Confession

Another day finished. Working as a manager in the top range fashion store in the city’s massive shopping mall, Erin was locking up at the end of the day. She was wearing her usual black leather jacket and leggings combo, her brown hair straightened out. She was beautiful and sexy. She began making her way through the mall when she spotted Ashleigh, one of the shopping mall cleaners. She was quite a plain girl, blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, but still attractive. Ashleigh noticed Erin looking at her and grabbed her chance to speak with her. ...

“How long have these bothered you?” said the voice. “Since I was a child.” “But how long have they bothered you?” the voice insisted. “I just said-” The voice interrupted him mid-sentence. It had done this nearly a half-dozen times. It was getting to be profoundly annoying. “How long?” He furrowed his brow. Eventually, Alen spoke. “Twenty years.” When there was a pause, he continued. “Twenty years and.. and I don’t know how many days. Since I was a child. It came and went. Sometimes I was perfectly normal. Other times it was unbearable. But for several years now, it’s been the same frustration and the same… empty sensations.” ...

“For your penance say ten Hail Mary’s and five Our Father’s. Now give me a good act of contrition.” “Oh, my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I …” The priest tucked his finger through the curtain. A girl, or more like a young woman, knelt in the pew. Petite, short dark hair, she knelt with her hands clasped, gazing at the altar. Last one, God willing. He checked his watch. With any luck he’d be out of there and back in the rectory in ten minutes, a single-malt scotch in hand. ...