Sins of the Flesh

Chapter 3 - Cole

I load up my pickup truck with Dad's old tools, kiss my two-pointer fingers, and point them toward the sky. "Love you, Dad," I whisper. I hop into my truck and head over to the church.

I parked in the back parking lot, where I was instructed to park, head to the door, and ring the doorbell. Father Nichol's...I mean, Caleb answers the door. His hair is neatly styled. He is wearing a long-sleeved button-down shirt with jeans and brown loafers.

His kind brown eyes crinkle at the corner as he smiles and says, "Welcome, Cole, let me show you around." Caleb takes me to a door with an out-of-order sign taped to it. He unlocks the door and turns on the light in the small bathroom. "The plumbing in here went out some time ago, and we haven't gotten a plumber in yet. Do you think this is in your wheelhouse?" He asks. I walk around the small room, checking the toilet and sink. "Yes, I can fix this for you guys," I say with a confident grin.

He shows me the classroom where the kids go during mass. They want to put a few shelves on the walls. In other areas of the church, there are a few spots that have degraded wood, and a light fixture needs replacing as well.

Then he takes me into a large kitchen. "Um, this was a project that didn't get completed," He says quietly. "Dad," I breathe out. This is the project Dad was working on when he passed away. No one had completed his work. " Um, yes, I wasn't sure if this might be too hard for you." Caleb's eyes are sympathetic. "No, no, I'm okay. I can do this; no problem. If you can give me the details on what you want done," Caleb nods.

Knock, Knock, Knock comes from the doorway. I startle and look up. Caleb is standing in the doorway, his hand hovering over where he knocked on the wall. "It's 12:30. Did you want to have lunch?" I look at my phone screen. Well, shit, I didn't even realize. "Um, yes, thank you," I say, grateful to be reminded. "My wife sent more leftovers than I can hope to finish. Would you like to join me?" He asks. "Thank you, that would be great," I say, knowing I didn't even think to pack a lunch. Caleb's kind offer saved me from eating day-old gas station food.

Caleb heats us both a plate using the microwave in the small breakroom near his office. He places the plates on the small table, him with a glass of water and me with a Gatorade.

"OMG," I say with my mouth full. "This is so good!" It's a bean and rice dish seasoned to perfection. Caleb smiles at my enthusiasm. "My wife is a great cook." "Where is your wife today?" I ask. "She works as a secretary at the treasurer's office during the week," he tells me.

"What about you?" I ask, curious. "This is my full-time job," Caleb says with a chuckle. I wrinkle my nose. "What else do you do besides sermons?" I ask. "I prepare for my following sermon; I perform weddings, baptisms, funerals, take confession on Friday, and handle the paperwork for the church." He says, laughing.

I blush and stare at my plate. When I look up, Caleb is staring at me intensely. He shakes his head, gets up quickly, gathering our plates, and turns his back to me to start washing the dishes. "Um, I guess I'll head back to work. Thanks for lunch," I say. Caleb grunts his response, and I head out.

Was he just checking me out? Indeed not; it's just my stupid gay heart being typical. Of course, a straight-married priest has no interest in you! I think about that look in his eyes, intense and heated, his jaw ticking. I hope he hasn't figured me out I cringe to myself.