My Confession

Others Stories | Sep 18, 2011 | 4 min read
68 Votes, average: 4 out of 5
Others Stories

My Confession

"MY CONFESSION"

The walk back to the church was treacherous. There was construction work being done to the church's basement and that combined with the driving rain made it a regular obstacle course for Father Michael.  He was on his way to hear confessions for the next two hours. He would try to be patient and give advice to help those who sought it from him.

He had become a priest fifteen years ago and this was the eighth parish he had been assigned to. He was trying to fit in with the other priests, but it was a difficult time for him. He was hoping to be assigned to a youth project but his first assignment ended up being coverage of the local nursing home. He had worked with the elderly before, so he eagerly accepted the task.

The Shady Pond Retirement Center was located at the end of Sergeant Street and was within walking distance from the rectory. Father Mike liked to have Mass for the residents every Saturday afternoon, spending Friday evenings hearing their confessions. They really did have much to confess about their daily lives here at the home, but once in a while they would confess a transgression that occurred earlier in their lives.

It was one such transgression that would change his life.

Father Mike was visiting with Arnold D'Amato, a retired newspaper reporter. He was once again listening to Arnie talk about a series of murders he had reported on and that had never been solved by the police. Arnie talked on and on about the victims and their families. He explained in detail all the evidence he had uncovered.  He told Father Mike that all twelve murders were the work of one man. Arnie was convinced he had all the clues in place and if someone would just listen to him, he could solve this once and for all.  Father Mike was interested in the story to a point and being polite, he asked questions and faked an interest to the responses. He had heard the story a few dozen times, at times the details changed slightly, but the basic story remained the same.

Twelve people, all from neighboring towns had disappeared in the last eighteen years. They varied in ages, and in professions. There were six men and 7 women, which led Arnie to believe the next victim, would be a man. He tried to explain to the priest that following the same MO, the killer would strike again soon. Arnie was getting agitated and Father Mike called the nurse to get something to settle him down.

Father Mike tried to avoid Arnie for the next couple of visits, hoping he would let the story die down. He decided to check on him after three weeks. He found Arnie in his bed starting out the window, mumbling to himself about revenge and waiting to long to bring people to justice.

Father Mike leaned close to him and asked him if he wanted to pray for any special forgiveness. He told him that he was here for him and it was time to let the story end here.

"I should have reported you a long time ago."

Father Mike leaned closer, taking hold of Arnie's hand; he squeezed it until he saw the old man's eyes close shut. He got up and checked the hallway, making sure he would be left alone. He closed the door and returned to Arnie's side.  He smiled down at him as he placed the pillow over the old face. He didn't see the fear he expected. He saw nothing but an old man tired of telling the same old story and begging for the attention it might have brought him. The priest held the pillow over his face until he was certain his last breath had been drawn. He removed the pillow and placed it back under the old head, straitening out his hair and replacing the glasses he had dislodged. He picked up all the folders and paper clippings concerning the case and took them with him.

Father Mike stopped at the doorway and repeated to the dead body of Arnie D'Amato what he had said earlier, "I should have reported you a long time ago, Dad."

Ellen

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Reviews

Jagrit Sep 25, 2011

really like the idea behind the story... good effort..

Anikhet Sep 19, 2011

scary concept, I would say..

Geeta Sep 19, 2011

Oh father, that wasn'texpected from you... could have elaborated a bit...

Soniya Sep 19, 2011

I liked the story.. but just a suggestion, dont be in hurry while you are writing...

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