Beautiful Child Read Free Page B

said Brendan. He smiled at the plate of eggs and bacon that Ann placed before him. ‘ Just how I like it,’ he said, ‘the eggs runny and the bacon soft.’
    ‘I should know what you like by now, Brendan, after all these years,’ said Ann.  
    ‘And back then we didn’t have any problem getting priests.’
    ‘Back then the church didn’t have any trouble getting priests to come to anywhere,’ said Ann, ‘but you’ve kept on coming back.’
    ‘Like the proverbial bad penny.’ Added Brendan with a wink at her.
    ‘I wanted so much for our Matt to go into the priesthood,’ said Ann, sighing like she always did when she thought of it, ‘but it wasn’t to be.’
    ‘No,’ said Brendan. ‘ It wasn’t but Matthew has a very worthy career in medicine. Priests and doctors both give to the community we serve. And as for your Susie, well she’s doing fine running the family business, Ann, which must make you very proud. I’d say your lot were doing alright.’
    ‘I’ve much to be grateful for, Brendan,’ said Ann.
    ‘And much to look forward to,’ said Brendan, ‘like Susie’s wedding for instance. That’s going to be a grand affair.’
    ‘It is,’ said Ann, ‘but I’ve still no grandchildren though, Brendan.’
    ‘They’ll come, Ann’ said Brendan, ‘I’m sure of it.’
    ‘Well I don’t know when Susie will feel inclined to give in to the natural forces of nature,’ said Ann, ‘she’s too busy being a career girl. And as for our Matt… well he would’ve been headed for happiness if the devil hadn’t got in his way and turned his life into darkness.’
    ‘Is that your view or his, Ann?’
    ‘It’s mine, Brendan, as you well know.’
    ‘Would you take all that bitterness out of your voice, Ann? I’d have been looking to you to show some love and compassion.’
    Ann sniffed. ‘Yes, well, let’s just say I have to pray to God for the strength to do that where Matt’s so-called lifestyle is concerned.’
    ‘And I can see you’re not listening to the Almighty’s responses.’
    ‘God always listens, Brendan,’ said Ann, ‘but I’m only human after all although I’ll try. I’ll try, Brendan. For your sake, I’ll try.’
    ‘Good.’
    ‘But if our Matthew doesn’t repent for his sin then I shall surely not see him in Heaven with me.’
    ‘Love the sinner and condemn the sin, Ann.’
    ‘Oh I know that, Brendan,’ said Ann, impatiently, ‘but I can’t stop him from leading a sinful life.’
    ‘Hope is the last thing you should lose in this instance, Ann.’
    ‘But His Holiness the Pope said again just last week in Rome that those who lead the sinful life that Matthew does shall not be welcomed into Heaven.’
    ‘Then we  must pray harder than ever that the blinding light of Christ shall rip the sin from Matthew’s otherwise noble life, Ann.’
    ‘We shall, Brendan.’
    ‘And being a doctor is a noble life, Ann, no matter where else he lets life take him.’
    ‘I know, Brendan, I know.’
    ‘And he sticks to that practice right in the middle of one of the most impoverished areas of the city,’ said Brendan, ‘that’s got to say something good about the man and his values.’
    ‘You’re right there, he does care for the people he sees, I’ve seen him in action and it makes me proud. Perhaps I expect too much.’
    ‘And with regard to the Holy Pontiff, Ann, I don’t believe he is always infallible.’
    Ann gasped. ‘Brendan!’
    ‘Well I don’t, Ann.’
    ‘But isn’t that what’s wrong with the Church today, Brendan? People are picking and choosing whenever it suits them. This Pope is trying to bring back the discipline and the obedience that others have let slip.’
    ‘This Pope needs to remember what it’s like to be a human being, Ann.’
    ‘I’m lost for words, Brendan.’
    ‘Well I know you wouldn’t expect me to talk like this but as I get closer to the exit door I find my tongue getting a little looser.’ said Brendan. ‘A little reflection