7

               "For the sake of the community, I'd be happy to participate, Father Kevin. And I'd also be

willing to let you take advantage of my, shall we say, more comfortable church."

               "That would be very generous, Father. But you don't think my parishioners will be so

impressed they'll want to stay permanently, do you?"

               Father Feinstein was caught off guard, and stared at Father Kevin cautiously. Then Father

Kevin gave him a friendly smile, and they both laughed at the joke.

               Father Kevin got up to leave. He was about to say goodbye, when Father Feinstein mused, "By

the way, Father, whatever was the answer you gave to that little girl?"

               Father Kevin stopped smiling. "Oh, that?"He squeezed his jaw together, and with a small,

staccato shake of his head, waved his hair to the side. "I just told her to start acting like a big girl. I

told her that as long as there were people digging through trash cans for dinner, and living in boxes

made for shipping little girls' dolls, the most evil thing she could do is enjoy a moment alone with a

God-damn toy."

               Father Kevin nodded and walked towards the door. "Goodbye, Father. I'll call you tomorrow

to set up the arrangements."He left the room, closing the door behind him.

               Father Feinstein sat at his desk silently. He felt a strange chill in his chest and stomach from

the words left with him. Suddenly, he was conscious of the feeling and felt somewhat relieved. He

considered it a sign of his own virtue when he encountered someone else with the ability to terrify

him.

               He leaned back in his chair and stretched his shoulders. With one sweep of his hand, he

gathered the papers lying in front of him and dropped them in the trash can. He picked up the phone,

and called the bishop to tell him the good news.
 

II

               Two and a half weeks later, the Mass of Renewal was filled to standing room only. Both

congregations were still squeezing into the back of the church as the two priests started their