Page 56 of Vespertine

Jasper wrapped his arm around Nicky’s neck and gave him anoogie. “Learn to accept a compliment, Badger.”

Chapter Ten

ITHAD RAINED FOR HOURSbefore the sun rose on Thursday morning. Jaspercould smell the sweetness of fresh summer growth even within the walls of hischurch. The pews were full of people dressed in black, the silence among themso pure he could hear the wood creak in the rafters as it settled and driedunder the warming sun. A young girl, maybe twelve or thirteen, slowly climbedthe sand-colored marble steps toward the altar. As she passed the dark woodencasket, the piece of paper she held in her hands trembled. He was ready to takeover if she faltered, even though his singing voice wasn’t great. It’d beentrained over the years to at least keep a decent tone.

In the first row sat a young mother with a boy by her side.She cried while the boy stared empty eyed at the casket.

Thy will be done, Jasper thought.He didn’t have to understand it. God acted for his own reasons.

The girl glanced at him and he offered her a small smile anda nod. “Whenever you’re ready,” he whispered. She didn’t cry but she lookedlike she might, any moment now. Slowly she turned around. Her knee-length blackskirt whispered around her legs. When they’d planned the funeral he’d asked themother if it was a good idea to do this, but the girl had insisted.

When she closed her eyes and opened her mouth and began tosing it was as if the church itself let out an audible sigh. No one spoke, buteveryone lifted their head, and Jasper felt goosebumps rise all along hisforearms and up his neck. The feeling she infused into the words hurt hisinsides and, God’s will or not, why did she have to lose her father so young? Silenttears dripped from her cheeks and yet only once did her voice quiver. It nevergave out.Amazing Grace indeed.

By the time the service was over, Jasper felt drained to thedepths of his soul, especially since he’d already done the daily Mass beforethe funeral this morning. He loved his work—he loved belonging to God and theChurch—but there was nothing that took it out of him like the funeral ofsomeone passing away too young after a grueling fight with illness.

“There’s no such thing as too young,” Thomas used to tellhim. “We all go when God calls us to Him. We go when it’s our time.”

He’d known from his years studying theology that there werecertain things in Catholicism and the Bible he didn’t agree with. He didn’thave to, as long as he had the strength to believe.

Some days it was harder to focus on the things he did agreewith.

He sighed when at last the church was empty again. At leasthe had Thursday afternoons off.

Andrew stepped back into the sacristy with him to help himtake off the priest garb.

“You all right, Father? You look tired.”

Jasper smiled at him. “Just some trouble sleeping again,Andrew. Nothing to worry about.”

“Your yoga not helping anymore?” Andrew grinned. For somereason he found it hilarious that Jasper had taken up yoga a few months ago tohelp him deal with sleepless nights.

“I haven’t done it in a couple of days, so that might be it.And I have some things on my mind.”

Andrew turned serious. “Anything I can help you with?”Jasper gripped his shoulder and shook his head but Andrew held on to his handbefore he could pull away. “I know you talk to God, but if you need someone whoactually talks back out loud, I’m always here.”

“Thanks Andrew. You’re a great friend.”

Andrew gave him a look and then nodded, as if he acceptedJasper wasn’t going to talk to him today. “Well, enjoy your afternoon off. I’lltake care of the rest of things here.”

He hadn’t even had the chance to take off his collar yetwhen his phone rang, lighting up with the Blue Oasis office number.

“Father, it’s Mrs. Wells. There’s been an accident at theschool. Gus and the others were playing football and he got tackled to theground. He hit his head pretty hard and I think he may have a brokencollarbone. The ambulance is on its way.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Paramedics were unloading a stretcher from the ambulancewhen he rounded the corner to the school entrance. He found Mrs. Wells and abunch of kids looking pale as they milled around the playground. “Where is—” hebegan, and then he saw Gus lying down with a blanket draped over him, ascrunched-up hoodie underneath his head. While he wasn’t bleeding anymore,there was enough dried blood sticking to his hair, temple, and cheek thatJasper’s head began to spin.

Mrs. Wells appeared at his side. “I forgot. Are you allright?”

He swallowed past a wave of nausea. “Yes, I will be. Is he okay?”

“Yes, they’re taking him in for X-rays and such. I should’vewarned you about the blood.”

“It’s fine.” Jasper took a deep breath and slowly walked upto Gus. “Hey there.” He crouched down because the world seemed to be a littleunsteady under his feet. “How are you feeling?”

“Woozy.” He smiled weakly. “They think I might have aconcussion. But I’m okay.”

“Good.” Jasper carefully focused on the side of his facethat wasn’t covered in blood. “I don’t know if they’ll let me ride with you inthe ambulance, but the hospital isn’t far. I can take my bike and I’ll bethere, all right?” He patted Gus’s hand, then made room for the EMTs to loadhim up.