He didn’t say anymore, didn’t press her with questions, and she sensed he was waiting for her to open up. She appreciated, more than he would ever know, his giving her time and space to collect herself. Clearly, this was a man who didn’t pry.
“I’m sorry I haven’t come here more often,” she said. “I live practically down the block. I hope you’re not offended.”
He smiled.
“I’m happy that you’re here now. The present is all we have, isn’t it? All of our mistakes, all of our regrets—all that we’ve done in the past—it’s nothing compared to the power of the present.
Thank you for coming now.”
He stepped to the side and opened the door for her. They continued down a stone corridor, leading towards the rear courtyard.
“I’m afraid I’m not very good with confession,” Caitlin said. “I don’t even know what it is, really. I don’t think I’ve ever done it—or at least properly. I’m not really sure what to say—”
“Don’t worry about any of that,” he said reassuringly. “Just speak from your heart. Tell me whatever you want to tell me.”
They walked out into a small courtyard in the back of the church. It was beautiful, quaint, filled with blooming fall flowers of every variety and a small pumpkin patch, and framed by large, reassuring, ancient trees, their leaves a medley of color, many of which were sprinkled in the garden.
They followed a narrow, stone pathway and made their way to a bench beneath a tree.
They sat side by side and Caitlin leaned back, feeling at ease for the first time in days. A cool October breeze caressed her, taking off the heat of the sun. All around her, birds were chirping.
They sat there in silence for what felt like forever. Not once did the Father intrude on her thoughts. Clearly, this was a patient man, well-trained in the art of listening.
Caitlin didn’t quite know how to begin.
“My daughter, Scarlet, is sick,” she finally said.
He turned to her, looking back with caring eyes.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Yesterday—” she began, then stopped. My God, was it only yesterday? she thought. It felt like years had passed. “Yesterday…she came home sick from school. Then…she ran out of the house. She was missing, until today. We found her in the morning, and took her to the hospital. She was fine.
The doctors say she’s fine. But I don’t feel that she’s fine.”
“What’s wrong with her?” he asked again.
Caitlin sighed, trying to figure how to phrase it. She wanted to stop beating around the bush.
“Father, do you believe in the paranormal?” she asked.
He turned and really looked at her for the first time, and she could see his green eyes widen in surprise. He looked away.
“If by that you mean, do I believe there are spiritual and unexplained forces beyond the physical realm? Yes, I do. I do not believe that we live in just a physical realm. There are clearly things in God’s universe that are meant to be unexplained. Things which we were never meant to understand.”
“But do you believe in the…supernatural?” Caitlin asked. “I mean—for example—the Catholic Church—it believes in spirits, right? Demons? Possession? Exorcism? I mean—you have exorcism rituals, don’t you?”
He shifted in his seat and rubbed his palms on his knees, and she could sense he was uncomfortable. He cleared his throat.
“Officially, yes. There is a ritual in the Catholic Church for exorcism. Have I ever seen it in practice? No. Have I ever practiced it myself? No. It is a very rare thing. As much as it may have been dramatized in the movies,” he said with a smile, “it is something you really never hear about.” He paused. “Why do you ask?”
Caitlin collected her thoughts. She wanted to say the right thing, and didn’t want to seem crazy.
“I guess what I’m asking you is…do you believe in it? Do you believe that such a thing can exist?”
He blinked, and she could see him thinking. He was silent for a long time.
Finally, he took a deep breath.
“Yes. Personally, I do. Over my years, I have certainly encountered things which I could not explain. What I like to think of as intense, spiritual moments. Moments where people’s spirits defied their bodies, and vice versa. There is a spiritual realm. And yes, of course, where there is light, there is darkness—and there can be a dark side to the spiritual realm, as well. In my view, though, light is stronger than darkness—and all darkness can be conquered by the light.” He paused, looking at her.
“Why do you ask? Are you concerned for your daughter? Has something happened to her?” Caitlin decided she had to tell him. She had no choice, and she felt she could trust him.
“I don’t believe that my daughter is possessed, no,” she said. “I know this whole conversation must sound crazy, forgive me—”
He held up a palm.
“Please. I don’t judge. You would not believe the things I see and hear. Nothing surprises me, and I’m open to anything.”
Caitlin sighed, feeling better.
“I don’t believe that Scarlet is possessed, no. But I do think she is suffering from something that is not…physical, for lack of a better word. You see, father,” she said, and dropped her voice, “I believe that my daughter is becoming a vampire.”
He stared back at her, his eyes opening twice as wide. He looked startled. But, to Caitlin’s relief, she didn’t sense he was dismissing her.
He sat there for several moments, as he looked out at the garden in amazed silence.
“I’m not crazy, father. I’m a scholar. I have a beautiful, loving family. I’ve been a member of this community for years. I…I…”
Caitlin suddenly lowered her head into her hands and started to cry, realizing how crazy she sounded.
To her surprise, she felt a reassuring hand on her back.
“There is no need to explain, or apologize. I don’t judge you.” She looked up at him, through teary eyes.
“But do you believe me? Do you believe it’s possible? That vampires can exist?” He sighed and looked away.
“It’s complicated,” he said. “There is a long and complex history between the paranormal and the Catholic Church. Over the centuries, some factions have discounted it as absurd; others have acknowledged it. The official position now is somewhere in between. Exorcism is safer ground. But when you deal with other…forms of the supernatural…it is a very fine line.”