Tom had just finished a sermon for mass and was now heading to the confessional for duty there. People would linger nervously, pretending they weren't about to step into the confessional to admit to some perceived slight against God.

In truth, he didn't even think most people's worries warranted any kind of 'clearance' from him. They were minor things. Human things. Things he himself sometimes did without a second thought. And yet there he was, telling them that God would forgive them their sins and transgressions.

Priesthood had never been something he'd actively chosen. It was something his parents had wanted for him, and that meant that he wanted it too. It meant that he was bringing honor to the family name like they were in some kind of ancient Asian dynasty where such things mattered.

No, Tom Grace wasn't even sure if he believed in anything anymore. Not considering the way his life had gone, and was going to go. It was almost ironic in a twisted way, that he was living this life as a priest. He did pray, but to what he wasn't quite sure himself either.

Something or someone out there who would see him for who he was. Accept him for who he was. Someone who he wouldn't then push away because he didn't believe them.

Ahh, one could hope.