Chapter Text
I opened Chrome to look up a word used in a meeting. The web browser opened to a new tab, a news article caught my eye: A Christian miracle, Priest wakes up after being pronounced dead. It looked like AI slop I thought, but I had time before my next meeting, surely it seemed interesting. What I read blew my mind: famous Detective Blanc claiming he cannot solve the case, he was indirectly admitting to the fact that the priest died, came back to life, and then was found dead again at a doctor's place. Mysterious yet intriguing, I thought to myself. I checked the date of the article, posted a year ago; it was the same date.
"Clearly Google cannot do its job well"
"Minni, you got to open your mic we can't hear you on mute"
"Shit." I un muted myself. "Sorry, I was just talking to my cat, she has been annoying me nonstop"
It was a pretty uneventful day, but that news article kept circling in my head. It was frivolous to ponder it further, especially since it was a year old, but it would not hurt to visit. So here you are on a Saturday morning , cancelling all your plans, all alone in Chimney Rock, on the outskirts of New York City. Google Maps is absolutely garbage when its not a big city, so I had to ask locals for directions to this church. Turns out, since the accident, the name has been changed, and it's going to be reopened soon with the name Our Lady of Perpetual Grace. Grabbing all my art supplies and looked at the door of the closed church.
"This is a bad idea. I should go back home, but I am all the way here, so at least I should draw the stained glass windows."
So I decide to find a suitable place with both a place to keep my stuff and a good view. I circle the back and find a big stone to keep my stuff. I start sketching my draft.
"Hey"
"Holy Fuck, you startled me"
"I am sorry. I did not mean that the church isn't open, so I wasn't expecting any visitors. I am Father Jud Duplenticy," as he extends his hand.
God did I stumbled upon a great view. Father Jud was probably the most gorgeous man you had seen in a while: tall, with a slightly muscular build, and ruffled dark hair. He was wearing black slacks and a casual black sweater. His eyes sparkled in the sun, a majestic hue of blue and green. I didn't realize I was staring till he spoke again.
"Any problem""Oh no, sorry, I was just lost in thought. I am Minni. I just thought the day was super pretty and couldn't help but try to draw it."
We both shake our hands a touch that lingered in my head longer than it was. I Can't really tell him I came here just to see if the news article was true or not.
"If you don't mind, would you like some tea"
"I am sorry, I don't want to inconvenience you. I should be leaving. sorry for trespassing."
"I insist it will be my pleasure to host you, plus I would love some company; it gets lonely sometimes," he smiles earnestly.
We head to the rectory. "Ladies first" I smile at his politeness
"I never knew a place like such existed"
"You mean the rectory"
"YES, I thought everything was adjacent to the church"
He laughs genuinely, " Some churches do not; this one being the case"
He heads into the kitchen. "I can help?"
"I can make tea; give me a few minutes"
I look around the place; it was nice and warm and surprisingly homely. The living room consisted of a fireplace surrounded by multiple chairs and a sofa, and an office to the right, Father Jud, it read. Before I could explore any further, Father Jud came out with two cups of steaming hot tea.
"Oh my god, let me help," I said as I took one cup from his hand and put it on the table. We both sat on the couch with a comfortable distance between each other. We both took sips of tea; clearly being the more clumsy one, I sipped it without trying to cool it and I stood up in shock as I had burned my tongue, and in turn spilling the tea on my skirt. Double oops. Seeing me in my own misery, Father Jud jumped to help; he carefully took the cup from my hand, took a handkerchief from his pants, and started patting me. It was a hot minute before we both realized the closeness of our position, and a wave of red flashed across both our faces. Realizing the situation we were in, he coughed and took his place again at a considerable distance this time.
"Sorry, Father. I swear to God I am not always this clumsy."
"It's ok, things like these happen. Nothing to fret about."
Understanding this is the part where I introduce myself and explain what I was doing at his property, I spoke a believable lie, "I work in NY, and I wanted a retreat from city life, so I drove till I found a quiet town. I was always fascinated by churches, and when I saw the church, I just really wanted to draw the stained glass."
"You said you were fascinated, so I am assuming you are …"
Before he could finish, I cut him off. " I am not a Christian, but I am not an atheist either. I grew up in a different religion, but I went to a Catholic school my entire life, so I was close to churches and nuns"
"How is your tongue?" he asked, slightly concerned as I would keep my tongue after every few words.
"It has survived worse; it will be fine, Can I ask you a question? It will be intruding on your privacy a bit"
"Yeah, I would be happy to answer"
"You said it gets lonely sometimes. I thought churches had a big staff. Did something happen"
His facial expression turned to something melancholic , rivaling his earlier softer, happy smile. He looked at me with a glimmer of hope that maybe I would understand what he was going through before he looked back at his teacup again.
"Usually churches have a decent staff; this parish also did, but due to unfortunate circumstances, I am the only one here as of now. But I am happy that the previous Father Monsignor Wicks is no longer the head; he was a pretty tough man to live with. I am not necessarily liked in this town but I am glad I get to start this church again and make it a place for salvation."
"So when is it opening, Father?"
"About a month from now, when it's spring"
"Sounds like a decent plan; no one wants to leave their house in cold weather"
"What are you planning to do? Finish your painting and leave"
"That was the plan originally, but now I am intrigued by this place. Would you mind showing me around"
"No, of course not,the pleasure would be all mine. How does a drink sound after I give you a tour of the church" "
I did not know priests could drink, clearly not in my religion"
"Is that a no?"
"I never said a no after you Father, " as I gesture to him to lead the way.
"You don't have to call me Father, I reckon we are a similar age"
"Idk, Father, you look kind of old to me. I gotta add the honorifics"
His face turns into a big O, expressing shock. "I am barely 35"
"And I am 25 anyways lets go" You both laugh out loud.
Little did you know that day that you set yourself on a path you would not be able to return from.