Beautiful Sinner

by Sara Cate

“Twenty-five Hail Mary's for seeing your priest naked.” I stare at him, mouth hanging open. “Wh—what?” “Thirty if you entertained lustful thoughts.” “Oh my God!”

I am a priest, meant to serve God’s creation. And out of all of God’s creations, she is by far my favorite.

“Oh my God, Cadence. What did they do to you?” “Who?” Reaching out to stroke my hair, she says, “All the boys who somehow collectively convinced you that no one could truly love you.” My shoulders slump, and I let out a heavy exhale. “Oh. That was me. I did that.”