What a girl needs...

[Katrina Scherbotsky]

... “In the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost. Amen.”


“Amen.” The congregation said together. Katrina remained seated in her usual spot, somewhere around the middle. Father Garibaldi had done a great service as per usual.



Members of the congregation socialised for a short while before slowly filtering off and heading home. The reverend had been busy packing his things while the local church know it alls played their usual game of Who is last to leave.



Katrina had sat down in her pew 10 minutes ago, pretending to pray so she did not have to interact with them.



It was not that she hated them... ok maybe she had a dislike for them. The I’m more holier than thou routine got boring very quickly. But hell, they were worshipping god as they should do, however those women pretended to be perfect. It wasn’t perfection that she hated, it was that she knew it to be an act. Even other members of the congregation would groan when they saw one of them walking towards them. These women were usually assholes with it and that’s what Katrina hated.


She heard the church doors close and looked up, they had finally left. Next time she attended an evening service she would be getting a look of death from them. Not that she cared.


Katrina sat in the pew, waiting for the good father to finish packing up and clearing up. Usually her remaining behind meant she wanted to talk. They had some fairly good discussions over the past few months although tonight was the first time she really needed his help.

[West]

Father Garibaldi carefully folded his bible closed, laying the bookmarking ribbon to keep track of which scripture he'd just used for inspiration. After the first decade, he felt as if he'd used every bit of inspiration from the book. After the second, he hadn't needed to use the book to recycle his messages. Now in his fifth, everything was becoming new again.

Of course, it also gave him the luxury of being able to question his choices without feeling guilty. Choices like celibacy.

"Well, you're definitely the last to leave tonight," he said as he approached, smiling.

[Katrina Scherbotsky]

"It was a good service tonight father. I actually wanted to speak with you about a matter that has been troubling me."

[West]

He gave a questioning look towards the confessionals, but didn't object; instead sitting down on the pew in front of Katrina and half-turning to face her. It was a subconscious decision -- he liked the girl, but there was just something a little... off... about her.

Most of the time, he just chalked it up to discomfort caused by attention from a beautiful young woman.

"Of course. I'm sure you've already spoken to Him but there's nothing wrong with wanting more loquacious answers," he replied, smiling at the joke.

[Katrina Scherbotsky]

"If you remember a few weeks ago, we discussed the topic of charity and it's many forms. Well I have been thinking of doing more for the community and was looking into projects or areas that were in the need of most help." She paused.

"Have you been to the bypass father?"

[West]

"The wildlife bypass?" the older man asked.

"Not since I was a young man, back when the kids used to go out there and shoot beer bottles and drink all night."

The way he said it isn't reproachful, or incriminating... it's almost as if he's reminiscing. Maybe he is.

[Katrina Scherbotsky]

"You should see it now Father. Its dire. Homeless, loads of them. All with tents. Good people that have lost their homes, everything. I do not quite understand how this sort of injustice could happen in the united states of america. I mean there are no signs of the government helping, no signs of anyone helping."

[West]

Garibaldi was a bit taken aback, and surprise was clear on his features.

"Squattaville's expanded to the Bypass? How? So suddenly?"

It seemed odd, with a significant distance between the two, but anything was possible.

[Katrina Scherbotsky]

Katrina looked confused for a few seconds. "Ahh sorry Father, my English has failed me again. I ment this squtterveeele." She said trying to sound the word out.

"You have seen it?"

[West]

"Indeed," he replied, nodding.

"It's shocking. Some of those people were just like you and I a year or two ago."

He sighed, shaking his head. "'Neither a borrower nor lender be'. The Good Book isn't quite as explicit but telling people God doesn't approve of their FICO score is a tough sell."