5Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been fourteen years since my last confession.
A long time, the half-seen priest beyond the partition says. What sins have you committed in the last fourteen years, my child?
I've dishonoured my mother and father. I've used foul language. I've been vain and self absorbed. I've used drugs and drank alcohol to excess. I've had lustful thoughts, and i*********e outside of marriage. I've lied. I've had hateful feelings towards one of my colleagues, and threatened them with violence.
Luce's greasy hands wring themselves in her lap. Her satin Confirmation dress, an uncomfortable lacy thing glowing pristine white in the cramped gloom of the confessional, makes soft whispery sounds as she fidgets and squirms. Shame flushes her cheeks and traces little c
