Later that same night...
Posted 03-09-2010 at 02:37 PM by Tyler Bryan
After dropping Ashley back at her car Ash drove out to the Good Sheppard Parish. He looked at the phone next to him in the seat and figured Ashley would understand he didn’t want her warning the good Father before he had a chance to speak with him. He pulled up before the whitewashed wood clapboard church. It was a far cry from St. Christopher’s Cathedral, but that in Ash’s mind made it less likely to be looked into deeply if he was ever discovered. He watched from the back of the sanctuary as Father Michael lit the candles at the altar. There were two older female parishioners in the front pew. Ash could feel the sanctity of the place wash over his skin and he almost turned to walk out. Before he could Father Michael called to him and invited him to come in, willing blood into his flesh to give him the look of one of the living he turned back to the priest and smiled. “Father,” Ash said bowing his head and making the sign of the cross like he was taught as a child, “I am in need of confession. I am wrestling with a terrible dilemma and would feel better if I could get this off my chest so I can focus on the issue.” The priest looked to the ladies and excuse himself from them begging for a few moments as it seemed that Ash was in true distress. Leading Ash to the confessional he took his place and asked Ash to enter the other side. Ash entered and sat, closing the door, he started the usual Confessional prayer, but the words were a bit off. “Bless you Father for you have sinned. It has been four days and 3 hours since your last consummation.” Ash spoke low so that those outside the booth could not hear.
Father Michael, with a tinge of anger in his voice, “Do not make a jest inside the confessional, my son. If you do not have anything other than your obviously malicious…” The priests voice trailed off as the mental math of what Ash had said caught up with him. He stood quickly and made to move to the door when Ash’s voice brought him up short. “SIT down, Father.” Ash’s voice didn’t raise enough for those outside to hear what he said, but the command was heard loud and clear by the priest and he once again took his seat. “Before we begin, let me make clear where this is going.” Ash rolled up the photo he had showed to Ashley just a couple hours before and then pushed it though the divider to the priest. Father Michael gasped at what he saw on the photo and quickly tore it up. “Don’t worry about that Father, I have the originals still, but are we clear as to why I am here?”
Father Michael was breathing very fast on his side of the confessional booth. Thoughts raced through his head. How could this happen? They had kept everything as discrete as could be hadn’t they? How had someone gotten so close to take these pictures and they not realize it? What did this man want? Ash’s voice brought him back to the moment. “Well you are taking this less well then Ashley did when I told her. Oh yes, she and I have come to a mutual agreement about it. I do so hope that we can come to the same mutual agreement, Father Michael DUMART.” Ash could feel the tension in the man rising, “Your own brother and you a man of the cloth in the Good Sheppard parish none the less. How could it have come to this?”
Ash chuckled mirthlessly, “Oh, let me guess, brothers Michael and Lucas Dumart inseparable twins and in love. Both in love with the same woman and only one can win her heart. You lost out on that love and in desperation joined the church to deny yourself ever having to have that temptation again. Only each week you have to watch as the two come in to church, watch as their children are born and raised in the church, and then one night Ashley comes alone. Lucas is so busy with his campaigns that he doesn’t have time for her. She comes to you for the comfort of a caring brother and spiritual leader only you realize that your love never really died, you just ran from it. Weeks go by and she still comes to you for comfort and in a fit of weakness you give in and show our affections and she in her fragile state returns them. Things progressed from there. Am I far off the mark, Father?” The gasp from the other side of the confessional told Ash clearly that he had hit the mark almost the entire story.
“Please calm yourself Father or the ladies might take more of a notice of us and neither of us really wants that.” Ash once again slowly let his presence creep through to the other man slowly and he calmed down. “Now, let’s discuss a solution to this situation shall we? We each have something the other wants. You have a small amount of influence within the church and access to information as to the goings on within the church as a whole here in Lamar. This is something l would like access to through you. In return, I hold within my hands the ability to destroy your profession, your parish, your family and any hope of happiness you ever hope to have. I think it a fair trade don’t you? ”Ash waited for the importance of the last part of what he said to sink in. “Now I would suggest that you end the inappropriate relationship you have started with your sister-in-law and dedicate yourself to your parish. I have advised her of the same course of action. If I found out, and was not concerned about the arrangement before, just think of what those that would be interested might find out.” Ash stands and makes to leave, “I will be in touch Father Michael Dumart and you can give me your answer then.” He then leaves the confessional and the two women look back at the young man that has kept the Father so long. “Ladies, I thank you for your indulgence. The good Father has done much to lighten my load. Good night to the both of you,” and he flashes them a smile and a nod as he leaves the church.
Father Michael, with a tinge of anger in his voice, “Do not make a jest inside the confessional, my son. If you do not have anything other than your obviously malicious…” The priests voice trailed off as the mental math of what Ash had said caught up with him. He stood quickly and made to move to the door when Ash’s voice brought him up short. “SIT down, Father.” Ash’s voice didn’t raise enough for those outside to hear what he said, but the command was heard loud and clear by the priest and he once again took his seat. “Before we begin, let me make clear where this is going.” Ash rolled up the photo he had showed to Ashley just a couple hours before and then pushed it though the divider to the priest. Father Michael gasped at what he saw on the photo and quickly tore it up. “Don’t worry about that Father, I have the originals still, but are we clear as to why I am here?”
Father Michael was breathing very fast on his side of the confessional booth. Thoughts raced through his head. How could this happen? They had kept everything as discrete as could be hadn’t they? How had someone gotten so close to take these pictures and they not realize it? What did this man want? Ash’s voice brought him back to the moment. “Well you are taking this less well then Ashley did when I told her. Oh yes, she and I have come to a mutual agreement about it. I do so hope that we can come to the same mutual agreement, Father Michael DUMART.” Ash could feel the tension in the man rising, “Your own brother and you a man of the cloth in the Good Sheppard parish none the less. How could it have come to this?”
Ash chuckled mirthlessly, “Oh, let me guess, brothers Michael and Lucas Dumart inseparable twins and in love. Both in love with the same woman and only one can win her heart. You lost out on that love and in desperation joined the church to deny yourself ever having to have that temptation again. Only each week you have to watch as the two come in to church, watch as their children are born and raised in the church, and then one night Ashley comes alone. Lucas is so busy with his campaigns that he doesn’t have time for her. She comes to you for the comfort of a caring brother and spiritual leader only you realize that your love never really died, you just ran from it. Weeks go by and she still comes to you for comfort and in a fit of weakness you give in and show our affections and she in her fragile state returns them. Things progressed from there. Am I far off the mark, Father?” The gasp from the other side of the confessional told Ash clearly that he had hit the mark almost the entire story.
“Please calm yourself Father or the ladies might take more of a notice of us and neither of us really wants that.” Ash once again slowly let his presence creep through to the other man slowly and he calmed down. “Now, let’s discuss a solution to this situation shall we? We each have something the other wants. You have a small amount of influence within the church and access to information as to the goings on within the church as a whole here in Lamar. This is something l would like access to through you. In return, I hold within my hands the ability to destroy your profession, your parish, your family and any hope of happiness you ever hope to have. I think it a fair trade don’t you? ”Ash waited for the importance of the last part of what he said to sink in. “Now I would suggest that you end the inappropriate relationship you have started with your sister-in-law and dedicate yourself to your parish. I have advised her of the same course of action. If I found out, and was not concerned about the arrangement before, just think of what those that would be interested might find out.” Ash stands and makes to leave, “I will be in touch Father Michael Dumart and you can give me your answer then.” He then leaves the confessional and the two women look back at the young man that has kept the Father so long. “Ladies, I thank you for your indulgence. The good Father has done much to lighten my load. Good night to the both of you,” and he flashes them a smile and a nod as he leaves the church.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Now what is Ash up to? *evil grin*Posted 03-09-2010 at 03:14 PM by Lauren Nichol
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I absolutely love that at game Ash seems like such a nice guy, and then he turns around and blackmails a PRIEST!Posted 03-10-2010 at 09:25 AM by Kathy A 
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