Pray For Me

New Beginnings

     "Judy, we're here," Timothy says, parking the car in front of the convent. Jude wakes from her nap, stretching out in the front seat before fixing her hair in the rear view mirror.

"Are you sure?" She asks, touching his arm lightly.

"Jude," He sighs, exasperated. She chuckles lightly and follows him out of the car, linking their arms as they walk up the stone steps and into the convent. They slip quickly through the hallways to Father Malachi's office, avoiding the gazes of fellow nuns and other religious figures as best they can. Timothy knocks on the door lightly, taking a deep breath.

"Come in!"

"Father?" Timothy asks, poking his head into the office.

"Timothy! Do come in I've just received the best news." Timothy opens the door a little wider and pulls Jude in beside him.

"Sister, I didn't expect to see you here," Malachi says, narrowing his eyes for a second before turning to address Timothy. He notices their fingers laced together, but choses to ignore it for the time being.

"Timothy, you have been appointed Cardinal of New York!" Father Malachi exclaims, hitting his desk excitedly.

Like an infant, Jude thinks.

"What?" He asks, slightly shocked. His future flashes before his eyes. Him, as pope in Rome. The thought leaves his head quickly when Jude squeezes his arm. "Father, I'm sorry, I'm resigning from my position at Briarcliff. I'm leaving the church."

"As am I, father." Jude says, her voice shaking slightly. Malachi sighs and rubs his hands down his face, taking a moment to wrap his head around the situation. He was losing his two most promising pupils, and he knew exactly why.

"Well, no matter for Briarcliff, we'll be selling it to the state in two years once our contract is expired. Now, Timothy, don't be impulsive, think it through. You'll be pope in no time!" Malachi has continued to ignore Jude completely.

"I'm not being impulsive, father. This is a long time coming and I think you know this. I'm going to leave and there's nothing you can do or say to stop me."

"I never should have made you the head of that institution, Judy!" Malachi erupts, causing her to jump. He regains his composure and apologizes. The trio stare at each other in stunned silence.

"Let's go, Jude," Timothy says in a low voice, slamming the door behind them. Jude struggles with her tears while Timothy fumes at her side. They storm out of the convent.

"Jude, my child, wait!"

"Mother superior?" Jude asks, spinning around to face mother Claudia. When Jude first came to the convent seeking forgiveness, Claudia had taken an instant liking to the girl.

"My child, what happened with father Malachi?" Jude hesitates and looks over her shoulder to Timothy who is pacing behind the car, yanking his hair and kicking the stray branches on the ground. Jude sighs and quickly relates the story to mother Claudia.

"Aww, Jude, I'm terribly sorry. Call me any time, okay?"

"I will, thank you, mother. For everything!" Jude gives the woman a quick hug, being extra careful not to cry. Timothy has been sitting in the car for quite some time, waiting for Jude to say goodbye. She sinks into her seat as he begins to drive, and he rests his hand on her thigh, smiling lightly at her. She gives him a weak smile and yawns, watching the sun set as they drive away from everything they've ever known. Jude smiles.

"To new beginnings!" She laughs as they tear down the highway, windows down and the radio at full volume. She reaches over Timothy and honks the horn, giggling like a fool in love. Which is exactly what she is.