Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
We lie in each other's arms for what feels like hours as the snow continues to fall. The missing piece to my existence curls into my side like she's an extra rib. Harper, my Harper, I don't know how I've lived so long without her.
"Is sex like that every time?" Harper's question is quiet as she draws light circles across my chest with her finger. She's swirling and twirling it between my chest hairs, and it makes me realize how much I just like her near me.
"I pray it is," I tell her with a smirk.
She swats me on the chest with a giggle. "Naughty priest. Are you allowed to say things like that?"
"Priest never means perfection. Besides, I've been me since I was born. I can't just stop that because I made a change in my lifestyle. And a good pun here and there humanizes me to the congregation."
Harper nods. "You're right. I remember the first time I saw you at St. Alban’s, and you were leaning against the pew talking to the youth group. I've been thinking about you since."
"Have I thanked you for the volunteer work you and your family do for the church?"
"I'm pretty sure you have."
"Well…" I kiss the top of her head. "I'm thanking you again. Without your efforts, I don't think we would have met."
She covers her face as it turns a bright shade of red. "I know, we're all really bad about going to mass. Mom attends every week, but we all try to do our best to help out."
"I get it. You don't have to explain it to me, Harper. You should know that God doesn't barter. Volunteering isn't a substitute for attendance, but you should also know that neither is a requirement to have a relationship with Him."
"Wow, I never thought I'd hear a priest say attending mass isn't a requirement."
I shrug. "I just want to be honest with you. A place of worship is a beautiful way to bring the community together. It's supposed to be a safe haven for all whether they believe in God or not. Our doors are always open, and there's a seat in any pew for those who seek comfort."
She sighs and returns to rubbing gentle circles across my chest. "You have such a gift for speaking about God and the church. You feel so welcoming."
"Thank you, baby girl. It's vital to the church that I make everyone feel welcome."
"I wish your deacon behaved the same way."
"Oh?" That gets my attention. "Has Dennis bothered you before?"
"Outside of his creepy existence, not really. He made a lot of spam calls to my mom's house. My mother said he called everyone in the member directory several times a week. It was getting to the point where my dad had to personally tell him to stop."
"Do you know what the calls were about?"
She shrugs slightly. "Something about donations for the renovations. My folks gave a hefty donation because my dad felt bad for scaring the piss out of the last priest, Father Kosloff."
That gets a laugh out of me as we sit up to continue our conversation. "Ah yes. The Archbishop mentioned that there were some complaints about Father Kosloff. I'll have to ask Dennis about those renovations and when they were supposed to begin."
This time Harper laughs. "That's a running joke according to my mom. The church is always collecting for the building fund but nothing gets built."
I don't like the sound of that.
"Since we're going to be looking over the books, how about we make a note to look through the building fund?"
Harper shifts to face me. There's worry in her eyes. "What happens if we find something wrong?"
"I can speak with the Archbishop and schedule an accounting firm to come in to go over everything. We should have had an audit when I took over, but Dennis insisted we wait for the year to end. Don't worry, baby girl. I'm not going to let anything or anyone hurt you. Right now, I'm just a friendly priest helping you get the experience you need for your project."
"You're giving me a bunch of experiences that go above and beyond getting a good grade on a final exam," she says, giving me a soft kiss.
The kiss reignites our passion for us to go another round. We eat, sleep, and fuck through the weekend. By the time I emerge from her house, there are about two feet of snow on the ground, and I desperately need to change my clothes. After finalizing our plans to meet later in the afternoon, I finally head home.
The humble house is down the road from the church and it's one of the benefits of being a priest. It allows me to walk to the church when the temperatures aren't frigid either. However, stepping inside leaves me wishing I shared my home with Harper. I don't want to make any rash decisions, but I know I'm okay with abdicating my role in the church.