by Honey
Eric closed his eyes and reclined his seat. There was more on his mind at the moment than he was ready to deal with. Royce was pregnant by her priest, and they were keeping it a secret from Zora, his wife. He had never withheld anything important from her in the entire thirteen years they’d been married. The guilt was choking the life out of him, but he had made Royce a promise, and he was going to honor it. Then there was the issue of leaving his in-laws in the dark. Once again, he had given Royce his word that he wouldn’t utter one syllable until the time was right.
Eric found it strange that out of all of the promises Royce had coerced him to make, she never once asked him not to contact the baby’s father to tell him she was carrying his child. He wondered if he had the green light to give the priest a call to inform him he would have more to celebrate in January besides the New Year and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
Eric felt that Father Gregory needed to know what his carelessness had caused. He was as much at fault as Royce. And it wasn’t fair that she was bearing such a heavy burden alone. Father Gregory may have been a priest, but his title didn’t excuse him from his duties as the father of Royce’s child. His inborn, sinful nature, like that of any other human being, had led him astray. No clergy collar, crucifix, or holy water had prevented his penis from popping out of his pants. And he would not be granted a pardon for his sexual misconduct. An innocent child would soon make his or her debut to the world. Every little girl and boy deserved the love and support of both of their living parents. Eric had no clue about Royce’s plans to deal with her baby’s father. He, on the other hand, had plenty of ideas and colorful words to say to the man. But he would wait to speak with Royce about his concerns privately after they’d settled in Dominica.
* * *
“I placed Father Gregory’s dinner plate in the microwave. His garden salad is in the refrigerator,” Mrs. Ellison told Fathers Schmidt and Rivera. “Please let him know when he wakes up from his nap. Enjoy your evening.”
Father Rivera nodded and smiled.
“Goodbye, Mrs. Ellison.”
Father Rivera turned to Father Schmidt as soon as the older woman left the dining room. “He hasn’t eaten in two days. I’m very concerned. It’s unhealthy for him to skip meals and spend so much time alone in his room. It appears that he’s depressed or in mourning.”
“I know exactly how he feels. He’s suffering emotionally and physically. It’s quite painful to lose the love of a woman.”
“I’m grateful that I will never experience such mental anguish. If falling in love causes so much pain, I consider myself blessed to have avoided it. Praised be to God for His mercy.”
“Falling in love can be a wonderful thing, my friend. There’s nothing more gratifying than giving your heart to a woman and have her give hers to you in return.”
“But when something goes wrong in the relationship, one suffers to the point that they seem suicidal like Father Gregory.”
“His case is different,” Father Schmidt pointed out, wagging his finger at his fellow priest. “He must suffer greater than ordinary men because he broke the sacred vow. Sin brings about tragedy. But when an ordained priest dishonors his ultimate commitment to the Lord and the church, he will reap God’s wrath tenfold.”
“I pity him.”
“I feel sorry for him as well, but he’ll recover in time. And hopefully, he will never get involved with a woman again. His unfortunate circumstances will serve as a reminder to him, I’m sure.”
Father Rivera frowned with confusion. “A reminder? What reminder is that, Father?”
“It will remind him why all Roman Catholic priests are avowed to a life of celibacy and bachelorhood. We are married to the church. She is our bride. Marriage or a romantic relationship with any woman is adulterous. It will hinder our ability to serve and minister to God’s people. The vow is not a punishment as others may believe. It is a commitment to God that sanctifies and strengthens us for His service.”
“Amen.”
Chapter Forty-one
“She’s such a beautiful baby,” Royce told the young mother. She handed the infant back to the woman and reached for the chart on the counter. “You’re doing an excellent job with her. She’s very healthy. The rash behind her ears appears to be eczema. The doctor will give you an ointment for it.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Eric entered the treatment room, smiling. “I’m Dr. Benson. And who is this princess?” He gently pinched the baby’s chubby cheek.
“Her name is Natalie, and she’s nine months old.”
“Hello, Natalie. May I hold you?” Eric asked, reaching for the baby.
Royce was exhausted. She took a seat on a metal stool and watched Eric examine Natalie from her tiny afro to her stubby toes. She had seen twenty-three little ones over the last eight hours. She was glad that Natalie was their last patient for the day. Royce was ready to return to the modest three-bedroom house in the small town of Glanvillia where they were staying during the mission. She was hungry and in need of a long, hot shower. Her back was hurting terribly, too. She wondered if there was a masseuse anywhere on the small island. The last time Royce had had a massage, Father Gregory had done her the honor. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“This cream should take care of the eczema,” Royce heard Eric say to Natalie’s mother. “Rub it behind those little ears twice a day until the rash disappears completely.” He handed the woman the tube of cream he’d removed from a cabinet above his head.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome.”
Royce smiled and waved to the woman and her baby before they left the treatment room. Eric sat on the examining table with a flat expression on his face. His eyes revealed his serious mood. Royce lowered her eyes to her hands, which were folded on her lap, and she waited for her lecture.
“I want you to take the rest of the week off to rest, sis. You’re tired, and your back pains haven’t eased up. I can tell by the way you walk. I know you want to stay busy to keep your mind off of your situation, but I’m putting my foot down.”
“Okay. I’ll stay home and relax for the rest of the week. But if I’m refreshed by Monday morning, I’ll be right here with you, Zora, and the rest of the team. I came here to work. This is not a vacation.” Royce laughed softly.
“While we have privacy and a little bit of time, I need to ask you something.”
“I’m listening.”
“When are you going to call Father Gregory and tell him you’re pregnant with his child?”
“Never.”
“Royce, don’t be foolish. You have to tell him. He’s the baby’s father. He has a right to know. It’s only fair that he share the responsibility of raising and providing for the child along with you. He enjoyed helping you make the baby, so I want him to help you care for it.”
“Women raise children every day all over the world as single mothers. I can do it too. The situation is too crazy. He will never leave the church and the priesthood, so how the hell do you expect him to be a father to my baby? He was my secret lover, Eric. I don’t want him to be a secret father to his son or daughter. It’ll never work.”
“Atlanta is a big city, but it’s not big enough for you to hide from Father Gregory and the entire congregation forever. Someone will see you sooner or later. He’s bound to find out that you’re expecting, and he will know the child belongs to him. What do you plan to do when he rings your doorbell someday in the near future and demands to see his little boy or girl?”
“I don’t know. I’ll handle the situation if it ever comes down to that.”
“Oh, it’s going to come down to that, Royce,” Eric warned with certainty. “There is no doubt in my mind that it will. If I were you, I would think long and hard about the decision you’ve made. It’s not a very smart one, sis. Come on. Let’s go home. You need to feed my niece or nephew and get some rest.”
* * *
By Sunday afternoon, Royce felt
like a brand-new woman. Three days of rest, relaxation, and good food had done the trick. She decided to join the family for shopping and a sightseeing tour of Roseau, the capital city of Dominica. The cab ride was an hour long, which gave them the opportunity to take in the beauty of the island’s mountain range, coastline, and the small towns along the way. Once they reached Roseau, the real adventure began.
Eric led the family to many historic sites and popular attractions with the help of a tourist map. After visiting Middleham Falls, the Roseau Museum, and walking the shore of Champagne Beach, they headed for the Old Market Square to shop. Eric and Tyler weren’t too thrilled about that. They bought tropical drinks and found a bench in the middle of the square where they chilled while the ladies splurged on souvenirs.
“Look at this hat, Royce. Isn’t it pretty?”
“I like it. I’m going to buy one for Mama.”
“I want to stock up on T-shirts. I see some over there.”
Zora took off toward the T-shirt stand with Royce a few steps behind her. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and the air was muggy. After the long ride and lots of walking, Royce was starting to feel light-headed. Her back pains had returned, too. It was time to take a break and have a cool drink. Royce reached the table where Zora stood looking through a stack of T-shirts in every color and size.
“Can we sit down for a few minutes after you’re done here? I’m getting overheated.”
Zora looked at her sister. “Are you okay? You look a little flushed.” She placed the shirts on the table. “Let’s go and find Eric and Tyler.” She took Royce by the hand and led her away.
Father and son were laughing and talking on the bench while sipping their drinks. Royce could see them a few yards away. The pain in her back and the heat made it seem as if miles and miles separated them. Royce felt woozy, and her breathing was labored. She leaned on Zora for support. Eric looked up and saw the sisters walking in his direction. Apparently, he sensed that Royce was in distress. He jumped up from the bench and sprinted toward them. Royce’s eyes rolled to the back of her head seconds before she collapsed in Eric’s arms.
* * *
“Yes, Mama, the doctor said she’s fine. She’s resting now.” Zora looked over her shoulder at her sister lying in the hospital bed. She allowed her tears to fall freely, but she spoke calmly because she didn’t want to upset her mother. “I’m going to stay here with her tonight. She’ll be released in the morning. I’ll call you when we get back to Glanvillia. I love you, Ma.”
Zora sat down on the bed next to Royce. She stroked her cheek tenderly. “My baby sister is going to have a baby.” She smiled through her tears at the thought.
There was a tap at the door before it swung open. Eric walked in with Tyler on his heels.
“Is Auntie Royce going to be all right, Mom?”
“She’ll be fine, sweetie. She got overheated and dehydrated after walking too much under the Caribbean sun.”
“We’re about to catch a cab back to Glanvillia, but I need to speak with you in the hall before we leave. Tyler can watch Royce for a few minutes.”
Zora followed her husband out of the room and closed the door.
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way. Royce had every intention of telling you soon, but she was afraid, Zora. You’ve been so hard on her lately. She didn’t want to be judged or belittled. Royce needs your love and compassion now more than ever before. Please be nice to her when she wakes up.”
“I will. After all, I’m not angry with her. I want to kill that priest who got her pregnant and broke her heart.”
“She loves him, honey. And no matter how bad he hurt her, she doesn’t want to hear anything negative about him or their relationship. I’d like to strangle him to death too, but it wouldn’t solve the problem. Our family will soon welcome an innocent baby into the fold. Regardless of the circumstances of its conception, we should all be happy for the life God is about to bless us with.”
“I guess you’re right. Babies are precious gifts from God. I’m grateful and excited about finally getting a niece or a nephew. But I am not happy about how it all came about. I’m going to call Father Gregory and tell him he’s going to become a daddy.”
Eric shook his head. “You can’t do that. It’s not your responsibility. And Royce doesn’t want him to know.”
“Why not?”
“She has her reasons. I don’t agree with her, and she knows it. But it’s her life. I’ve been trying to talk her into changing her mind. I haven’t had much success, though.” Eric took Zora by the hand and looked at her directly. “Promise me that you’ll respect your sister’s wishes. Swear to me that you won’t call Father Gregory and tell him anything.”
“I promise not to call Father Gregory and tell him about the baby.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Forty-two
Father Gregory entered the confessional with tears streaming down his cheeks. He kneeled and waited.
“What brings you here today, child of God?”
“I have n . . . not sinned,” he stuttered over sobs. “I came for a . . . a word of comfort. I need . . . need spiritual guidance, Father.”
Even through the crying and sniffles, Father Kyle recognized the voice. It was the young man who loved the woman he could not marry. It had been several months since he had sought help. Father Kyle was pleased that he had come today, but he was concerned about his state of mind. He sounded deeply troubled. “What can I do for you today, my son?”
“I’m no longer involved with the woman I love. I ended our relationship a few weeks ago. I didn’t want to continue dishonoring God by fornicating with her, so I did what I believed was best. I know God is pleased, but why does doing what is right hurt so much? I was happier when I was fornicating and constantly asking for forgiveness than I am now that I’m celibate again. I don’t understand. I feel like I’m dying. Have I lost my mind, Father?”
“No, my son. You are indeed sane, but you are human. The spirit inside of you will forever war with the flesh. You love this woman with all your heart. That is why you could not abstain from being intimate with her. You wanted to stop, but your flesh was weak. Your decision to end the affair was influenced by your love for God and your commitment to Him. You did the right thing for your soul, but the human side of you still yearns for her. That’s understandable.”
“Dear God, I love her so much. I miss her. I can’t function without her in my life. I’m beyond miserable. This is not the abundant life the Bible speaks about. I have no life without her!”
Father Kyle’s heart was heavy for the young man. He whispered a prayer as he listened to him weep out loud on the other side of the confessional. His whimpers were heart-wrenching. Tears pooled in Father Kyle’s eyes as he waited for God to give him a word of comfort for the pitiful soul crying on the other side of the screen. Time passed as the young man wept and the priest pleaded with the Lord for a word of consolation. At last, the Holy Spirit spoke to him.
The older priest cleared his throat. “God loves you, my son. He will always love you no matter what. God is love, and He created us in His image in love. We are His children, and He loves us in spite of our sins. And because He loves you, it is His utmost desire that you are happy. God ordained love between man and woman. He will honor the love you have for the woman you desire in marriage . . . Father.”
The sniffles on the other side of the confessional ceased abruptly. Several seconds of complete silence lingered between the two priests. Father Kyle waited patiently for a response. He did not want the young man to leave angrily as he had done before. It was important that he receive adequate counseling for his ongoing spiritual problem today once and for all.
“Who told you? I mean, how did you figure out my dilemma, that I’m a priest?”
“The Holy Spirit revealed it to me while you were crying.”
“Now you understand why I can’t marry the woman I love.”
“I do.”
“I think I should ask to be reassigned someplace far away. Eventually, I’ll forget about her, and my life will return to normal.”
“There is no distance in love, Father. No matter where you go in the universe, she will always be in your heart. You carry her in your spirit. Your souls are connected.”
“Then what do you suggest I do?”
“Follow your heart.”
“Are you advising me to abandon the priesthood and marry her?”
“I am telling you that God knows your heart. Even before you were born, He knew this day would come. Our God is a very loving and forgiving God. He will love you regardless of the decision you make. His love for us has no end, and His mercy endures forever. Follow your heart, Father.”
* * *
“You better stop spoiling me. I could get used to this.” Royce leaned back on the stack of fluffy pillows and bit into another chocolate chip cookie.
“Mama told me to take good care of you. I’m just being obedient.”
“Thanks, Z.”
“It’s my pleasure to look after you. I’ve been taking care of you since you were a little girl. I don’t mind. You need special treatment now that you have a bun in the oven.”
“I’m not talking about that. Thank you for not flipping out when you found out about the baby.”
Zora sat down on the bed and rubbed Royce’s growing baby bump. “I must admit I was pissed off at first. I wanted to whip your butt. But when I saw you lying in that hospital bed exhausted and helpless, it brought back memories from our childhood. You were my sweet and innocent little sister again. I just wanted to hold you, protect you, and let you know that everything would be okay.”
“Will it?”
“What are you talking about, sweetie?”
“Will everything be okay?”
“Of course it will. Eric and I will be there to help you every step of the way. I bet Father Gregory would be there for you too if you would tell him he’s going to be a daddy.”
