The Unholy Oath

o much. If I were God, I wouldn't even let it ever

at this hour. Not that anyone was drinking. The whole place was tense. Half the fishermen

chor. My nerves were too heightened to stand still because storms always did this to me. It wa

d me of an

ed used to hate the rain. He said it made people stupid and melancholy. He blamed it for his bad moods, which us

ry away. Wrong p

thumped against the wooden floors. No one spoke above a murmur.

A

air shoved into the room, spraying rain across the floor. I clenche

n he wa

er D

chest. Dark hair slicked to his neck. The u

e he'd arrived, taken his vows, and buried himsel

ell was he

orced a smirk. My voice cam

s you in, Father? Finally here to

torm outside. He didn't linger, only

ch roof c

ead like sp

ed. "..

itable." His voice was flat, lik

tay?" The words slipped ou

d. The longest thre

ot an inco

I almost laughe

iel standing in my

l sleeping u

ole different

we stepped outside. He walked a steady three feet b

act like I'm cont

ab

five miles aw

es

ally selling the wh

ed steady, too controlled, like he w

d a rusted truck that hadn't run in years. I fumbled with the keys

door opened. "Bathroom's down the hall. Towels

tween us. Then, low

e met mine. Not long. Not intense. Ju

past me with that calm detac

as going t

floorboards. The soft click of the bathroom door. The rush of water through the pipes. Each sound made

one b

. HE'S STAYI

w. News in this town trave

got wrecked

You've been eye-fu

HAVE

ou get twitchy

r. Because she

turned sharply, pressing

Damp hair curling at his temple. Out of the

?" I asked

N

live on communion

. "I should retir

ure. Goo

Stopped.

ty." The words sounded forced,

n't mention it.

n gone. He walked upstairs, leaving me alone with the hu

take to fix the church roof, accordi

weeks

er thi

so s

en't dirty. Rearranged napkins that didn't need

s worse. Because every creak above my head

ore tasted like boiled socks. Sat at

ws. The storm was easing. I should have

r. His fists. The way storms had alwa

Daniel's shadow moved across the cra

man. Diffe

on in my gut

d heavy. I hadn't sl

hed me before I even mad

iel was in

mugs like he belonged there. His sleeves were pushed up, fore

n't mind. I fo

nown priests made themselves at ho

wn. Turned. His f

ve work

and anything to avoid his eyes. "Storm didn't wreck the b

retched, thi

r: "Thank y

"Don't make a ha

he mug, took a slow sip, and re

pace he took up wi

e we

urvive th

ldn