Eleven
SOMETHING WAKES ME. Sounds coming from Father Leonard’s room. I look at the time. 2:00 am.
As I come to consciousness, I hear slaps, muffled utterances, one after another. I get out of bed and pull on my robe. I walk to Father Leonard’s room and knock softly on the door. I can hear the sounds more clearly now. Firm slaps, rhythmic, repeated. Father Leonard is muttering softly to himself. I catch one or two of the words when his voice rises with a slap.
Then I realize what he’s doing.
I place my hand on the doorknob, then remove it. He wants his privacy, and I don’t want to violate it, not for this. This is too personal. But I want to make sure he’s all right. I lightly grip the doorknob and quietly turn until I hear the latch slip. Slowly, I push open the door and peer inside.
