Page 52 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Calisto would take his penance later.

The tiny coffin was lowered into the small grave withcare and grace. Calisto stood back from it all, beyond his uncle’s and Emma’sview, to give them some sense of privacy.

Or her, at least.

Once the priest had said his final blessing, and thefirst shovelful of dirt was tossed into the grave, Affonso turned away. He benthis head and said something to Emma. She answered him back with a nod andnothing more.

Shortly after Affonso passed Calisto by, Emma turnedaway from the grave and followed behind her husband. Calisto watched them bothdisappear into the waiting town car, and waited for it to depart the cemeterybefore he too would take his leave.

It seemed appropriate to let them go first.

“Despite what the church may say,” Father Day said ashe saddled up beside Calisto, “I do believe that lost babies, or unbaptizedchildren, go to heaven. How can they not? They’re innocent—some never oldenough to understand the sins of men. God allowed them to be created for theirpurpose.”

“Is that purpose to die?” Calisto asked.

“Their time may be short, but that doesn’t make theirlives any less poignant, Calisto. I can’t believe that God would allow babiesto be lost, or born and die without their rites, only to deny them His gift oflove and heaven. I just can’t.”

“Thank you for today.”

“I see you’re missing something,” the priest noted.

Calisto looked down at his empty hands. “Missingwhat?”

“My rosary.”

Shit.

“I let Emma hold onto it.”

The priest chuckled. “I don’t need it back. He isalways listening, regardless of what I am holding when I talk to Him.”

“It seemed to help her.”

“Mmhmm. As it did you.”

Calisto wet his lips, knowing what the priest wasdancing around. He wanted to talk about what he had seen between Calisto andEmma at the church. Calisto didn’t want to talk about it.

“I should go,” Calisto said.

“You should be careful,” the priest responded. “Youshould be mindful of your affections, your care, and how far you let it go. Donot walk on lines so thin that they’ll break under your weight, Calisto. Hewill always forgive you, but it is earthly men who will not offer mercy aseasily. Keep that in mind.”

“I haven’t done anything, Father.”

The priest didn’t seem like he believed him. Calistohad never been very good at lying to the man.

“I think you have. I think months ago when you came tome with a confession about taking something that didn’t belong to you, thatsomething was your uncle’s fiancée at the time. I now understand better, when Ithink about you telling me how you felt nothing for the person you stole from.”

Calisto clenched his fists at his sides, refusing tolook the priest in the eye. “Do you want me to confess properly?”

“Confession is meant for those who are ready torepent; sins you do not intend to repeat knowingly. I believe that when youcame to me the first time, you didn’t plan on something happening again. Canyou tell me you believe the same thing today?”

Calisto couldn’t.

“Think of the sacrifices your mother made for you,Calisto,” Father Day added. “Did she turn her cheek for all those years, onlyto have you put in a grave beside hers before it was your time?”

Ouch.

Those words practically cut Calisto apart.