Wolves Among Us Read Online Free Page B

body away.
    “Women have their children, and men have their work, Erick. That’s what life is.”
    “This isn’t work, Father. This is cleaning. I should have a real job. You know you can trust me with one. I’m much stronger than you by now.”
    “For his sake and mine,” Stefan said to the saints immortalized in the frescoes around him, “grant him humility.”
    “I may not be humble, but I am honest.” Erick grinned, but Stefan sensed no real mischief in it. “Father, listen to me. You need to rest more. Let me do the hard work. I’d like to pay you back.”
    “For what?” Stefan frowned.
    “Giving me a place to live.”
    Stefan turned to look up at him. “Is that all the church is to you? A place to live?”
    “Father Stefan?”
    The woman’s voice made Stefan and Erick stand and turn. Mia stood there, clutching her hands together. Stefan sat back down with a grunt and wrestled his boot on, avoiding another look at Erick.
    “Father Stefan,” Mia said, “I came later than usual today, but I did hear Mass. I would like to confess.”
    Stefan gestured toward the confessional, and she followed in obedience. He glanced back at Erick, jabbing a finger back at the altar. Erick nodded and got back to work.
    Ushering Mia into the confessional, Stefan settled his back against the wood wall of the dark chamber. He slid open the lattice window frame that separated them and stretched out his legs, wiggling his toes.
    “Forgive me, Father,” she began, “I have sinned. I have provoked my husband to anger again. I did not mean to. I promise I will try harder. I know what is required to be a good wife. I always fall short, Father. That is my sin. But I will try harder. I want to please the Lord.”
    Stefan groaned and reached down to take the boot off again.
    “Did you just groan?”
    Stefan winced. “I did not groan because of you. I am sorry.”
    “It’s all right, Father. Your feet hurt. You’re a man, after all, and men work hard. It’s nothing to apologize for.”
    “How is Alma?”
    She had no reply.
    “She is not well, is she? The cough still grabs her? Is that the real reason you came?”
    “I’ve done everything you’ve asked. She is no better. Neither of us sleeps much anymore. She coughs worse at night. Sometimes she turns blue, and I know you will say I am imagining it, but I am not. It’s getting worse.”
    “But you said you provoked Bjorn; you were confessing to that.”
    “Yes.”
    “But not for the sake of your marriage, I suppose. Are you searching for the reason God will not heal your child?”
    Mia did not reply.
    “Mia, my child, do you trust me?”
    “Yes, Father.”
    “And you know nothing I say is intended to hurt you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Mia, this has gone on too long. I will speak plainly now. You are guilty of the sin of pride. Does God not have the right to do with your child as He will? Many mothers have sick children, and they do not complain to me as often as you do. Every week you speak to me as if God has forgotten Alma. As for Bjorn, stay out from underfoot. Content yourself with what affection he offers. Never has there been a man who could satisfy a woman.”
    “Yes, Father.”
    “Do not ask more for yourself than women are due to receive. Repent of the sin of pride. Content yourself with what you have, for these are the words of the apostle Paul.”
    “Forgive me, Father,” she replied. “I will try harder to please God.”
    “Try harder to please Bjorn, too. His work is difficult. Just try harder to please him, and he will be pleased with you. A man needs to know his wife will not peck him to death before he will come home to roost.”
    She sat in silence a moment before exiting. Stefan’s heart softened a bit.
    “And pray to our Holy Mother, Mary, for Alma. I have heard from other priests that the women bury statues of Mary headfirst in the ground nearest the child’s room. Try that.”
    Stefan followed her out, opening the church door for her. She