Temptation's Playground
Why does the gentleness in his tone make my pulse stutter?
Marco next. His confession is halting, full of stammers about a girl in the village, promises broken. Father Rossi interrupts once, softly. “Take your time. There is no rush before God.”
I hand Marco a prayer card as he leaves Our Lady of Sorrows, eyes downcast. His fingers shake. Mine do too, just a little.
The farmer is the last of the outsiders. His grief is quieter, a steady murmur about loneliness, about nights too empty. Father Rossi’s replies are brief, firm. “The Lord sees your sorrow. He weeps with you.”