Sinners and Saints

Sinners and Saints Chapter 21 - Imps on a Plane

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned,” I say kneeling beside Father Jorge’s bed.  He’s been asleep for a couple of hours and I’ve waited patiently for him to rouse, “It’s been – well, never – since my last confession.” 

“Claire?” he puts his hand on my head, “I thought I told you that you should kneel before no man.  Get up, my dear.” 

I do, pulling the chair close so he doesn’t have to stretch.  His color is better, but he’s still weak. 

“I damned two of your cardinals a couple of hours ago, Father,” I tell him. 

“Who?” he asks me. 

“Scalli and Laurence,” I tell him, “Scalli had been,” I take a deep, shaky breath, sounding a lot like his shaky breaths, “Having non-consensual carnal relations with a nun for years.” 

“No,” he clutches his heart, “What sister?” 

“Sister Anne,” I tell him, “I healed her.  I forgave her,” my tears stream down my face and I can’t stop them, “And I took her memories away.  I put them all into him before I damned him.  It nearly killed him, Father, but I did it anyway.” 

“And the other?” he asks in a whisper. 

“Laurence,” I tell him, “For pedophilia.” 

“Blessed Virgin,” he croaks out, “Are you sure?” 

“I am, Father,” I bow my head again, my tears dripping into my lap, “I – uh – met one of his victims before I came here.” 

“Is that why you’re here?” he asks, “Because you feel guilty about it?” 

“No, Father,” I sit again, “I’m here because I don’t.”  I bite my lip and lower my eyes, afraid of what he thinks of me. 

“I see,” he looks at me kindly, “I don’t think you’re supposed to, Claire.  You may have been raised as a human, but you aren’t.  You are as much an avenging angel as you are a loving one, my dear,” he grabs my hand and holds it tightly, “I can’t forgive you, Claire, because you haven’t sinned.  You are incapable of it.  But I have to tell you that what you did was justified and I’m not sorry you did it.  There are horrible people out there, Claire.  There are wonderful people out there too.  Most are a mix.  Those two, however,” he sighs, “Were exactly what the Mother was afraid of.  Exactly why she created redeemers in the first place.  You right the wrongs – on both sides – that humans can’t or won’t,” he pulls himself slowly and painfully from the bed and I jump up, but he grabs my face in both hands, “Bless you, Claire,” he whispers and lands a shaky kiss on my forehead. 

“I’m leaving, Father,” I tell him, “Part of the – um – deal I made for those men.” 

“Ah,” he gives me a little smile, “With Giuseppe, I assume.” 

I nod, “Kiss my babies for me,” I tell him with watery eyes, “Tell them all that if they’re good and grow and keep fighting, Aunt Claire will take care of them.” 

“Keep in touch, my dear,” he tells me as I settle him back on the pillows and tuck his blankets up around him again, “Please have Lucy come in again.” 

Six hours later, I’m boarding a flight back to Miami.  Mona helped me pack, giving back everything I stowed at her place and even paying for my extra baggage fees.  I waved her and the rest of them off two hours ago as they boarded their private flight back to Paris – much hugs and kisses in the process. 

Now, I’m buckled in first-class and exhausted.  Window seat always.  I barely manage to stay awake through the pre-flight.  Only the pain in my back keeps me in the zombie-state frequent travelers go though.