Bless Me, Father

How Could I’ve Forgotten You

Jacob walked slowly along the road through Little Harmonie, as he walked up the hill he could see the Whitlock's house.

His mind heavy with everything he had heard today.

He sighed tiredly.

He was glad the Whitlocks had kept the town's lodge. It wasn't large, two stories, porch wrapped in white wood slats, shutters faded a little from sun, but it had always been clean, always quiet and it helped the lodge was connected right next to the Whitlock's nice stone home.

Jacob stepped inside, the smell of the lodge overwhelmed his senses; Lavender and boiled linen he remembered his dad bringing him there while he went to have coffee with Dr. Whitlock.

He missed those days, if only he could have made it back with his father, but God had other plans for him.

"Father Jacob?" A woman called, appearing from the kitchen archway, her stomach swollen in size.

She hugged Jacob tenderly. "Look at you! You've really grown." She looked at him, gasping.

He chuckled lightly. "The city's been good to me, Mrs. Whitlock." He looked at her round belly.

"Oh please, call me Candice." She said, smirking.

He smiled, apologizing.

"Well, Candice I didn't know congratulations were in order."

She laughed, brushing her palms on her hips.

"I know, right? Forty-seven and counting. Our almighty God likes to test his strongest children."

Dr. Whitlock came from the side hall, sleeves rolled, glasses balanced on his nose. "Test is a polite word, Candice."

Father Jacob offered his hand. "You haven't aged a day, Doctor."

"You, on the other hand," Dr. Whitlock said, shaking it." Looks like you might finally be getting some sun." Dr. Whitlock then pulled Jacob into a hug. "Sorry about your father."

Jacob nodded, giving the doctor a brief smile.

"Your dad was the anchor of this town; he will be missed." Candice said, giving Jacob a gloomy smile.

"Thank you. It means a lot how well you and the town talk about my father." Jacob said.

From the stairs, Maggie's voice cut in. "Can't forget about Estelle's cherry pies."

Jacob turned. "Ah yes, my mother's pies."

Maggie Whitlock, slightly older, no less bold. Curls still bouncing. A little too much blush on her cheeks.

"Hello, Maggie." Jacob said smiling, but Maggie rushed towards the priest hugging him... too tightly.

The priest became a bit flustered with Maggie's tightness around him.

"Estelle did make the best pies." Candice smiled, caressing her belly. Her husband softly chuckled at her, pressing on her shoulder.

Jacob looked down at Maggie's curls as she held him.

He remembered how she would follow him around town when they were kids, even if she was younger than Jacob, she always looked out for him.

And... he still remembered her crush on him back then.

Hopefully she has moved on... wouldn't want to hurt her feelings.

He thought, making sure his face wasn't pensive.

Maggie pulled back, "Welcome back, stranger." she grinned, giving Jacob a quick glance up and down.

Jacob turned back to the Whitlocks, coughing to break the awkwardness.

"It's good to be back, thanks for the warm welcome."

Maggie didn't reply, just drifted around the counter choosing a room key.

Candice waved him toward the small check in table. "We're glad you're here. Especially now."

"Are you guys worried about Helen?" Jacob walked forward.

Dr. Whitlock and Candice exchanged a glance.

Maggie didn't say anything... but her eyes lit up, like she knew something and wasn't sure if she should say it.

"Well not really Helen, she's just a sick girl. I did everything I could, but nothing helped." Dr. Whitlock looked defeated.

"And you still don't know what the rash is or what's causing it?" Jacob asked.

"No. I thought it was hives but it's been weeks since and she kept getting worse." Dr. Whitlock paused.

"I told them, she must've caught it from outside. They did leave out of town."

Jacob looked to the floor thoughtfully.

"Let's not forget about those missing girls." Candice mentioned.

And there it was... someone had brought it up.

"Yes... it's very unfortunate."

"And the Barrow's girl... she's back." Candice emphasized.

Jacob hesitated.

"I hope she's resting, God knows what type of journey she had out there."

Dr. Whitlock and Maggie nodded, but Candice hoped for the priest to give more information about the disappearances.

"I met a woman today," he said. "Outside Helen's house. Said her name was Delilah."

Delilah... that woman.

He thought of her again. Hoping the Whitlocks would reveal more of who she is.

That name had cracked the air just lightly.

Dr. Whitlock's face changed into anger. "Really? I hope Marta and Thomas don't think that witch is going to save Helen." he said, folding his arms.

Jacob widened his eyes slightly.

Witch... that word again.

Candice's fingers twitched on the guest ledger. "Honey, she's an herbalist."

"Uh huh, sure. I did everything for Helen, and they still think her stinking teas will work!"

Jacob felt a wave of discomfort. He'd just revealed Delilah's visit to the Whitlocks... something they probably shouldn't have known.

"Her name is Delilah Forest." Maggie chimed in.

Dr. Whitlock gave his daughter a look.

"What?" she crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. "You'd think we were back in the sixteen hundreds the way some people talk."

Jacob furrowed his brow. "Forest... Forest..." muttering to himself.

"You were just a kid, you might not remember the Forest family" Candice grabbed her belly for support as she spoke.

Jacob nodded slightly "Hmm, yes, I think I remember them."

"They owned half of this town. Landlords," she added.

Dr. Whitlock joined "They kept to themselves and had lots of secrets."

"But nobody really knew much about The Forest family, they were rich and mysterious." Candice went on.

Father Jacob listened carefully without interrupting.

"There were rumors about them being witches, and some kids stumbled on a ritual in the woods—"

"Wait—Colin and Jason ran into town saying it was The Forest family in the woods."

A memory was coming back to Father Jacob.

Candice and Dr. Whitlock nodded. " Yes, and once that happened, their family were embarrassed. There wasn't any evidence, and the Forest family didn't like being accused.

Jacob couldn't believe he had forgotten about his childhood friends.

Jacob shook his head slightly in thought.

Colin and Jason went missing two months later and were never found.

I remember missing them so deeply.

After that tragedy in Little Harmonie the Hackle family left shortly after the disappearance of their sons.

Jacob swallowed hard. All these memories that were buried or forgotten were hitting him like a train.

"The Forest family also vanished shortly after... now I'm remembering that my father told me it was unusual." Jacob whispered to himself.

"Yes, something we still can't explain." Candice threw in before Maggie shivered "Gosh that whole ordeal is just creepy."

Candice rubbed Maggie's back in comfort. "It is... Delilah was the only one left behind... thank god Barbara found her and raised her."

That explains... the girl in the woods.

As a child he didn't understand everything but he did remember thinking how could a parent abandon their child that way.

He still would be curious, and run into the woods, hoping to meet her.

Pieces of memories flashed in his mind of a girl running, being chased.

He also remembered his mother and the town making ghost stories about her.

How could I've forgotten you?

Barbara's name had rang a bell for him, he knew the lady before her exile. But he didn't know much about it and honestly, he was too tired to ask.

"Well, thank you, Dr. Whitlock. Ladies. If you would excuse me, I am very tired."

The Whitlocks gave the priest a smile.

"Of course."

He had a lot to process, but quickly composed himself, hardening his expression.

Maggie passed him a key. "You can see all of Harmonie Square from this room."

Maggie placed the key in his hand, letting her fingers linger against his. Father Jacob withdrew his hand immediately.

"Actually, do you have any back rooms?" he said.

Candice gave the priest a confused look. "Are you sure? The back rooms point towards the woods. Everyone loves facing the Harmonie Square!"

"It's fine Candice. I prefer the shades instead of the sun."

"You can always use the blinds—" Candice insisted but her husband stopped her.

"Give the man whatever room he wants, dear. The man said he was tired and I'm sure he's had a long journey." Dr. Whitlock grabbed his wife lovingly.

"Of course, Father Jacob. Sorry" Candice apologized.

Maggie passed the priest another key.

He stared at the key in Maggie's hand before taking it quickly.

"Thank you again" He said before disappearing into the hallway.

Did he prefer the shades over the sun? Or was he just hoping to catch a glimpse of that little herbalist, slipping out the woods...