Interview with the Devil by Michael Harbron

Author:Michael Harbron [Harbron, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-19T00:00:00+00:00

“Cost? What was the cost? I’m not following you, Father,” Joe said, putting his cup down on the ground and staring unblinkingly at Father O’Hara.

Father O’Hara’s eyes glinted once more with the glow of intelligent recognition. “When the Devil comes to men and women of faith, do you think he wears his hellish guise of horns, forked tongue, hands wielding a trident, and a pointed tail? The Devil is not comical, although from what we can piece together about him, he certainly appreciates cruel comedy. Before I get off track, let me say this. The Devil appears as the saintliest of saints to the believers, deceiving them into thinking that he is indeed the bringer of light, a source of goodness, whereas in truth he is nothing of the sort. He is the snake that drove Eve and Adam out of heaven. The dragon who sought to ascend to God’s heavenly throne in the great rebellion of the heavens. He’s the curse upon this world due to whom all suffering exists. The Devil is no friend of man. He is our greatest enemy!”

Joe, feeling flustered and frustrated, slammed his fist against his thigh and snapped, “Father, can you stop speaking in riddles for once? Why are you talking about the Devil?”

“Because I have reason to believe that the handsome lightning rod salesman sitting next to your mother that fateful day was no traveling preacher-man. He was the Devil himself, leading your mother unto temptation at the most perilous moment of her life,” Father O’Hara whispered, a fitful look plastered all over the wrinkled features of his face, almost as if he were looking into the eyes of the Devil himself as he spoke those words.

“Cut the bull, Father,” Joe said, feeling thoroughly uneasy all throughout his body.

“This is not bull, son,” Father O’Hara snapped back. “When a person is in strife, when they’re grieving, they will believe all sorts of things. Or have you forgotten the temptation of Christ himself? Your mother, devout believer though she was, fell into the trap, and believed that man to be an emissary of God.”

“So she took the deal?”

“Yes.” Father O’Hara nodded.

“Are you going to tell me what that deal was?” Joe asked, utterly tired and exasperated.

Father O’Hara shook his head. “Not just quite yet. These things require patience. Please, you came to me for answers, and in turn, I am confessing this secret truth to you. Let me explain it at my own pace.”

“So far, you’ve told me that my mother made a deal with the Devil. Am I missing anything?” Joe asked.

Father O’Hara scowled at him. “It’s not as reductive as that!” he yelled. “Your mother believed that she was making a pact with an angel or a servant of God to save your father. In time, as she realized that that might not be the case, she saw the error of her ways and would come weeping to the church every day begging for forgiveness. It was only after her husband

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