We Express Ourseleves Through Sin

The next morning, I woke up far before Gerard did, a highly abnormal circumstance. It was about six and he normally made breakfast at eight. My golden opportunity to help out. I padded down the steps and to the kitchen, grabbing the carton of eggs, cheese, ham, and spinach then searching for the pie tin. When I managed to get it out of the pile without making noise, I began my mission; make quiche for breakfast without waking Gerard up. I took the steps two at a time up to my room, getting my iPod and headphones to listen to while I worked. The house was unusually quiet and it set me on edge, so this worked as a quick fix.

“One, two, three
Do you see what I do?
Truth or dare
Yes, I double dare you..”
I swung around, tossing things into their place before throwing the concoction into the oven.

~

When seven thirty hit, I jogged across the tile floor of the kitchen to slap the ‘end’ button on the timer before it went off. I had heard some rustling in the priest’s room and guessed he was up, but told myself the goal was still managed. I pulled the pan out pf the oven and sat it on top, looking around the cupboards for the plates and a pie cutter. (Father Way usually had them out by the time I got to the table). The pieces came easily out of the dish (thankfully) and I trotted towards Gerard’s room, knocking on the white door.
“Just a minute!” called his rather husky voice, immediately grabbing my attention.
“Oh it’s no big deal if I you aren't all dressed up.” I grumbled, “Gerard.”
“Wait a minute,” He instructed again, sounding slightly agitated as a belt clanked. “I am still Father Way to you, by the way.”
I rolled my eyes, arms getting tired of holding the tray. Turning to the side, I bumped my hip on the middle of the door and turned to walk in. “-and is that because of respect or some weird fetish because-“ I was cut off the second I faced the room, seeing Father Way, jeans by his ankles… along with pinstriped boxers, and his hand directly on his.. Oh god.

I dropped the tray onto the dresser and turned abruptly on my heel going straight to the stairs and to my room, shutting the door. Is he allowed to do that? Doesn't he have to- My whole body shuddered as I flopped onto the bed.

For the rest of the week, I came down for breakfast, lunch, and dinner far after Father Way had left. When we did happen to pass somewhere in the house, we would never make eye contact. By the following Monday, the sight was still burned into my brain, but no longer bothered me. I tromped the stairs and sat across the table from Gerard. He stood by, throwing things into a bowl gracefully. Granola, berries, banana..
“So men of the cloth so spank their-“
“OH COME ON!” he dropped the spoon he had been using and turned bright pink. I snickered and took a handful of blueberries and crammed them into my mouth.
“Problem, Father?”
He snorted and rolled his eyes, going back to the food he was preparing, which looking really good, actually. He scooped up the bowl and the newspaper, turning to the stairs to go to his office.
I sighed in surrender. “Father Way, just sit down.”
He turned and stared at me. “I’d rather not.”
I rolled my eyes and let my hand hit the table. “How old are you? Two? It’s been like four days. Sit down.”
He raised his eyebrows at my abrupt manner and sat down across from me.
"So," I sighed, "How was your night?"
He rolled his head from side to side, cracking his neck. "It was okay."
"Good." I nodded, drumming my fingers on the table. "Fun?"
"Elllieee" he groaned, putting his head in his hands and turning red again.
"Yes?" I quipped, feeling a smile pull at the corners of my lips.
He finally lifted his head, grinning as well. "Am I ever going to live that down or?" he asked, watching me take amusement in my comment.
"You'd have to earn it." I winked, picking up my plate and walking to the dishwasher. He scoffed before following me.
"And how do I earn it?"
"Figure it out." I shrugged, turning to face him, my face only inches from his making me tense up. He stared down at me a second eofre scoffing again and leaving for his office.

~

A few hours had passed since Gerard had left for his office and I was bored. I had changed into some day clothes and wandered down the hall, opening the big mahogany door to the church. A few flights down, Gerard's office sat. I bumped the door open, seeing a startled Gerard siting by the window. Once he saw me, he sighed.
"I just threw a new cigarette out the window for you?" he grumbled, string with remorse at the grass below.
"I guess you did." I nodded.
"I thought you were a follower of the church." he sighed, lighting another stick. "Didn't you learn anything about knocking last week?"
"Maybe I was hoping to catch the morning show." I shrugged, flopping onto the chair.
"You really think I'd-" he flopped his hand around in a million directions, none very descriptive. "In here?!"
"Play some pocket pool? Hitchhike under the big top? Answer the bone-a-phone? Call down for-"
"YES. THAT." he exclaimed, trying to silence me.
"YAHTZEE!" I yelled, finishing my short list and exploding into choking laughter.
"Oh, and I'm sure you've never done it?" he rolled his eyes, sucking down smoke and letting it seep from the corner of his lips in the most captivating manner.
"That. Is for me to know." I chided, shaking my head.
"No, really?" I glanced up to see he wasn't joking.
"Well who hasn't?" I asked, biting my nails.
He smirked to himself "Somehow, I knew that."
"Oh did you now? And how is that?" I rolled my eyes "Do I just wreak of sin?"
"Some of the most enticing girls do." he nodded.
"Father Way, was that a compliment?" I asked incredulously, flinging my legs over the arm of the chair and smiling at him.
"Take it however you want." he winked playfully and returned his gaze to the window.

Notes