Page 14

Bia

Why does he hate me so much? Why does everyone hate me so much? I have never stepped out of line. Been the good little Mafia princess that they have always expected me to be. Does he think I want to be forced to marry a man who killed his first wife a few months ago?

I don’t, but I had no choice. I was hoping he would be the lesser of two evils but now I’m not so sure.

What does he mean when he says he will punish me? Is he as cruel as my Grandfather? Would he beat me? Rape me? Would he starve me? Make me go insane by keeping me locked in a dark room by myself?

His family seem like they are good people. Is that a facade? Are they waiting until we are married before they start to hurt me?

WHY! Why can’t I be good enough for someone, anyone, to treat me fairly? I wouldn’t care if I was poor if I had someone who wanted and cared about me.

“Knock, knock.”

I hear when someone lightly taps on my door.

“Come in,”

I say, and then Grace comes in and shuts the door behind her. She comes to sit next to me by the window. “Are you okay, dear? You have been quiet?”

“Yes, I’m okay,”

I tell her.

“Dear, you can tell me. Is it that you miss your family? Or did someone upset you?”

“Oh, of course not.”

“Dear, if my son was being difficult, hardheaded, or dense, you can tell me; I know how he can be.”

“But he is your son, I don’t want to talk bad about him.”

“If he isn’t treating you right, then the least of his problems would be you talking about him. Trust me, I spanked his ass as a child, and if necessary, I can do it to him as an adult.”

“Why would you do that?”

“You are family, and in this family, we treat each other with respect. And my children know the consequences if they don’t. Now, do I need to spank my oldest and dense child?”

“No, he just worried about my safety while he was gone.”

“He is just being paranoid. Don’t let him push you around, sweet girl,”

she says, patting my hand.

“Now I wanted to ask you something, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to say yes to please me.”

“Okay.”

“How do you feel about converting to being a Catholic?”

“Oh, um. I honestly never thought about it.”

“Would you feel comfortable doing it?”

“Yes, I honestly was never given the choice before, and I was told I had to practice Greek Orthodox because of my role in my family.”

“Okay. The reason I ask is because in the O’Sullivan history, the wedding of the oldest child, who would become the boss of the Irish Mafia, it would be an Irish Catholic wedding. I would prefer if we didn’t break this tradition.”

“Oh ok. I don’t mind but would you help me?”

Grace wraps me in a hug, and I sigh, soaking it in. Enjoying the warmth, it brings me.

“I would love to be your sponsor and guide you through it.”

A Few Weeks later

With the O’Sullivan’s family influence and huge donation, they made to the church, Father Michael was able to have my baptism a few weeks after Grace talked to me about converting.

Today is the day of my baptism. I’m wearing a thick white cotton sundress. I don’t want to take the chance of anyone being able to see under my dress. I’m trying not to do anything that would put any shame on Cillian.

Last night I asked Kayleigh if she had heard if Cillian would be attending my baptism. She gave me a sad smile.

“No, he didn’t say if he would or not.”

I pretended that it didn’t bother me in front of everyone, but after I went to bed last night, it was hard not to be pissed. I’m converting to Catholicism for him and his family. Granted, it didn’t take me long to decide to convert for the O’Sullivans, especially Grace, but he could stop acting like such a big jerk.

Usually, it takes more than a year for someone to convert, but with the big donation from the O'Sullivans family, it was rushed. It probably helped that I have offered to volunteer at the church. Father Michael was more than excited about me volunteering.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cillian sit down on the opposite side of the pew next to Aiden. Glad he could take time out of his busy schedule to show up.

“Will Bia Vasileious and her sponsor please come forward?”

Father Michael says.

Grace and I as we walk up to the fountain of holy water.

“I present Bia Vasileious for her baptism,”

Grace says.

“Do you desire to be baptized?”

Father Michael asks me.

“I do,”

I say with a nod.

Father Michael looks to Grace. “Do you support Bia with your prayers and example as she grows into Christ?”

“I will,”

Grace responds with a smile.

“Being baptized is called to worship and serve God. From the beginning, believers have continued in the teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers of the Lord. Will you commit yourself to this life?”

Father Michael asks me.

“I will, with God’s help.”

“Will you forgive others as you are forgiven?”

“I will, with God’s help.”

“Will you love your neighbor as yourself, and strive for peace and justice?”

“I will, with God’s help.”

“Will you accept following Jesus Christ in your daily life?”

“I will, with God’s help?”

“Will you proclaim by words and actions?”

“I will, with God’s help.”

Father Michael turns back to the church.

“Will you join in promising your support?”

“We will,”

everyone says.

“Come Holy Spirit,”

Father Michael says.

“Bearing gifts of grace,”

everyone says.

Father Michael then moves into the Prayers of Baptism Hymn.

“For all God’s friends, that we may shine with truth and love so that people may know God and be drawn to the friendship with God, let us pray to the Lord.”

“Lord, have mercy,”

everyone states.

“For Bia, whom we baptize today, that she may continue to grow in love and friendship with God, growing brighter each day, let us pray to the Lord.”

“Lord, have mercy.”

“For peace in the world, for peace in Bia, and for peace everywhere, let us pray to the world.”

“Lord, have mercy.”

Father Michael leads us through a few more baptizing hymns before it is time for me to be baptized. Father Michael holds his hand for me and helps me inside of the holy water fountain. I carefully step inside and sit down on my calves. Father Michael holds the decanter of water as he says, “Bia, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Amen!”

everyone says.

Father Michael has me lean my head forward and pours the water over my head.

“Bia, you are now sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own.”

“Amen!”

everyone says.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you by the water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon Bia, your servant, the forgiveness of sin and have raised her for the new life of grace. Sustain her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give her the courage and will to persevere and to love you and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.”

“Amen!”

everyone says.

I slowly rise, expecting Father Michael to be standing there with his hand out only to see Cillian in his place. I gently place my hand in his. He guides me out and wraps his jacket around my shoulders and buttons it up. He is not fooling me; it is not to be sweet, he just doesn’t want me to be indecent in front of anyone.

“Let us welcome the newly baptized!”

Father Michael says. Cillian holds my hand as he leads us out of the church and into a back room. I keep quiet until we are alone.

“Cillian, I-”

But he cuts me off.

“Here, change. You are my fiancée, and no one gets to see you like that.”

“No one could see.”

“I said change, Bia.”

He shoves a bag of clothes at my chest before storming out of the room. I shake my head but get changed.