A Beautiful Sin Read Online Free Page A

A Beautiful Sin
Book: A Beautiful Sin Read Online Free
Author: A. M. Hargrove, Terri E. Laine
Pages:
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said to fill the silence. “I hate to cut this short, but I need to get my packing started.”
    “Okay, Son. Do you need us to come and help?”
    “No, I’ve got this. I don’t own very much.”
    “Right. But will it all fit in your car?”
    “Dad, I’ll be living in the rectory, so I don’t need furniture. Remember?”
    “That’s right. You let us know if you need us.”
    “I will, and thanks, Dad. I love you both.”
    “Same here.”
    By the time I made it to my quarters, which really only consisted of a bedroom and bathroom, my thoughts had drifted back to my days as an altar server at Holy Cross. Father O’Brien haunted my dreams for years, and I hoped I could be free from those nightmares that were my reality. Only I wasn’t. Immediately, I fell to my knees to beg for God’s forgiveness in being relieved over the demise of the man.
    A few days later, I drove from what had been my home at the Moreau Seminary, located at the University of Notre Dame. That was where I had been educated, ordained into the priesthood, and then served in different capacities on staff. It was going to be a huge transition for me, one I doubted I was prepared for. My soul had been permanently cracked and scarred by the things that had transpired in the bowels of the church. I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be when I entered the place. The day I left, I secretly vowed never to return. Was there another lesson I would be forced to endure upon my return? Or perhaps not a lesson but a test? Whichever the case, I would discover it soon enough.
    It didn’t take long to drive from South Bend, Indiana, to Bloomville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The new pastor, Father William Cernak, would be there when I arrived. He’d known my parents since he had been the associate pastor to Father O’Brien. I didn’t know him, but Mom and Dad had nothing but good things to say about him. I wondered if he had any idea about Father O’Brien’s sacrilegious use of the sacristy and his depraved methods of punishment. Probably not. Father O’Brien would’ve been too smart to let that slip out of the bag.
    On the way, I stopped by my parents’ for dinner having not seen them in some time. Mom made my favorites and Dad was happy to have someone to talk about sports and politics to.
    “I can’t believe this day has come,” Mom said. “For a while there I thought maybe you would have chosen a different profession.”
    “And that would have been okay,” Dad added.
    Although I knew they were very proud of my choice.
    Mom’s smile warmed me where cold had seeped into my bones from the topic of conversation. “I was so worried about you. You pulled back from wanting to attend Mass. Thank heaven for Father Rose. When he started Saturday evening service, you seemed brightened by the prospect. It’s a shame he had to leave to take care of family. He was young and I thought he really helped you reconnect with God.”
    Father Rose had been a godly man. But I was more grateful not to serve as altar boy when Father O’Brien gave the service. 
    I’d almost lost faith, but had come to accept who I was and trusted God’s plan for me.
    I didn’t stay long, much to Mom’s disappointment. I said my goodbyes and drove to the rectory to meet Father Cernak.
    When he ushered me inside with a friendly and easygoing manner that I liked, I knew instantly we would get along great. We sat and talked about what my goals were, which, to his surprise and my own, I told him truthfully that I’d been prepared to stay on staff at the seminary.
    “I’ll be honest. I had no idea this was coming. I was happy where I was, so this took me by surprise,” I said.
    He smiled gently. “God often works in mysterious ways, Canaan. There’s a good reason He brought you back here. I’m sure it will be revealed to you soon enough.”
    My guts twisted at the thought. The idea of counseling people I knew and the potential things I might learn chilled me. I questioned
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