Two Evils // Sweet Pea

Chapter Twelve

"Bless me Father, for I have sinned." Katherine sits alone in the confession booth, "It has been two months since my last confession. These are my sins." Kathrine takes a deep breath, threading the rosary beads between her fingers, "Father, since my last confession, I have lied. I have lied to, and about, the people I care deeply for and love dearly. The bible says to gossip is a sin, and if that is so, then I am guilty. I admit that, on occasion, I have been disrespectful to my parents. I have disobeyed their orders and ideals," Katherine sighs, "In the months following my last confession, I have, under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs, committed impure acts," she pauses momentarily, "I am sorry for these sins and all the sins of my past life."
Katherine stares at the ceiling of the coffin-like box, not realising the Monsignor had began speaking.
"Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace," Monsignor concludes "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Katherine silently rubs the beads between her fingers, "Amen."
"Give thanks to the Lord," the Monsignor speaks once more, "For he is good."
"His mercy endures forever," Katherine listens carefully as the Monsignor steps disappear.
When it is finally silent, Katherine Lodge leaves the confession booth, slowly and quietly she exits the Prayer Room.

"I didn't take you for a Catholic," The familiar smooth voice startles her, "Didn't expect you to have your own church, either."
Kat closes her eyes taking a deep breath, it wasn't a Church, it was a converted Prayer room just off the lobby of the Pembroke.
"You can't be here right now, Sweet Pea," Katherine Lodge drags Sweet Pea into a more secluded area of the Pembroke, "My whole family is here — if they see..."
"A Serpent?" Sweet Pea finishes the sentence for her. It wasn't specifically that he was a Serpent. It was more the fact that important guests were arriving, and seeing the daughter of an important business man interacting with a known Serpent didn't look good.
"Look, I'm hear as a courtesy," He sighs as Kat furrows her brows, visibly confused, "The Snake Charmer, she's back."
He huffs turning on his heals to leave, but Kat grabs his arm.
"I'm sorry," Kat sighs. Whilst she was atoning for her sins, she may as well smooth things over, "I never thanked you for saving me."
"I'm sorry I abandoned you," Kat looks at the floor as he speaks, "Penny roped me into that whole shit show. When Tall Boy called, I had to go. I am sorry."
Kat's heart was in her mouth, she wanted to forgive him, forget about the whole mess.
"Pea," She pauses, unsure of what she would say, "Do you want to just grab a drink; smooth it over?"
"I think I'll pass," He sighs, "You chose your side, stay on it."
"Pea..." Kat swallows.
"I don't know how thing works in your world, Lodge," He doesn't look at her, no matter how much she wishes her would, "But in my world, loyalty matters."

*

Hiram lodge kisses his daughters forehead, "My daughter being confirmed in front of my whole family. Mija, you've made me the happiest," He stops himself, "The proudest father alive."
"Hiram," Aunt Teresa rolls her eyes, tapping his shoulder, "The boys are waiting. Shoo."
Katherine smirks at the floor as her Aunt fussed over her father. It wasn't often that she'd see her father and his older sister interact, but it was always a pleasure to experience.
She stands tall as she sips at her rose wine, her Aunt Terry smiles sweetly as she hands her a small gift box.
"A family tradition," Teresa raises her glass and winks.
"Tia," Katherine studies the trés-chic leather box — Tia Terry was never one to be modest. Her face lights up as she opens it, a pearl and silver rosary, "It's beautiful. Thank you."
Teresa inclines her head sincerely, "Your father has every right to be proud of the young woman you've become."
Katherine smiles at her aunt once more, bright eyed, before finding a seat next to her sister.

It had been years since Kat had seen the whole family together, not even when her father was her arrested, but nothing said 'family affair' like a Catholic confirmation ceremony. The twins should have been confirmed years ago, but Hermione had insisted that Monsignor Murphy, the same Monsignor that baptised them, to confirm them. Therefore, they had waited.