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A gasp echoed from the worship area behind the door, and Ed imagined a group of tortoises, sitting in the church pews and eating the pages out of the hymnals.
“Go away. I don’t serve you.”
“You invited us and swore your loyalty. Don’t pretend you have any choice.”
“What are you doing? Are you okay?” said Stephen.
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been several years since my last confession.”
The crow’s feet near Stephen’s eyes gave them a sinister look as the he choked out his words. “What did you do to your face? Is that permanent?”
“Less permanent than the punishment I prepared for you. I’ve seen your sins, twisted soul.”
Ed made a fist, remembering images from Jennifer’s camp of Stephen, moaning and rutting like some coked-up porn star. He pointed at the cross on his face. “I wear this to mock the false hope you preach while doubting it yourself.”
Stephen touched the door. “Leave now.”
“You reject your own brother in a time of crisis? Who are you to deny me God’s mercy?”
Stephen cleared his throat. “We’ll talk all night, all week, but not now – unless you came to make a sincere confession.”
“I’m here for your confession. You’re a coward, and I’m going to take you down.”
Stephen shifted in his chair then broke into a fit of sneezing.
“Returning to my confession, Father. I acted on impure thoughts about my high school English teacher, Jennifer Parker. Have you looked at her hot little body lately?”
Ed drew the contours of a female body in the air with his index fingers then he acted as if he were squeezing a pair of breasts with both of his palms. Stephen avoided eye contact.
“Oh, yes. That’s right. You have seen it up close.” Ed paused for a confirmation but received none. “I saw you screwing and smoking pot at her family’s camp.”
Stephen nodded. “I’ve sinned.”
“So the tables have turned, holy man. Now, you’re making the confession. How does it feel?”
“You’re right. I’ve failed.”
Ed put his hand on Stephen’s balding forehead. “Yet, you sit in here playing the saint for guilt-tortured old ladies.”
Stephen turned and looked at the wall. “I’m no saint. I’m weak. I’m sorry.”
“You were hearing Julie Comeaux’s confession before her suicide. Why didn’t you report the child abuse she mentioned?”
“I did report it.”
“So you told the sheriff what Julie claimed you did to their daughter?”
Stephen poured himself a glass of water from a pitcher on a shelf. “No. She was delusional. I didn’t see a need to upset her family.”
“Did you hurt that little girl.”
“Of course not. You know me.”
“I wonder.”
“Wait. How do you know what Julie said?”
Ed sat down and leaned forward. “I have visions. Demons promise me greater powers once I expose you.”
