yes. My m-mother’s husband. He…he says that I m-must marry him. He cited the Book of Deut?—”
“Miss Ellis,” he says sharply.
“Father?”
“Who is thisstepfather? I read your sister’s obituary not three days ago. As I understand it, yourparentsare both alive and still married to one another.”
Oh. Oh, my god. Oh.
“Mybrother-in-law!” I cry, realizing like a bolt of lightning my mistake. I have never told anyone at Blessed Virgin that Tig is my biological mother. Not even Father Joseph, whom I love. “I misspoke, Father! I meant my…mybrother-in-law! My brother-in-law has plans to marry me.”
There is movement in the box beside me, and Father Joseph stands up. A moment later, the door opens and slams shut. Inside the confessional, I am frozen. I don’t know what to do.
“Miss Ellis, come out of the confessional.”
On shaking legs, I stand up. By telling the truth, I have exposed my lies. In church. To Father Joseph. Turning the doorknob slowly, I step outside, into the small chapel, keeping my eyes down.
“Look at me, miss.”
Clenching my jaw, I raise my eyes and look at him, my nerves fraying by the second.
“We appear to have some confusion. You referred to the man married to your late sister as yourstepfatherwith some certainty and conviction.”
“No.” I gulp. “F-Father Jo?—”
