Читать книгу Safety Harbor - Chuck Cooper - Страница 17

Sometimes Father Callaghan wearied of being alone. He tried to imagine what it would be like to have a wife. As he got older, the yearnings had more power. He saw his years waning and knew that this loneliness was for life. No one in town could understand this experience. If celibacy was brought up at all, it was usually in the form of a joke. Talking to another priest didn’t help much because, too often, he learned more than he wanted to know.

Tonight, in particular, was difficult. He was exhausted. Since Joe’s disappearance, as he constantly offered assurance to others, he, himself, wasn’t at all sure what was going on here. He tried to imagine what it would be like to have someone to meet him with open arms when he returned to the rectory, to talk over the events of the day, to have that person hold you and replace the day’s troubles with tenderness and comfort. He thought that must be quite wonderful.

He reached over to the other side of the bed, pretending for a moment that someone beloved was there beside him. In his imagination, he could almost sense her presence and feel her hand reach for his.

His half-dream was interrupted by what he thought was a slight rapping on the door. It was probably a cat. He heard it again. Maybe it was somebody in need. He hoped not. He really was exhausted. The third time he was wide awake and thought that he might as well get up. He put on his robe and his slippers and opened the door. There was no one there, but he had a distinct sense that someone had been there. Down the street at a distance he could see a figure walking toward him.

“Mother o’ God!” said Father Callaghan under his breath. “It’s Joe!”

As he came closer, Father was sure that it was he. He stopped momentarily, smiled and waved.

The figure called out, “Good to see you, Francis!”

Then he disappeared as if into the ether.

The next thing Father Callaghan knew his alarm was ringing.