Stephen

by Amy Cross

“It is perfectly normal for a dead child to remain with its mother for several months before the burial,” he replied, as he poured two glasses of what I believe was whiskey. I was not acquainted with such drinks at the time, nor am I now. “This is a sacred and respectful tradition that is observed in houses up and down the country, among families both rich and poor. It is a part of the process by which these things are dealt with.”

“When you can help a suffering soul,” Mother Superior once told me, “it is a sin to do anything else.”

I have long suspected that those who go to the greatest lengths to appear righteous, are in fact those who have the most to hide.

“Then why did you set it down?” “Because it's the truth!” “What's that got to do with anything? Some things don't need to be told. Some things are best left forgotten.”