Megan wants to commit you.
They were right! “Mom,” Rule spat, torn between anger and despair, love and hate. “If she didn’t want me sent away, Dad wouldn’t have thought of it.”
“You’re underestimating your father. I’m quite certain Outlaw sees your distress.”
“He can’t see anything because of her.”
“I assume one of the sins you intend to confess is hate. Another is dishonoring your mother?”
“How can I dishonor a slut? Isawher sucking Dad’s cock.”
Narrowed eyes peered through the slot. “You spied on a private moment between your parents, young man. What happens in the sanctity of their holy bonds is between them.”
“You allude that I’ve broken a commandment by my dishonor, but she’s broken one, too. There’s more to it. Parents shouldn’t provoke their children to anger.”
“Please, tell me, when Rule’s Bible will debut? I’m sure there won’t only be an amalgamation of Exodus and Ephesians. What about Chronicles and Corinthians? Psalms and Acts? Lamentations and Revelation?”
“That isn’t funny!”
“Do you hear me laughing?”
“You find humor in too much.”
“And you find humor in nothing. One is as bad as the other. Now,enough. What were they telling you when you met Freya?”
“They told me that she knows me. She knows my name. When I’ve never met her.”
Silence, and then: “Were they instructing you to hurt her?”
The belligerent tone shocked Rule.
“Answer me this instant.”
“No, Father Wilkins. But it was a warning.”
“Did Curly, Larry, and Moe even consider that she knew you becauseItold her about you?”
Rule stiffened. “The Three Stooges do not speak to me. It is God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
“Quite unlikely.” The priest’s tone had gentled. “She is cookingBoeuf Bourguignon. She’s finally figured out what she wants to do with her life and is studying to become a chef.”
Father Wilkins’s unusual pride almost sounded paternal. More so than when Rule told himhow he’d conquer a dark thought or withhold from giving in to a violent idea.
“She will only be here today and tomorrow.”
“H-how do you know her?”
He was silent for a moment before he cleared his throat. “Her mother and I are dear friends.”
That made sense.
“Let’s begin again. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in His mercy. Amen.”
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been two weeks since my last confession. These are my sins. Hatred. I hate Rebel and I sometimes hate Mom. Lust.” He wouldn’t go into specifics. “Envy. I envy how well-liked Rebel is. Everyone just thinks I’m a freak. Pride. I have an excessive amount. My knowledge of God surpasses everyone I know. Except you,” he hastily added. “Wrath. I have excessive anger toward Mom and Rebel. Greed. I despise Mom’s power and wealth but wouldn’t give it up for anything.”
“No sloth or gluttony? You’d hit the jackpot in your smorgasbord of deadly sins.”
“No!”
