BY THE TIME MY CONVERSATION with Martin ends, I’m not only hungry but parched. I check the time, see it’s 2:00 p.m., and know I only have an hour before Steve kicks me out ahead of his more secular customers.
I go in and Steve sees me. By the time I get to my usual table in the back, he’s there with my usual beer. As he often does when it's quiet, he takes a seat beside me.
“How’s it going, Father?” he asks in a tone of someone who really wants to know.
“Not great, Steve,” I reply, in the tone of someone who really wants to tell. “I guess you’ve seen the news, so you know what's been going on.”
“Yeah. I’ve expected you to come in before now, but I guess you’ve had a lot on your plate.” Steve shakes his head. “Ashley’s family is a member of your parish?”
I sigh. “Yes. Most of the peopl
