Righteous Obsession (11 page)

Caitlin Michaels came downstairs and walked into the
kitchen where her mother was preparing supper.  Noticing how extensive her
mother’s preparations were she said, “Gee, Mom, what’s the occasion?  You don’t
usually go this all out for a week night meal.”  Caitlin or “Cait” was
nineteen, tall, with a figure that made her male peers sit up and take notice. 
Pretty and vivacious, she had thick, glossy auburn hair cut in a short bob with
large brown eyes framed by thick, dark lashes, high cheekbones and a dazzling
smile.  Caitlin had recently received an offer from a well-known New York
modeling agency.

Kathleen Michaels looked up from the trout she was
stuffing with a crab meat filling.  “Well, this is a special occasion.  You’ve
just finished your first year of college and Dave will have some news for us
when he gets here.”  She was forty-four and pretty in a faded sort of way, like
a photograph that had once been sharp and clear, but had become blurred and
indistinct.  Her once golden hair had faded to drab and showed much gray.  Her
eyes, though still a vivid blue, rarely showed any spark that would cause
people to notice her.  Her smile, while always pleasant, sometimes appeared disconnected
as if she did it out of habit and it had no connection to the way she really
felt.

“I haven’t gotten my grades yet so I don’t know if
there’s going to be anything to celebrate,” Caitlin warned.

“I’m sure you did fine,” Kathleen replied absently
then her face suddenly lit up and she recalled, “I remember how worried Dave
was after his first year at the Seminary, but he did brilliantly!”

“I’m sure of one thing!”  Caitlin joked.  “I worked my
tail off!”  She glanced at the clock and asked, “Can I help you with anything,
Mom?”

“Yes, would you frost the cake for me?”

“Sure.”  She took a sniff of the cake.  “Umm!  Sour
cream chocolate cake!”  She picked up the bowl of frosting her mother had
already prepared and started to frost the cake.  “Did Dave give you any idea
what his news is?”

“All he said is that Bishop Houlihan wanted to see
him.  I do hope he isn’t being transferred.”

“This is the time of year when they usually do it, but
Dave’s only been in Brunsville a short time and they usually get to stay at
least three years.  Besides, I don’t think the Bishop calls them in to give
them the news.”

“I suppose they could need a priest urgently somewhere
else and with Dave’s outstanding record at the Seminary I would think he’d be
their first choice.”

Their conversation came to an abrupt halt when they
heard a car pull into the garage then heard the door between the garage and the
family room open and Caitlin’s father call, “Anybody home?”

“Out here, Daddy,” Caitlin answered.

Jeffrey Michaels appeared in the kitchen doorway.  He
was forty-seven, over six feet in height and big-boned.  He worked out
regularly and was in great shape.  It was obvious that Caitlin had inherited
her looks from her father.  He had the same thick auburn hair, now showing some
silver, large, thick-lashed brown eyes that showed a few lines around them and
a magnetic smile that could charm the most obstinate person.

“Hi, Daddy!”  Caitlin said, giving him a hug.  She was
secretly proud that she had such a good-looking father.  Her girlfriends had
crushes on him and thought he was a ‘major babe’.

“Hi, Cait!”  He said, returning her hug.  He gave his
wife a hug and kissed her cheek.

“Hello, Kate.”

“You’re wet.  Is it raining?”

“Yes, it started just as I came out of work.”

Kathleen went over to the window.  “Oh dear!  It’s
pouring!  I do hope Dave has his umbrella with him.”

“I’m sure he does, Kate.  They’ve been forecasting
rain for this afternoon all day.”  He threw the light weight topcoat he’d been
wearing over his shoulder and picked up his briefcase.  “I’m going to take a
shower and change.”

“You have time.  Supper won’t be ready for a while
yet,” Kathleen replied.

Caitlin was setting the dining room table when she
heard the front door open then close again and heard her brother call from the
foyer, “Mother?”  She put the plates down and walked into the living room.

Father Michaels was standing in the foyer.  His hair
looked plastered to his head and water was dripping from his suite coat,
forming puddles around his feet.

“I’ll get some towels,” Caitlin said.  As she turned
to go she bumped into her mother who was just coming to find out where she’d
gone.  “I’m getting Dave some towels,” She said, hurrying out of the room.

“Dave, you’re soaked!”

“I’m sorry about this mess, Mother,” Father Michaels
apologized.  “I was so nervous about the prospect of seeing His Grace, Bishop
Houlihan that I forgot my raincoat and my umbrella.  I wasn’t able to find a
parking spot close to the Chancery either.  It was only sprinkling when I went
in, but it was a downpour by the time I came out!”

“What did the Bishop say?”  Caitlin asked as she
returned with the towels and gave them to her brother who attempted, with
little success, to dry off.

“Caitlin, Dave can tell us his news at supper but
right now he needs to go upstairs and get out of those wet clothes before he
catches a good cold.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea, Mother.”

“Bring your wet clothing back down with you and I’ll
take them to the dry cleaner first thing tomorrow.”

Father Michaels nodded.  As he started up the stairs,
his father was coming down and they met halfway.  Jeff’s face lit up when he
saw his son.  “Dave!”  He gave Father Michaels a hug.  His dress was casual,
jeans and a San Francisco 49ers’ sweatshirt Caitlin had given him for his
birthday.

Father Michaels stiffened then stepped back from his
father and nodded.  “Father.”

Jeff pretended not to notice how the temperature
suddenly dropped several degrees and said cheerfully, “We’re so glad you could
come home this weekend.  It’s seems as if we’ve hardly seen you lately.”

“I’ve been very busy.  Teaching school isn’t an easy
job.”

“No, of course it isn’t,” Jeff replied, puzzled by
Dave’s curt reply.

“Jeff, let Dave go upstairs and change.  He can tell
us everything he’s been doing over supper.  Caitlin, I need your help, please.”

When Father Michaels came into the dining room for
supper he wore a black suit and his Roman collar.  He could have worn casual
clothes, but he knew it gave his mother great pleasure to see him in his
clerical garb.

“Don’t they ever let you guys wear normal clothes,
Dave?”  Caitlin teased him as he sat down at the table.

“Caitlin, people expect Dave to maintain a certain
decorum.  He can’t appear sloppily dressed like so many young men do now.” 
Kathleen turned to him.  “Dave, would you please say the blessing.”

“Certainly, Mother.”  Father Michaels bowed his head
and recited the grace before meals.

The moment he finished Caitlin exclaimed, “Now tell us
what your news is, Dave!”

He smiled broadly and his eyes shone.  “It’s the answer
to my prayers!  His Grace, Bishop Houlihan, has recommended me to the Papal
Nuncio to study Canon Law in Rome due to my outstanding academic record at the
seminary and my work since my ordination.”

“Dave, that’s wonderful!” Kathleen cried, giving him a
hug.  “We’re so proud of you!”

“Congratulations, Dave!”  Caitlin said.

“Yes, congratulations are definitely called for!” 
Jeff proclaimed.  He looked around the table, beaming.  “I think this a toast
is in order.”  He went into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of champagne
and four glasses.  “I’ve been saving this champagne for a special occasion and
this certainly qualifies.”  He opened the bottle with a loud pop, poured some
into each of the glasses and handed them round.  He raised his glass.  “I propose
a toast to Dave.  I predict he will advance very high and very fast through the
hierarchy of the Catholic Church.  I propose another toast to Cait who’s
undoubtedly finished her first year of college with straight A’s!”

“Daddy!”  Caitlin laughed.

They clicked their glasses together then took a sip
then started to eat with obvious relish. 

“Mom, this is so good,” Caitlin declared.

“How long will you be in Rome, Dave?”  Kathleen asked.

“At least a year, possibly two.”

Kathleen’s face fell.  Jeff noticed it and said in a
comforting tone, “We can certainly afford a trip to Rome to visit Dave, Kate.”

“Will you be leaving when school’s out?”  Caitlin
asked.

“No, not until August.”

“How is school going, Dave?”  Jeff asked.  “Do you
think you might want to teach again sometime in the future?”

“It’s not up to me.  I’ll do whatever God wants me to
do, but I have enjoyed teaching because it’s very challenging.  Teaching
twelfth grade has been especially challenging.  Most of the students have been
accepted by the colleges of their choice. They have a short attention span and
they’re not interested in doing any serious studying.  They’re just marking
time until graduation.  My eleventh graders though, are a first-rate group! 
They’re so bright and inquisitive I really have to stay on my toes to keep
ahead of them!”  There was more than just a trace of pride in Father Michaels's
voice.  “We had a panel discussion on the pros and cons of heavy metal music in
class today and their observations astounded me!  Incidentally,” He turned to
his mother.  “Mrs. Simpson is so pleased that Purity in Programming is going to
help Family Moral Values with their picket at the Target Center next month.”

“As I told Theresa, it makes sense for our groups to
work together on this since we both want a moral and decent atmosphere for our
children and grandchildren to grow up in.”

“Are you talking about picketing the Unforgiven
concert?” Caitlin interrupted.

“Yes,” Kathleen nodded.  “At our last two meetings
we’ve discussed ways in which we might discourage the area arenas and
auditoriums from booking these horrible anti-Christ groups.  Thanks to Theresa,
we now have a way to show these people we mean business!”

“Aren’t you and Jemma going to the Unforgiven
concert?”  Jeff asked Caitlin.

“I’m still going, but Jemma bombed out when her
boyfriend started whining.  I guess he can’t stand the thought of her drooling
over Colin Matthews!”  Caitlin laughed then frowned suddenly.  “I stood in line
for two hours yesterday to get those tickets – they were sold out by noon! 
Now, I’m stuck with an extra ticket.”

“Can’t you sell it?”  Jeff asked.

“No.  People don’t usually want to buy just one
ticket, Daddy.”  Caitlin sighed.  “Jemma’s the only one of my friends who likes
hard rock.  It’s not as much fun going alone, but I’m still going.”

Jeff cleared his throat and said hesitantly, “Well, if
you wouldn’t be too embarrassed to be seen with your old man, I’ll go with
you.”

Caitlin jumped up and gave him a hug.  “Daddy, that’s
so nice of you!  Just wait, we’re going to have a blast!”

“No!  I forbid this!”  Father Michaels exclaimed.  He
looked at his younger sister earnestly.  “Caitlin, you’re putting yourself in
danger of committing a mortal sin!”  He looked at his father contemptuously and
said, “You shouldn’t be encouraging her to expose herself to an occasion of
mortal sin!”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little paranoid,
Dave?”  Jeff asked.  “It isn’t as if Cait’s going to a meeting of devil
worshippers.”

“I am not being paranoid!  My duty is not only the
salvation of souls, but the prevention of that soul from an occasion of any
sin, especially mortal sin,” He answered, his tone frosty.  “There’s no doubt
in my mind that attending this concert is a mortal sin!”

“Dave’s right!”  Kathleen agreed.  “With all that
sexual innuendo and open depravity what else could it be?”

“Come on, Dave, Mom, lighten up!”  Caitlin urged. 
“Going to this concert isn’t a sin and even if it were, that’s the purpose of
you guys in black.  Without sinners you’d be out of business,” She joked,
attempting to ease the tension she sensed.

“I’m sorry you think my concern for your moral welfare
is such a big joke, Caitlin,” Father Michaels replied in an injured tone.

Kathleen looked at her husband.  “I hope you were
kidding about going to that concert, Jeff.”

“No, Kate.  I don’t believe it’s fair to condemn
something without knowing anything about it.”

“Some things you don’t have to know anything about to
know they’re evil!”  She snapped.  “Unforgiven – even their name sounds evil!”

“Caitlin is going to this concert no matter what. 
Since you both think it’s going to have a negative influence on her; I’m sure
you don’t want her going alone,” Jeff said reasonably.

Kathleen ignored her husband and turned to her son. 
“Dave, I’ve talked to our pastor about this picket and I’ve asked him to
encourage the parishioners to come out for it.  I’d like to have a really big
turn-out – so big that Unforgiven will turn tail and leave when they see us! 
You’re such a dynamic speaker and I know that if you encouraged them, many more
will come out for it!”