*
RORY LOOKED AThis watch when the alarm went off. It was six. “Oh, I better get home and get ready for church.”
“Okay, do you want to meet at the park this afternoon?” Bernard asked, his voice robotic from his CPAP mask.
“Yes, I do.” Rory smiled. “Does two sound good?”
“Two is perfect.”
Bernard removed his mask so they could kiss before Rory headed out.
*
RORY SAT BETWEENhis parents at church. He missed everything being said. His thoughts remained with Bernard, and the evening they spent together. Comfortable in Bernard’s arms and his bed. This was love.
“It’s good you have decided church is the place to be,” his mother said, “not gallivanting around.”
Rory nodded but didn’t respond. He didn’t care what she thought right now. What did she know about his feelings? She didn’t know what his heart wanted; all she knew was what tradition told her. He wouldn’t live his life that way anymore.
The priest approached him after service. “Rory, I would like to talk to you.”
“Yes, Father Joseph.” He looked back to his parents. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Come with me,” Father Joseph said.
Rory followed him. Had it been too long since his last confession?
They entered a small office, not the confessionals.
“Is there something wrong, Father?”
“No, your mother has brought up some concerns to me and asked that I intervene.”
Had his mother talked to Father Joseph about his personal life? That was unacceptable. She had no right to talk to anyone about what he did. What had she told him? Did she tell him about Bernard? Did she tell him she thought he was gay? He feared they would try to send him to a conversion camp. While they designed those places for teenagers, adult conversion camps existed. They could hold his standing in the church as ransom until he completed a course.
“What did she say?” His throat dried out as he said the words.
“She’s concerned that you’re still unmarried.”
“I haven’t found the right person yet.”
He’d said person and not the right woman. Father Joseph seemed to notice as well. He raised an eyebrow.
“The right woman is probably in front of you, but you are too blind to see.” He emphasized the word woman.
“I’m sure I’ll know when it’s right.” Rory wasn’t going to give Father Joseph any more ammunition.
“Well, I’m sure you could learn to love the woman you marry. You’re getting older and at some point, you’ll have to choose. Missy is a lovely girl. You might give her a chance.”
His mother had told him more than he’d ever want anyone to know. He and Missy had this discussion. They were not interested in each other.
“Yes, Father. I will do as you ask.”
Years in the church taught him to agree with his elders and do as they say. You don’t back-talk, argue, or disagree. You do what you’re told and move on. He had no intention of courting Missy, but Father Joseph didn’t need to know that.
“On another subject. It’s been a while since your last confession. You may want to stop by soon.”
“Yes, Father.”
