Now he laughs. “It is, but I don’t have you come hang out with me at the hospital. I feel like we both could use some fresh air outside of our daily lives. See humans who aren’t dying or confessing.”
If only he truly knew the last confession I heard.
“Actually, that sounds perfect right now. I do need to get out.”
“I can swoop by there in like thirty minutes. Just got to drop my car off at my place and I’ll meet you. We can walk somewhere to grab food or a drink.”
We end our call and I shove my phone back into my pocket. I flop down onto the edge of my bed and swoop Beocca into my arms. He purrs loudly. His fur has always mesmerized me withthe contrast of dark black stripes woven into light gray, and the little white socks on his feet.
He curls up on my lap like he usually does but I don’t have the time to snuggle with him. I lift him off me and look into his golden eyes. “Stay here and protect the church for me, bud.” A little meow comes out as if he’s responding to me.
I’m just locking the back door to my residence when I hear Caleb whistling. A giant smile graces his face upon seeing me.
“My brother from another mother,” he jokes as he bro hugs me. For an emergency room doctor he has the calmest, goofiest demeanor when he’s not at the hospital. Caleb reminds me of a silly frat boy. Yet I know that’s just him. He’s genuinely happy.
“Wanna change first?” he asks, eyeing my priest suit still in place.
I shake my head. “No. I’m not changing. This is what I feel most comfortable in. Plus, it’s not against any rules for a priest to enjoy a drink.”
We both laugh and head around the parish. The property isn’t large. It’s the perfect little slice of heaven in my eyes.
Caleb leads us down a couple blocks as we chat about our days. I leave out my moment of coming face to face with the man from years ago. I never told Caleb about that night. The only soul to ever hear of that evening was Beocca and I know he won’t be revealing my secrets.
“Where are we going?” I know this area. Not just because of the parish being in the neighborhood but because Caleb and I lived near here in college. Our old apartment is only a few blocks north. Caleb would frequent most of the establishments, usually with me in tow. I was never the leader in our outings, but I never turned down his invites.
He turns his head to grin at me. “Grabbing a beer at a bar we haven’t been to in years.”
That could be a handful of places. Going out was something we did often in college. I was such a wallflower, but he never made me feel like I was forced to be there. Outside of the church, I’m a very shy person. I became a priest because being in church was the only time I felt confident in my words. In myself.
We come to a stop, and he pulls open the door. I pause and look up, seeing the sign for the bar.
Murphy’s.
He was right, we haven’t been here in years. The last time was St. Patrick’s Day. The same night I accidently went down that dark alley to piss. That night I saw and met my dark stranger. The stranger who revealed himself to me just a couple hours ago.
I hesitate for a second before following him in. The memory of that night slams into the forefront of my mind and I’m drenched in remembrance. The feelings.
Oh, the feelings.
Nope, not going there.
Shaking my head, I refuse to let my evening be interrupted by my wayward thoughts. I’m here with my friend. Being a normal person.
We grab a table and sit down. Caleb glances around as if he’s looking for someone, and I do the same. The place isn’t as gaudy as it was the last time I came here. There’re no ugly shamrock decorations, or loud music blasting. Yes, there’s music but it’s older rock. The place isn’t nearly as crowded either. I can actually walk around and there’s no line for the bathroom.
“Alright, I have ulterior motives for picking this place,” Caleb says, drawing my attention back to him. “I wanted to see a cute redhead that works here.”
I smile at him. I’m actually glad to see he’s moving past Trish.
“Oh, do elaborate. It’s only fitting to confess to your priest.”
“Ha! Touché my friend.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I was doing my ER rotation about a month ago. Didn’t have a crazy night. It was actually calm. The cutest redhead came in. Had a nasty cut on her hand. Said she got it while cutting garnish and the knife slipped. I stitched her up. She smiled at me the whole time.”
He genuinely looks happy talking about her. Did he ever have that spark for Trish?
“She probably doesn’t remember me, and I’m probably being a creep by being here. But I wanted to see her.”
“You know it’s against hospital policy to date your patients,” I remind him. I’m usually a stickler for rules, hence my love for the Bible. A book set with rules and morals.
