I rushed up to the rectory breathlessly. It had only taken me ten minutes to reach it, but it still felt like a life time. If I had one that is.
I knocked on the heavy wooden door and waited. Luckily for me I already knew what I would find. Madam Zara had already told me that Jesse wasn't here. Well, technically she'd just said he needed space to think. But I was guessing he wouldn't come here to do it.
And I was proved right a second later when Father D opened the door warily. I had that effect on people.
"Susannah? What are you doing here at this late hour?" he asked tiredly. I just walked straight on past him and into- what now was effectively –Jesse's home. Father D still had to come in to feed the cat though, seeing as Jesse had limited funds with which to buy stuff. Him being a ghost and all. I guess he could steal it. But again, not very 'Jesse'.
"What's happening for my 17th birthday?" I asked bluntly. Father D looked rather taken aback by the seriousness of my tone, but looked politely baffled just the same.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. Are you really telling me you came here at 4am to ask me what you're party plans are?" he asked with feinted curiosity.
I wasn't falling for it though. He was after all a priest, and a very responsible one at that. Which meant he wasn't very good at lying.
"You know exactly what I mean Father D. I heard my mom on the phone to you last week."
Father D looked rather affronted by my superb detective skills. Which of course meant I was one hundred percent right. He had organised something. Fear began to set in.
"Was it really that obvious?" he asked sounding annoyed. I gave him a wry smile.
"Kind of. It's just I wanted to know so I could, um, find the right outfit for the occasion."
Okay, so I was lying. I know that I shouldn't of. I mean, the guys a priest. Isn't it like some mortal sin to lie to him? It'd be just my luck to be thrown into hell cause I lied to Father D. But whatever. I guess I could take my chances.
"Susannah, I don't think it would be fair on your mother for me to share her plans for……"
"Please. I'm really worried about embarrassing her in front of everyone." A blatant lie. But one which he fell for all the same.
"Fine," he sighed resignedly, "she's asked to hire out part of the Mission for a dance. Before having a beach party in your honour."
I actually gasped. If I hadn't already known that I was going to die that day, I would have been excited. It was so like my mom to organise a perfect birthday just as it's my turn to croak. All those years when I just made do with Gina coming round for cake. Then I finally have a proper birthday planned out and…………….
"Are you quite alright?" he asked me worriedly. I must have been day dreaming, but I didn't really care. I knew what I had to do.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Listen Father D, I know that we've had our differences and stuff, but thanks. You really did save me in more ways than you know. I'm just sorry it took me this long to admit it."
He looked a bit taken aback by what I just said, but finally bowed his head modestly. When he looked up again I saw a light in his eyes I'd never seen before. Pride.
"Thank you Susannah. But I must confess that everything you have become since you arrived here was not my doing."
I looked at him incredulously, feeling confused. Plus, I knew that if I stayed here much longer the wetness in my eyes would be seriously threatening to fall down my cheeks. I guess its allergy season again.
"Of course it was you. Without your help I would be like I was before. And I promise you now, that Suze wasn't very nice. You helped me change."
He smiled at me softly.
"I never changed you. You were like that because you had to be. It was when you met Jesse that you realised who you truly were. You never changed at all. You just found happiness."
He said the bit about Jesse sombrely. But I knew what it had taken for him to admit it. He had no idea what his words meant to me. He'd just unsuspectingly told me my decision was right. Jesse was my true love. Even Father D admitted it.
I don't know what came over me, but the next thing I knew I had stepped forward and hugged him.
"Thank you." I told him softly. I was more grateful than he'd ever know.
He looked a bit uncomfortable dealing with an emotional teenager. I guess it could be due to the fact I was crying as well. When I finally pulled away I gave him a small watery smile.
Then I turned back towards the door to leave. I wouldn't tell him. I'd just let him remember me as I was. And not the bad ungrateful Suze either. At least now I'd set things straight with the old guy.
"Goodbye Susannah." He said as I stepped out of the door.
"Goodbye Father D." I whispered back.
And that was that. My final week. One week to make up for all the bad stuff I'd said. One week before I died.
