Read The Mill River Redemption for Free Online

cold,” Josie stammered. She stood up abruptly and wiped her eyes.
    “If I’m here, the front door is always open, no matter the time,” Father O’Brien said. “I can see you’re upset. Perhaps you were meant to find my open door.”
    Josie glanced down at Father O’Brien. He was tall and lanky with a receding hairline and looked to be older than Ivy. Although she had made up her mind to head back to Ivy’s, there was something about this priest that kept her from leaving. He seemed to radiate compassion. Josie hesitated only a moment longer before she lowered herself back down into the pew.
    “I’m not sure why I came in here,” Josie whispered. “I haven’t been in a church in … well, I can’t remember the last time.”
    Father O’Brien smiled. “Everyone is welcome here,” he said simply.
    Something about his voice, his presence, was so comforting. Josie looked at her hands clasped in her lap. “My husband died last week,” she whispered, “in a fire. We … I … have two little girls, and the fire took almost everything we had, so I came here, to Mill River, to stay with my aunt.” Josie took a deep breath. “I’m so afraid, Father. I’m lost without him. I feel like I’m sinking lower and lower. And my aunt … the one we’re staying with … I don’t even know her. She’s all the family I have left. She’s been so welcoming, but I still feel like a horrible burden to her, being such a wreck and bringing my kids to live in her house. I don’t knowwhere to go from here. I have to take care of my girls, and I don’t know how I’m going to be able to do that. I feel like I’m drowning.” It was as if every thought that had tortured Josie since Tony’s death gushed out along with her tears.
    “I’m so sorry, my child,” Father O’Brien said. “Could I … could I ask your name?”
    “I’m Josie.”
    “Josie.” Father O’Brien paused a moment, perhaps to collect his thoughts. “I know you’re hurting right now. The way you’re feeling is very normal after the loss of a spouse. You’re still in the earliest stages of the grieving process, and feeling overwhelmed and afraid is very much a part of that.”
    Josie bit down on her lip, trying to keep some semblance of composure.
    “It’s always harder for people who have lost someone during the holidays, too,” Father O’Brien continued. “I’m so glad you came here tonight. It’s important now that you have people around you to support you. You say you’re staying with an aunt here in town?”
    “Yes, my aunt Ivy. She runs a little bookstore a few streets over.”
    “Ivy Collard is your aunt?”
    Josie nodded.
    “I’ve known her for years,” Father O’Brien said, smiling. “She’s … what is the word I want … feisty? Sassy? But, you’ll not find a more caring, giving person.”
    “She seems that way. Ivy is my mother’s older sister, but she and my mom never got along. Before yesterday, I hadn’t seen her since my mother’s funeral, and I’ve never really spent any time at all with her. Until now.”
    “You needn’t worry about being a burden to her. I know Ivy well enough to know that she would never feel burdened by helpingyou and your girls, especially at a time like this. You should try to open up and talk to her. Give her a chance to be there for you.”
    Josie thought about those reassuring words. Perhaps this kindly priest could answer a question she had asked herself what seemed like a million times during the past several days. “Father, how long will it take until I can get through a day without falling apart? Until I can think about my husband without feeling as if my heart will explode?”
    “It’s different for everybody,” Father O’Brien said, “and impossible to know. But, I can tell you that time will ultimately help ease the hurt. It may not take it away completely, but one day, you’ll feel strong again. You’ll be able to remember all the wonderful things