Deep Dark Secrets by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ten16 Press
Published: 2022-03-14T18:28:29+00:00

As luck willed out, St. Anthony’s Sunday morning mass was led by the youth - a once a month affair in which the high school students performed the readings, announced the prayers of the faithful, and ushered at offertory. The youth service was always followed by fellowship of coffee, milk, juice, and donuts, also set up and manned by the high schoolers. Frankie rarely stayed after church service, deciding she socialized enough with the community during the week, and she certainly didn’t need an extra donut either. Because she sang in the choir, she usually filed away her music after service, then quietly descended the stairs and exited out the side door. Peggy would often chastise her daughter’s antisocial behavior, commenting that parishioners ought to be greeting Father Donnelly and complimenting his sermon. “Goodness, Francine, I raised you better than that” or something similar was Peggy’s usual remark.

Today, Frankie planned to surprise her mother by joining fellowship. She caught up to Peggy as she was exiting the sanctuary in a line of fellow parishioners waiting to shake Father Donnelly’s hand. Peggy looked surprised, then delighted, to see her daughter and she pushed her in front of her place in line to speak to Father first. Frankie suspected she either wanted to hear what her daughter would say to the priest, or she wanted to chime in an added remark or fun fact, or more than likely, both.

Father Donnelly extended his hand to Frankie and smiled broadly at her. “Well, Frankie, isn’t it nice to see you after church for a change.” Father winked as he spoke; having been the priest at St. Anthony’s for more than two decades, he knew Frankie’s entire family fully.

Before Frankie could utter a word, Peggy piped up with, “Oh Father Donnelly. I told Frankie she should have better manners. What’s a mother to do!” There stood Frankie, once again, demoted to child status.

“Great sermon, Father Donnelly. It’s nice to see you face to face.” Frankie decided being candid with the priest was a safe bet.

He stifled a chuckle, “And the choir sang beautifully as always.” Frankie took the church bulletin proffered by a high school student she didn’t recognize and began walking down the hallway to the fellowship room, hoping to spot Carmen and Ryan so she wouldn’t be waylaid by her mother.

As luck would again have it, Kyle and Carlos were putting out coffee cups and juice glasses on the long table inside the room, where Carmen and Ryan were already seated on folding chairs against the back wall. Peggy had been sidetracked talking to one of the youth about the proper way to knot a necktie, then proceeded to fix the youngster’s tie as he looked down, mortified. Frankie said hi to the twins and allowed Carlos to pour her a cup of coffee while Kyle handed her the creamer. Frankie offered them a smile of pride - these boys were becoming young men and turning out to be good ones.

Carmen motioned Frankie over by her and Ryan, knowing full well why she decided to come to fellowship.

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