Andy had only seen Sharon mourning once before when her parents passed away a couple of years earlier. They were at work when she received the call from her father about her mother's death. They were in the middle of a high-profile case and even though she had tried to remain composed and focus on work that day, he caught her wiping stray tears from the corners of her eyes the moment she managed to get away from the murder room. The next day she had gone home to help her father arrange the funeral. He had called her while she was away and checked on her. They were only friends back then, and he offered his condolences and told her that he was there if there was anything she needed. She returned a week later and was back at work as if nothing had happened. Less than a month later, she had received the call about her father's death. She had walked out of the murder room in distress, and Andy allowed himself to follow her. He found her near the elevators, unsuccessfully fighting her tears. He drove her home that day and booked the flight tickets and rental car for her as she packed her luggage to go back home to arrange her father's funeral. He even drove her to the airport that evening and offered to join her. She turned his offer down but promised to call him as soon as she had a free moment. She kept her word and called him that night. He listened to her as she shared her feelings with him, and he could tell by the sound of her voice that she was crying. Having Sharon trusting him enough to let him into the depths of her soul made him feel honored. Over the next few months, she turned to him whenever she felt down and needed a friend, and he was gladly there for her. It was at that time that he had begun to think of her as more than just a friend, but it took him several months to ask her out.

Watching her deal with grief again, now as her life partner was much more difficult. He was sad about Lacey's passing. The young woman was only a few years younger than his son. However, Andy was no stranger to grief, and during the short time Lacey has spent in their household, he made sure to attend AA meetings as well as appointments with his therapist. It helped him deal with the situation better, and he felt more equipped to handle it than he thought it would be. It also helped him remain sober. He continued attending AA meetings and seeing his therapist regularly after Lacey passed away. Andy knew that Sharon sought consultation within the church, and while he appreciated Father Thomas, he felt that despite his good intentions, the trusted priest was unqualified to help Sharon cope with the aftermath of Lacey's death. That was the reason he had decided to attend a confession. Father Thomas didn't look even remotely surprised to see him, even though it was Andy's first time in his confessional booth.

"What brings you here today?" Father Thomas prompted Andy.

"Sharon," Andy replied simply. Father Thomas raised his eyebrows. "She's not doing well." He assumed Father Thomas already knew it, but decided to elaborate. "I think she's depressed."

"Sadness is a natural part of the grieving process, Andy," Father Thomas said.

"I think it's more than that. Father, I know she's been talking to you regularly for many years. You know her well."

"I do," Father Thomas confirmed.

"Sharon has been through a lot. Being married to an addict and raising her children on her own. I'm sure she told you all that," Andy said. He knew Father Thomas wouldn't be able to confirm, but he didn't need to. Sharon wouldn't hide her background from her priest. "She's a strong woman. I've seen her dealing with grief before. It was different."

"In what way?" Father Thomas wondered.

"She's not coping with it well. She's quieter than usual, she doesn't eat much, she's distracted at work, and she is tired all the time. She lost interest in everything that used to bring her joy. I know you and I are not mental health professionals, but neither of us needs to be a genius to tell that Sharon needs help," Andy felt rage storming within him. He's never had much patience for the Catholic Church.

"The church is here for her, Andy. I am here to listen to her and give her advice," Father Thomas said.

"What if the church is not enough, Father?" Andy wondered. "Father, I respect you. I know you have been helping Sharon for many years. But it's been three weeks since Lacey passed away, and I think Sharon needs more than just religious advice."

"You think Sharon should see a psychologist," Father Thomas stated. Andy nodded. "And I assume that she has refused. That's why you came to me, didn't you?"

"You're good at what you're doing, Father," Andy tried to mask his concern behind a grin.

"I can't force Sharon to do anything she doesn't want to do, Andy," Father Thomas said.

"But you can make a suggestion. She values your advice, Father."

"I have to tell you, Andy, what you are asking me to do is unusual," Father Thomas admitted.

"Look, here's a confession for you. I love this woman. I love her so much, and I can't watch her suffer this way. And Father, she is suffering. She needs more help than you can offer her, and I think the only person in the world who can make her see it is you." Andy looked at Father Thomas miserably. Father Thomas looked downwards and seemed to be considering the idea.

"I often pray for guidance from above, Andy. I ask God to direct me how to help my congregation. Sometimes guidance comes in unexpected forms. This conversion must be God's way of showing me how to help a member of my congregation. Maybe even more than one," Father Thomas said. Andy held back the urge to make a sarcastic comment about being used by God as a vessel for delivering divine messages to the priest.

"So it means you'll do it?" he asked carefully instead.

"I might want something in return," Father Thomas responded.

"Like what?" Andy narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"I want the chance to help you, too," the priest replied. Andy gave him a quick nod, accepting the deal. "Good. So why don't you tell me about everything that happened to you recently?"

"You don't waste time, do you?" Andy smirked. Father Thomas offered him an amused smiled. "Sharon and I… We lost a child," Andy said. "Lacey wasn't our daughter, but in a way, she was part of our family."

It's been a few years since Andy attended a confession, but after leaving the church, he felt somewhat relieved. He wasn't ashamed to admit to himself that the priest's compliance to suggest therapy to Sharon was the main reason for it, but expressing his feelings about Lacey and her death was also releasing. He now realized that confession addressed the issues from a different angle and that believers could receive help in reconciling their faith with their troubles. Now he could only hope that the deal he made with Father Thomas would help stir Sharon into a path of healing and give her a chance to deal with her emotions too.

-To Be Continued-

Things need to fall apart before they are put back together... I would love to hear your thoughts about this story, so feel free to leave a review or send me a PM.