Chapter 69.6

Vee didn’t hear from Amara until the sun had just dipped beneath the horizon. Her demonic love’s texts were predictably scattered, but Vee understood the important takeaways: Amara was overjoyed beyond words, and it was time to come pick them up. Rosie’s house was beautiful, but simply didn’t have space to house the three of them for the night.

After returning to the Calderón household, Vee’s heart swelled with happiness as she saw Amara walk outside. The door closed behind her and she giggled to herself, briefly jumping up and down with excitement as she threw her arms around Evelyn. They approached the car slowly, with Amara repeatedly thanking Evelyn over and over in between occasional glimpses back at the house. In the large bay window, the curtains parted to reveal a small girl waving frantically at Amara, who happily waved back as she opened the door to Vee’s car.

“I take it your big family reunion was a success?” Vee asked after quickly kissing Amara’s cheek. As Amara settled into her seat, Vee noted an aura similar to the ones she’d seen earlier around the happy couple. Its vivacity hinted at incredibly strong positive feelings, yet the aura itself seemed strangely muffled. She knew that Amara had trouble perceiving Vee’s aura of lust, perhaps this was a similar effect? Some kind of inherent masking present in presumed mortal enemies?

“It was AMAZING, Vee! They’re all so nice and amazing and Rosie is SO funny and we have so much in common! Sofia showed me her sticker collection and Max told me all about his school and— OH! I haven’t even told you all of their names yet! Okay, so first I met Evie, and she’s like forty years older than me but technically I’m her aunt because of all the weird stuff around my birth and—”

Vee grabbed Amara’s hand and squeezed it tightly, urging Amara to take a break and breathe. “Love, I can’t wait to hear all about your day, but first we need to figure out where I’m taking us. Should I find a hotel? See if there are any decent Airbnb’s nearby?”

“Oh, shoot, that’s right…” Amara muttered. “Um, yeah, let me pull up the app and see if I can find any cool looking places.”

From the backseat, Evelyn quietly spoke up. “Actually, about that…”

Amara turned around. “What’s up, Mom?”

“Well, I, um…” The older demon stammered for a moment, then sighed. “Sorry, I’m just so used to keeping it a secret, but that’s not really necessary anymore. I might as well show the two of you the penthouse.”

“The WHAT?!” Amara asked. “Did you say a PENTHOUSE??”

Evelyn nodded, then briefly borrowed Vee’s phone and typed in an address. After fitting her phone and starting navigation, Vee was surprised to see their destination sat in the heart of one of Chicago’s most affluent neighborhoods. With a destination set, and Amara eager to share everything amazing about her day, the three of them ventured forth into the heart of downtown Chicago.

— — —

Mother Heather Callows watched the strange blonde-haired woman leave, and her smile faded as the door closed behind the stranger. She had nothing against newcomers, but it frustrated her not knowing how to act around outsiders. Closing her eyes briefly, she told herself it hardly mattered. It was incredibly rare for children these days to be genuinely open to religion. It was more likely that Vee had simply seen a cool building and wanted to snap pictures for her Instagram, or something similarly pointless.

Releasing her breath, Mother Callows released her worries and shifted her attention back to the young Mireya Perez. They’d enjoyed a lovely conversation, and it was time to follow up on some of the things she’d learned.

She bided her time, mingling with those of the community that had kindly offered their services today. The building looked more immaculate than ever, and she appreciated that she wouldn’t be cleaning up after her last sermon completely alone. After several hours had passed, she waited for a moment in which Mireya was busy away from her parents.

“Ms. Perez?” Mother Callows asked softly, donning a practiced smile. “I was wondering if I might speak to you for a brief moment regarding your daughter.”

“What has she done this time?” Isabel said, placing the last of her pamphlets before brushing her hands on her pants.

“Perhaps we should talk somewhere a little more private. Can I offer you a cup of tea and a small snack? I’ve got some delicious coffee cake in the back room,” Mother Callows said. When Isabel nodded, the two of them left the chapel behind to retire where prying eyes could no longer spy on them.

After settling next to each other on the worn couch in the lounge, Mother Callows cleared her throat and took Isabel’s hand. “You know I would do anything for this community, right, Isabel?”

“Oh, absolutely Miss Call— Sorry. Mother Callows,” Isabel said, catching herself later than Mother Callows would have liked. “I treasure our time here! I just wish our Mireya would see the value of contributing to the church, but no, she’s always off gallivanting with her friends.”

Mother Callows smiled the same smile she always smiled. It was a gesture she’d practiced thousands of times throughout her life, and she used it well. “You’re such a doll, Isabel. Now, while I’m always hesitant to share news that’s not mine, sometimes I feel the need to speak up when it matters most. I could never forgive myself if someone made a mistake that I saw coming, but failed to act on. You understand, don’t you?”

Isabel nodded and gingerly patted Mother Callows’ hand. “I trust you, Mother Callows. I know you only have our best interests at heart.”

“It’s about Mireya, as I mentioned earlier,” Mother Callows said, her smile fading somewhat. “I’ve recently learned that she’s been… well, there’s no easy way to say this. She’s been self-medicating, I’m afraid. She has a small supply of Adderall that she borrowed from her girlfriend, and I worry about someone her age taking medicine without the knowledge of a trained doctor.”

With a quiet gasp, Isabel pulled away. “I’m sorry, did you… did you say girlfriend? Mireya—my sweet little Mireya— is gay? No, no no no, Jonathan and I have been trying to set her up with that sweet young boy down the street, and he… Oh, goodness, I can’t believe this.”

Mother Callows reached out and offered her comfort to Isabel. She had, of course, known that Mireya’s choice of romantic partners was a secret, but the rush she felt in this moment was too potent to ignore. She abhorred secrets, almost as much as she abhorred those who betrayed the trust of others, but she had a duty to this parish, to her community. “I-I’m so sorry, Isabel. I didn’t know that… Oh, I didn’t mean to spring this on you so suddenly.”

“I raised her better than this, I know I did! Ever since we lost her father, she’s been insufferable! First that blasted haircut, then those piercings, and now this?!”

The two women talked for several more minutes, with Mother Callows elaborating on what she knew while offering as much comfort as she could. It was moments like these where she felt most needed, where she knew without a doubt that she was making a difference in the lives of others. They needed her, their lives were better for having known her.

It wasn’t until many hours later that the feelings of guilt crept in. Shadows at the edge of her thoughts that whispered something different. Echoes of a better version of herself, a version that knew she shouldn’t betray the sanctity of a religious confessional. It was only when she was forced to be alone with her thoughts that she stared herself in the mirror and hesitated. Who was it, truly, that benefited from her actions? Was it the community and the parish? Or did she serve no one but herself?

Tonight, much like many other nights, Mother Callows fell asleep with tears of guilt pooling atop her pillow.