Goodbye, Carol

Untitled Part 4

     Carol looked at Jake and smiled.  After a few moments, Carol spoke up, "Jake...."Suddenly she found herself lost for words. She wanted to tell him how much she still loves him. She wanted him to know how long She had waited for this moment, to see him once again.

     Father Jake looked at Carol. There was no smile in his face; just a look of concern at Carol for what she had gone through and may be going through at the moment. "Yes?" Father Jake asked. Carol just looked at Jake. Then she shook her head, "Nothing...nothing." Father Jake then looked at his watch and said, " I think we should be going back now." It was time to begin the morning's retreat session and Father Jake and Carol started walking toward the building.

     On the third day which was the last day of the retreat, Carol and her classmates shared lunch together with Father Jake and the other priests, brothers, and seminarians. While taking their break after lunch, Carol could not help but observe Father Jake from afar as he chatted and laughed with his fellow priests, brothers, and seminarians. She cannot help noticing how happy Jake was in this place where he found his home and his peace. There he was laughing, talking excitedly, and cracking jokes. Father Jake saw Carol and waved at her. Carol waved back with a sad smile in her eyes.  Could she bear to disturb the heart of a man which as now finally found its home; which has now forgotten the pain of the past?

     The retreatants returned to their rooms and started packing their bags. While Carol was putting her clothes and other things in her bag, she felt tears beginning to well up in her eyes. She brushed the tears back with her hand as she closed her bag and slung it one her shoulder. As carol was about to leave the room, she stopped for a moment and took a look at what was her temporary home for three days. She sniffed the air and she felt heart become heavy at leaving the place.

     The sun was already going down below the horizon as the Carol and her classmates boarded the bus. Carol was still talking with Father Jake while her classmates had already settle themselves into their seats inside the bus.  "Well," Father Jake said, "It was nice to have you as a visitor, Carol. I'm glad to see you again." So am I," Carol said.  Father Jake reached out his hand, "Goodbye, Carol." On impulse, Carol hugged Father Jake tightly and all that the priest could do was pat Carol on her shoulder blades.  Releasing the priest from her hug, Carol said in a whisper, "Goodbye, Jake" and she stepped inside the bus. Carol's adviser shook the priest's hand before stepping side the bus.

    As the bus started to move forward,  Carol sadly looked at Jake from the bus' window and gave the priest a little wave. Father Jake waved back. As the bus moved towards the gate of the seminary, the lay brother who served as Father Jake's assistant stood beside him and asked, "Will we ever see them again , Father?" Father Jake drew a deep breath and said, "Maybe Brother.. Maybe not."

     Inside the bus, tears started to to slide down Carol's face.

                                               -End-