Chapter 10 The Bishop

They strolled through the neighborhood, looking around. They headed down a dead end street when they heard the excited cries of children. Some of the local children were playing stickball in the street, and they joined in. Jeffrey couldn't run the bases, so his team let him hit and Bogg ran the bases for him.

When it was over, they sat on a nearby patch of grass and shared an egg cream from a shop across the street. It was a very pleasant afternoon and was starting to get dark as they walked back. Phineas smiled as he rested his hand lightly on Jeff's shoulder.

"This was fun," Jeff said as they walked.

"Yeah," Phineas agreed "and I finally got to see what an egg cream tastes like."

"They're better in New York," Jeff said emphatically.

Bogg smiled to himself, "you really hit that ball."

"Told you I was clean-up man on my Little League team," Jeff said excitedly, but then, just as suddenly he stopped talking.

"What's up?" Bogg asked.

Jeff shook his head, "nothing," he answered, thinking about how his mother had never missed a game.

As they entered the rectory, they heard men's voices. It sounded like a serious discussion.

"But this is different, Ed, the boys will be with you overnight. It could work," a new voice said.

"I'm sorry, but I'm just no good at this Bishop," Father Ed's voice could be heard. "I don't think I can make it work."

Phineas and Jeff stood uncertainly in the doorway, unnoticed by either man, "what's the new idea?" Phineas asked. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help overhearing."

Bishop Harty turned and stood up as Father Ed introduced them.

"We've just been playing stickball with the kids around here, maybe we could give you a fresh opinion about what you're doing," Bogg said.

There was silence as the Bishop sized them up. "All right, this is a proposal for a series of lock-ins." Bogg looked confused, so the Bishop continued, "a lock in is where the boys we service spend a full 24 hours, including an overnight, in the church, with Father Ed. They'll do a variety of activities that are designed to be fun and therapeutic. Once a week for a month."

Bogg nodded, "oh."

"It won't work," Jeff said without hesitation.

"Why not?" Bishop Harty asked. Jeff felt a bit uncomfortable addressing him, but continued anyway. "Look, I know these kids. I've eaten with them and played with them. And no matter what you do for them, it won't change the fact that they live with people who don't want them. As long as they go home to that at night," he paused, "nothing will change."

Father Ed paused for only half a beat, "which is why I want this new orphanage to give them a home. Adults who can help them, and teach them, one adult for every six boys, in a place where they're wanted," he paused again.

Bishop Harty sighed. "Ed, we've been through this. A home is a great idea, but an orphanage can't be a home. You need parents and a separate place to live to make a home. In an orphanage, the children can get their food and shelter, and then programs like ours can give them something more. There's no other way to do it."

"But a home can be other things beside 2 parents living together, or even one," Father Ed answered. "You've got to think of MY vision of an orphanage, not the one you're used to."

"He's got it right Bishop," Jeff interrupted. "I lived with my aunt, and had food and a warm bed to sleep in every night, but it wasn't a home. If I hadn't met Bogg, I would have run away sooner or later and I would've been living on the streets, just like the kids you want to help with this lock-in." Jeff said the words quietly, but both Phineas and Father Ed were listening intently. "And I'll tell you something else," he continued, "if I heard there was a place I could run away to, where someone wanted me? I'd go straight there." He paused again, "I'm not stupid, and neither are Tony or Rick or Joe."

Bishop Harty sighed, "we've already been over this... again and again. It's time for me to go," and with that statement, he stood up and let himself out through the front door.

Father Ed and Phineas stared at each other for a long time, until Jeffrey broke the silence.

"Excuse me, I have to go," he said suddenly.

"Sure," the priest smiled sadly. "Kids," he remarked to Phineas, "always doing something."

Phineas watched Jeff leave, a bit surprised by the abrupt exit, considering how upset Father Ed was. Still, maybe it was good for Jeff to take a break from what was happening. All this talk about orphanages must hit quite close to home.