Subcutaneous Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 45

He grabbed his weather-beaten , split handle leather bag and opened it . His holy water filled flask engraved with the phrase “ Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap ” was nestled in the center of his collection of crucifixes acquired from his various liturgical exploits . Singed on a few edges and a little worse for wear , an overlarge leather-bound Bible laid beneath the nest of crucified Jesuses at the bottom . The Bible was so damn heavy , it put strain on his back just carrying it around , but heaving it out for the “ final act ” made the whole aesthetic come together . His freshly washed surplice and stole sat crumpled inside his laundry basket along with the rest of his ecclesiastical vestments . It gave him a fleeing pang of regret that he had no time for ironing . Wrapping himself in the white robe accented with the regal purple shawl was his favorite part ; it almost gave the illusion of innocence . The thought made him smile as he loosely folded the garments and threw them on top of the pre-packed sacramentals . “ Firrrrrre … Smoke she is a rising . Fire .” he sang under his breath as he closed his bag and walked out the door of the rectory .

* * *
Her little Amy was finally asleep after the litany of prayers and pills that were pumped into her helpless 10-year-old body ; more pills than prayers if she was being honest . Mary continued to whisper prayers for the cocktail of drugs that traversed through her only child ’ s bloodstream . They only needed to keep Amy knocked out long enough for the priest to arrive . Tears trickled as she began sweeping up the charred remnants of what was a dresser only hours ago .
Mary noticed little changes in her daughter over the past year . At first she and Joe thought it was just pre-teen angst . Their little girl was growing up and testing her boundaries , a little backtalk and slammed doors were normal . Then there were escalating incidents at school ; her grades dropped , fighting , parent-teacher conferences where therapy was suggested . Amy ’ s emotions had become erratic , angrier . They never knew when their little girl was going to burst into a fit of rage . After school detention ended in expulsion following a fire started using the hem of another girl ’ s skirt . Private schools are used to sweeping things under the rug if the “ donation ” is sizeable enough , no one was severely injured so no charges were filed , but Amy was never allowed on campus ever again .
Joe and Mary ’ s marriage was already troubled due to financial instability and adultery before Amy was ejected from The Academy , the strain of a troubled youth made things exponentially worse . Amy had been homebound for a week when the dog went missing only to turn up in a heap of blackened bones just days later . That was the first time they felt fear of their daughter . They took turns shuttling Amy to and from psychologists , therapists , and specialists , always ending with more questions than answers . Amy became more withdrawn . She stopped eating , stopped bathing , and refused to leave her room . That ’ s when the constant arguing took a violent turn .
Joe had taken to the bottle in the midst of his daughter ’ s downward spiral . He and Mary fought end- lessly , blame was cast in both directions , and his being forced to resign from the firm did nothing to improve the situation . He was done . He had been done for over 10 years , but he knocked her up and this was the result . Mary had never worked a day in her life , she didn ’ t know how important his career was to him , she didn ’ t care . If he had known at the time that her daddy ’ s inheritance was almost depleted , he would ’ ve pushed her down some stairs or something . Enough was enough .
Joe kicked open the door to the bedroom he and Mary once shared , empty handle of Jack in tow . “ You bitch !” he yelled , startling Mary awake . “ This was your trap , you silver spooned succubus !” He stomped toward her with each venomous word . “ You wanted a big house , and fancy shit , and fake tits !” He screeched , snatching the comforter from Mary ’ s white-knuckled grasp . “ What did I get ?! A fuckton of debt and a demon child !” Mary sat up , furious at the words “ demon child .” Before she could form insults to fling back at her husband , the empty bottle came crashing down on her head .
Her head throbbed and her vision became blurry , but she didn ’ t quite black out from the blow . From her prone position she vaguely heard Joe barge into their daughter ’ s bedroom . There were more curses and screams she couldn ’ t make out , then everything went silent . She didn ’ t know whether she had lost her hearing or if she was about to pass out when a brightness suddenly lit up the hallway and a guttural cry filled the house ; a strange warmth touched her cheeks , then the lightshow disappeared . She continued to lie there , gathering herself .
Mary was still woozy when she wobbled into Amy ’ s room several minutes later . The entire room was ash , except for the twin bed at the center . The pink princess sheets , stuffed teddy bears , and her little girl were all unharmed and intact . Flames danced in the child ’ s eyes .
* * *
The good Father trudged up the ornate steps leading to the filigreed double doors of the Christian mansion . He chuckled to himself at the irony as he approached the landing . He pressed the golden doorbell .
The chime of “ La Cucaracha ” jarred Mary from her woeful chore . She took a deep breath . “ Salvation ,” she thought as she took one last look at her sleeping baby girl . It dawned on her that this was her last resort . There were no more options after this . Moments later she was closing what was left of the bedroom door behind her and walking toward the direction of the bells .
The recently widowed Mrs . Christian appeared before the young Father . Her golden hair was disheveled , glacier blue eyes puffy . Was that soot on her ivory skin ? Then the smell of burnt flesh filled his nostrils . He would have lost himself completely in that moment if not for the concern that darkened the features of the fair lady ’ s face . “ Father Nicholas ? We talked on the phone last night … I think ,” she stammered , a little dazed . He nodded , his dark locks grazing his perfectly curled eyelashes . “ Um ... come in ,” she uttered , stepping back to allow him passage . Nicholas quickly bowed his head in acknowledgment and stepped over the threshold .
He allowed his senses to be overwhelmed with the opulence that such ridiculous taste and debt