Chapter Eight: The word of the Church
As I record incidents relayed to me by the villagers in the church, Father Samuell comes to me, and says a grave is being buried at the present moment for Mr. Fawcett, next to Mr. Brinner, and that if I had taken all I needed from the body it could be buried at sundown, with my permission. I gave it, and told everyone of the funeral details. Friends were allowed into the undertakers to pay their last respects. As the church began to clear of people, I was left thinking, when Father Samuell sat next to me.
"It is terrible, to think that one of God's people could have done this to another," he says, and I agree. "It makes everyone think about death a little more, do you not think?" Again, I agree. "And how God brings life, and how He brings it to a close. I do feel sorry for Miss Archer in a way."
"Miss Archer?" I ask.
"Yes, has she not told you? She wants a burial for her mother. Although under somewhat suspicious circumstances. She told me, and Mr. Brinner I believe, that her mother has already been buried."
"Already buried?" I ask, thinking this queer.
"Yes, apparently her mother was buried without Miss Archer's permission in unhallowed ground, and she wants the body to be unearthed and buried with her permission in a church yard or cemetery. But I can not allow this. The church would highly disprove of exhuming a body for reburial, and I hope she understands this."
"I am sure she does," I reply, thinking it odd that Claire would want her mother buried twice. Although, I suppose I would, indeed, want similar actions to take place, should the deceased be my own mother, or any one of my closer relatives. I feel sorry for her, she must be distraught that the church does not allow such an act. I thank the Father for the information he has given me and hurry home to comfort her.
"Claire," I call as I enter the house later that day. She comes to me, she had obviously been cleaning as her attire shows. I invite her into the drawing room where we sit. "You did not tell me that Father Samuell had refused to bury your mother." She pauses for a moment.
"I did not want to bother you with such things at such a time," she replies. "You do have more than enough to be contending with at the present moment, do you not?" I smile.
"Indeed I do," I put my arms around her, comforting her. "But you must be distressed that the church will not allow such things, I am sorry I have not been here to comfort you." She puts her arm up to mine.
"That is alright, Ichabod. I am learning and coming to deal with the situation, nothing can be done." She rests her head against my shoulder. She is so close. I feel a desire within me to reach down and kiss her again, but I remember the situation previously and try to contain myself. I can not see her face, but I can tell that she is beginning to cry, and I stroke her hair, comfortingly.
"Ichabod," she says through sobs. "Before, when we kissed, did you feel nothing?" How do I reply to this? I must tell her the truth.
"No, I did not feel nothing." She breaks from my hold and looks up at me, her eyes blinking back tears, a little raw. I look back, and I can see she does feel the same, she slowly leans up towards me, and I down to her, and our lips meet. She lifts a hand and places it on the back of my neck, and I slowly bring my hands down to her waist.
We are lying on the chair in the drawing room, Claire's head is resting upon my chest, and rising and falling with my breath.
"Ichabod. Will you help me bury my mother?" she asks. I do not know what to say. She knows it is not possible, yet she still asks. And I feel ripped at having to break her heart and say no. But there is no way the church will allow such a thing, and that is the only way it is to be done.
"Claire," I begin, trying to think of what to say. "The church has refused, and I have no power over the church. I know it seems harsh, but Father Samuell was the only person who could have said he would. If he has declined, then it can not be done, although I would assist you in very way I could, were it possible." She makes no sound. I know she is upset that I have said no, but what further can I say? In this case, the word of the church is final, and the answer is negative.