Climbing slowly up the ladder, Father Martin wondered why he agreed to such things. 'To give help to those who ask for it.’ he reminded himself. Pulling himself up to the roof, he swung his old body over the ladder and landed awkwardly. Serena was already there waiting for him. She had her back to him as she stood watching the sunset. He walked slowly to her and waited for her to speak. As he stood beside her, the smell of her perfume filled his nose. The perfume was typical for young girls: sweet smelling, like peaches. The scent reminded him of the peach flavoured candies he gave to his brother’s grandchildren. He looked toward the sunset and felt the presence of God. Even though he believed God was everywhere, he felt particularly close to Him then. This feeling assured Father Martin that he was truly doing God’s work. Serena shifted her weight and brought her hand up to the side of her face. Brushing her hand back, she pushed her blond hair over her shoulder and away from her face. For some time, Father Martin and Serena stood silenty.
“I’m sorry I called you up here, but, like, I didn’t know where else to talk to you.” she said at last.
“The church might have been an idea.” Father Martin offered, trying to lighten the mood.
“Oh, I didn’t even think of that. Sorry.” She replied sheepishly.
Father Martin reluctantly turned away from God’s beautiful sunset to face Serena. He assumed God would understand. He placed his hands on Serena’s arms and spoke directly to her, though she refused to meet his gaze. “It’s alright, Serena: God is with us here too; I can feel Him. We do not need to be in a confessional to give confession.”
The straightforwardness of Father Martin had a good effect on Serena, though she turned her face further from his. Father Martin could see she was scared, and he thought it would take her some time to say what she needed to say.
“I’m pregnant.” Serena whispered.
The information did not surprise Father Martin, though its immediate delivery did. In the small town in which the kindly priest and shaken teenager lived, all private events were considered everyone’s business and word spread quickly. The occupants of the town, including Father Martin, knew well that the cheerleaders were too friendly with the jocks. Father Martin pulled in a deep, quiet breath. He didn’t want Serena to believe he was judging her, but he felt she clearly wanted something to be said.
“Serena, if you called me up here because you think God won’t love you, you are wrong. God hates the sin, but not the sinner. If you ask forgiveness, it is yours.”
Even though Serena’s eyes were on the floor, they flickered back and forth which told Father Martin that she had listened to what he had said. Her face was turned away, but her shoulders and hips were turned toward him: a clear sign that she was focused on him, and listening. Looking away was a defence. He assumed she probably could not look at him because she felt embarrassed and ashamed.
“Have you spoken to the father yet?” He enquired.
“No.” she replied.
“Why not? Don’t you think that he has the right to know?”
Serena blushed deeply, her eyes glimmered, and her voice cracked. “I don’t know who the father is.”
This news shocked Father Martin and for a moment he had no reply. Standing there, he searched for something further to say.
“I can’t keep the baby, Father Martin” Serena stated. “but I want to know if God will forgive me if I give the baby up for adoption.”
Father Martin smiled. What a soul she had! “Serena, there would be nothing to forgive. To allow the child to live, grow up, and be happy is not a sin at all. I am sure God would be very pleased with your selfless decision.”
Serena’s eyes flicked up and finally met his.
“Really?” She bubbled. “Thanks Father Martin, I feel a lot better now.”
Serena hugged Father Martin’s thin frame and quickly bounded away, her long blond hair swishing through the air as she ran. Father Martin decided he would stay to watch the sunset before returning to the church. He was sure God would understand.