PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford
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Thanks to dear Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Marie Gail Stratford for the photo.
CONFESSION
‘Sit there Declan, Father Malone will be with you soon’.
Why did I come ? The less people know the better. Father Malone was my childhood priest, he understood me. Caitlin and I shouldn’t have got carried away, never thought she’d find herself in the family way. It was after the Christmas social, we’d had a drink and a dance.
He’ll say we’re sinner in the eyes of God. He’ll be severe, I can’t stand the shame of it. Her problem not mine.
‘Declan, Father Malone will see you now.’
‘I have to go Mrs MacBride, I’m needed at home, it wasn’t anything urgent.’
February 3, 2021 at 3:42 am
Self talk can help or harm can’t it. I hope the father follows up…
January 31, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Dear Francine,
For a minute I had some compassion for Declan until he decided it was “her problem.” Believable and nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
January 31, 2021 at 5:04 pm
Thank you Rochelle, I’m glad you found the story believable. Hopefully attitudes have now moved on.
January 31, 2021 at 10:00 am
In Father Malone’s defense, the conversation might not be that bad if he’d gone through with it. In Declan’s defense, he might be right to hopefully go home and take responsibility for his kid without talking to some priest first. I like the moral quandaries here. Hope all goes well for the mom and the kid.
January 31, 2021 at 5:16 pm
I appreciate your thoughtful comment Anne.
January 30, 2021 at 3:42 pm
* Good, not god, in that last line 🙂
January 30, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Well, the pregnancy certainly won’t be a secret, and I’m guessing we’re talking about a small village here where the tongues will wag until someone figures out who the sperm donor was. I think his goose is cooked. I just hope they won’t be forced to marry, because he’s weak and selfish. Not god husband/father material.
January 31, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Linda.
January 30, 2021 at 5:19 am
I think I would have done a runner too.
January 30, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Thanks for your comment Ali. In that regime, it would understandable to do a runner as a man.
January 29, 2021 at 2:36 pm
Insightful piece on the frailty of man.
Cleverly done, Patience
January 30, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Thanks very much Ceayr. I hope things have finally moved on from that era in Ireland.
January 29, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Confess or not, it’s only a matter of time before everybody knows!
My story!
January 30, 2021 at 2:44 pm
Thanks for your comment Keith.
January 29, 2021 at 10:09 am
There’s a certain inevitability about his situation, and it might be better to face it head on.
January 30, 2021 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for your comment Sandra. I think the young man is cowardly in the face of his situation.
January 29, 2021 at 9:03 am
Ah, the burning fire of guilt.
January 30, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Thanks James, guilt is a big part of this situation I agree.
January 28, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Someone will need to tell him they will all find out eventually! Better to get it over with now.
January 30, 2021 at 3:23 pm
Thanks Iain, what you say makes total sense.
January 28, 2021 at 6:27 pm
A lovely peek into a weak mind
January 30, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Thanks Neil, I appreciate your comment.