Bless Us Father (22 page)

“I know I’m right on both counts, Mary Margaret, and I still consider you my friend even if you don’t speak to me. Now I need to warn you that there are rumors spreading around the school.”

A cold, vise like hand gripped Mary Margaret’s throat. “What kind of rumors?”

“Those two girls, Jane and Becky have been telling people that Father Antonio has been doing weird things to them and they’re sure something has been going on between the two of you, too. They’ve even said that they think you’ve gone all the way with him.”

Mary Margaret felt herself pale. “Why would they think that?”

“Because they said you got all weird when they tried to talk to you about it. The said you were defensive like you didn’t want him to get into trouble.”

Linda reached her hand out and touched Mary Margaret on the arm. “This is our last chance. I was your best and closest friend from the time we were little kids. Is there something going on with Father Antonio? It’s your duty to tell, if there is. What about the other girls?”

Mary Margaret was finding it hard to breath. What about the other girls? Why was she responsible for the other girls? If everyone found out about her and Father Antonio, then would be the one who would suffer. She‘s the one who would be looked down upon. She’s the one who would be labeled the bad girl.

“No, I told you before and I’ll tell you again. There’s nothing going on between me and Father Antonio. Those girls are just being mean and evil.”

Sighing deeply, Linda said, “I wanted to help you. I just don’t know who you are anymore, Mary Margaret. I just don’t know.”

Mary Margaret watched her walk out the door, sadness washing over her, quickly replaced by fear. How was she going to be able to go to school with rumors floating around about her? How many people had heard the rumors?

She touched up her lipstick, powdered her nose, tucked a stray strand of hair back into place, then walked back out across the room and to her table.

“Hi, guys. It’s just about over. Mind if we leave a little early?” she asked when she got back.

“Yeah, we do mind,” Candace said. “I want to stay until the last dance.”

Mary Margaret reached into her purse and got out a small notebook. “I’m going to write down my address, and then you can come over when the prom is finished, okay?”

She tore the piece of paper out of the book and handed it to Candace.

“Why don’t we just wait until it’s over?” Todd asked.

“Because I’m ready to go now, that’s why,” Mary Margaret answered.

“Okay then, I guess we’ll see you at Mary Margaret’s house,” Todd said, shaking first John’s hand and then Mike’s.

Mary Margaret led the way, holding her head high as she walked out of the prom.

Once in the car, Todd said, “Did I do something wrong? Are you upset at me?”

Mary Margaret forced herself to smile at him. “Gosh, no, Todd. You’re the greatest. I ran into a former friend when I went to the restroom, and it kind of ruined my mood, that’s all. Let’s just go eat pizza.”

“Whatever you say. Just as long as it isn’t me,” Todd said.

“It will never be you, Todd. You’re the best.”

Mr. Riley greeted them when they arrived at Mary Margaret’s home. “Is the prom over already?”

“Just about, Dad. We left a little early to see if you need any help,” Mary Margaret said. “Where’s Mom?”

“You should have stayed, baby girl. I’ve got things under control. And your mom isn’t feeling well, so she went on to bed. Where are your friends?”

“There waiting until the last dance, then they’ll be here, Dad. Are you going to wait up?”

“No, I don’t want to rain on your parade, so I’m going on to bed. Call me if you need me. The pizza is in the kitchen.”

He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, shook Todd’s hand, then went down the hallway to his bedroom.

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m always hungry,” Todd answered.

They went into the kitchen and got two slices of pizza each and cokes, then went back to the living room to wait for the others to arrive.

Lying is done with words and also with silence.

-Adrienne Rich-

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

June, 1965

“Are you going to give me a ride to the rectory or not?” Mary Margaret asked her mother.

“I guess I have to. Your father isn’t home and you certainly need to continue working to pay us back for all that pizza we bought for your after prom party. You know, the party that didn’t happen? You and Todd were the only guests.”

“That stupid party wasn’t even my idea,” she answered. “I don’t know why I have to pay you back for it, anyway. We eventually ate it all.”

“And wasn’t I just sick to death of pizza by then, too? I’ll never eat another bite in my life.”

Mary Margaret reached for her purse. “Never mind, I’ll walk.”

“Suits me. I have better things to do than cart you around all over the place.”

Mary Margaret slammed the door behind her and stomped down the sidewalk towards the rectory. Was it her fault no one showed up after prom? Even the nerds must have gotten a better offer. She and Todd had stayed up until two in the morning, eating pizza and listening to records on the record player. Finally, Todd had decided the others weren’t coming, so he had gone home and Mary Margaret to bed.

Her dad had been really sympathetic, but her mom had been verbally punishing her every since. She was constantly asking her when she was going to pay back for the pizza, and what had happened to all of her friends?

It was just so stupid. How could her mom ask about her friends when she’d never been allowed to bring anyone home before Todd? Her mom was always too busy and never wanted the house messed up.

She had bigger worries now, anyway. Since the prom, she’d noticed people seemed to be talking about her at school. She would catch them whispering to each other and pointing at her when she thought they weren’t looking. She was really getting sick of the whole thing and felt like slapping some of those girls when she saw them looking at her.

She entered the rectory through the unlocked front door, and went right to her desk and sat down. The only homework she had was studying for an algebra test, so she opened her notebook and began. She was deep in concentration until Father O’Malley’s voice broke into it.

“Hello, Mary Margaret. I’m happy to see you, and I think we’re alone. I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”

“Oh?” Mary Margaret asked, her heart beginning to pound inside her chest. Father O’Malley looked serious, and he was usually either jolly or grumpy, but never serious.

He pulled a chair next to Mary Margaret, and placed it so he was facing her. He was wearing his black clerical clothing, complete with collar.

Taking Mary Margaret’s hands in his, he said, “I’ve been hearing some rumors around the parish and I’m deeply concerned about you.”

“Rumors?” She seemed unable to utter anything but one-word answers. Her throat tightened now and she felt like she wasn’t getting enough air.

“It’s come to my attention that there have been problems with Father Antonio touching some of the young girls in inappropriate ways. You’ve been working here in the rectory for quite some time now and have had many opportunities to be alone with Father Antonio. I want to know if he’s behaved in improper ways with you.”

All she could do was shake her head no. She couldn’t lie to Father O’Malley, so maybe if she didn’t speak the words, it wouldn’t be a real lie.

“Look me in the eye, child. I can read it in your eyes. I’ve known you since you were just a tiny babe, and I love you like you’re my own. Please tell me what he’s done to you.”

She looked down at the floor, and still refused to speak the words that would set her free. Father Antonio had loved her at one time. He’d said so. If she told what they’d done together, he would get in big trouble and her life would never be the same. She couldn’t tell anyone, not even dear Father O’Malley.

“Oh my child. None of this is your fault. None at all. I should never have permitted him to stay and minister in this parish after I found out....”

“Found out?” Now she was able to speak two words.

“Never mind, child. Please come to me if you need to talk. I’ll always be here for you.” He stood up to leave, but turned back to her instead. “Remember, there’s always confession, and I’m bound to keep it just between the two of us.”

She spent the rest of the evening thinking about all of the people in the parish and all of the kids at her school that must be talking about her. All because of Jane and Becky. She should never have admitted anything to them. They had taken the ball and run with it and now the whole world suspected that she and Father Antonio had had an impure relationship.

School was going to be out in one week and she’d have the whole summer off. By the time she goes back to school in the fall all of the kids will have moved on to talking about someone else. But what about working here at the parish where people see her all of the time? Maybe she should move on to something else.

Good idea. Tomorrow was a day off from school, and she could go look for a job. It would be good to have a full time job during the summer anyway. She could sure use the money. First thing she’d do is pay back her mother for the pizza so she would finally shut her mouth and stop nagging her.

Mary Margaret laughed out loud. That day would never come. Her mother would never, ever stop nagging her, no matter what.

Her mind made up, she knew what she had to do. But for now she had to get back to studying for her algebra final. Why anyone needed to know algebra was beyond her. Would she really use it when she was out of school?

#

The next morning, Mary Margaret dressed in her nicest church clothes, and fixed her hair and makeup. Her dad was at work and her mom was already gone when she went to the kitchen to get some breakfast. She left a note on the table telling them she was going to the Whittwood Mall and would be back by dinnertime.

She’d called Twyla and Vivian, her friends from the hospital, from the rectory the night before. They were also out of school and thought job hunting was a great idea. They were all to meet at J.C.Penney, where they’d put in their first applications.

It only took her fifteen minutes to walk to the mall, which was great since now her mom wouldn’t have to drive her to work. Maybe she’d even be able to save enough money to buy a car. Her parents had already refused to let her get a learner’s permit since they didn’t have money to get her a car and they wouldn’t let her drive theirs. Maybe they’d let her get her license if she had her own money to buy a car? If they didn’t, then she’d just have to save the money until she turned eighteen and could get her license on her own.

She checked her Timex and found she was really early, so sat down on a bench to wait for her friends. She checked her wallet again to make sure she had her social security card, and looked in her pocket mirror to check her makeup.

“Hi, Mary Margaret,” Twyla said. “Vivian got sick and couldn’t come, so it’s just you and me today.”

Mary Margaret smiled at her friend. “I’m so glad you came anyway.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. This is a great idea. I’m really nervous, though. What do you think they’ll ask us?”

“Gosh, I don’t know. I’ve never been on a job interview before. I was just sort of given the job in the rectory.”

“Lucky you. You at least have job experience,” Twyla said.

Mary Margaret felt a pang in her chest. Yeah, she had experience all right, and not the best kind.

“You know, our volunteer work at the hospital is sort of like job experience. When they ask you what kind of experience you’ve had, you can tell them about that,” Mary Margaret said.

“Oh my gosh. You’re right. That is kind of like having a job.”

Mary Margaret looked at her watch. “It’s ten. The stores are open now and the offices are probably open, too. Let’s go in.”

The two girls went from store to store in the mall, filling out applications and talking to hiring personnel. By the end of the day, Twyla had a job at the Boston Store and Mary Margaret had one at the Broadway. They linked arms and walked down Whittier Boulevard until they had to go their separate ways.

“This is going to be so much fun,” Twyla said. “We can meet up for lunch or maybe for dinner after work. I hope Vivian can get a job, too, so we can spend the summer together.”

“Me too,” said Mary Margaret. “It was really easy and the person that hired me said it was because I was so eager and got here early, before school was out. Tell Vivian to come as soon as she can.”

“I will,” Twyla said. “I gotta go. My mom wants me to babysit my brother so she can go take a tennis lesson. She’ll be mad if I’m late.”

“Bye Twyla. See you soon.”

Mary Margaret walked slowly towards home, not sure how she was going to tell her parents she had a job. Then she realized she had to quit her job at the rectory, quick. Broadway wanted her to start training in a week. She’d better go by the rectory first and tell them she was leaving, then it would be a done deal and her parents couldn’t do anything about it.