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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Taladas" data-source="post: 3055362" data-attributes="member: 448">SanctuaryI couldn’t save her. That thought resurfaces over and over in my head. I got up early or rather I stopped tossing and turning and got up. Exhausted I thought a brisk walk would wake me and frankly I needed to get out. Bundled up for the cold I left my dark chambers and entered the rising dawn. The traffic was thin being Saturday and I waved to passing motorists. Most of them waved back. Making my way down the road and then a left at the second light brought me to The Mulberry Café. Just open the place was near empty only a scattered few people. “Hello Rev. Willis, what can I get for you?” Jean was one of those people that can be cheerful at the crack of dawn. “Hello Jean, just coffee for me.”“Righto.”I found a table away from anyone and in a moment she brought my coffee. “Thank you, Jean.”“The Volunteer Fair is this afternoon isn’t it? I bet you have loads to do.”“Yes, still some preparation.” “Oh I bet there is. And you, you poor thing you look exhausted. I bet you could do with some help. You know what I’ll send my son Jason over there to give you a hand.”“That’s not necessary.” “Reverend I insist. It would do you some good and him some good by keeping him away from trouble.”Then she smiled that smile that tells you the argument is over.  “Thank you, Jean.”I finished my coffee and Jean came by and refilled it. A few more idle sips and the morning crowd started to pick up. More and more people made eye contact, waved, or said “Hello” and I decided to go. The traffic was much heavier now and I avoided the road and cut across the field. Lost in my own misery I didn’t really think about where I was going. But I looked up and saw it, the gazebo. (pic # 2) It looked beautiful. And then I looked at the green grass, the fence, and the cherry blossoms. I wondered if the cold snap would kill them off but I knew what I was doing. Distracting my self from the gazebo. It was were we met, where she told me. She called me out of the blue saying that she had heard things about me, that I fixed these kinds of problems. I had decided to meet at the gazebo because it was bright and airy. Also people were in and out of the church all the time and I thought it would be more private. She came scared, gripping herself tightly. We talked for some time. The details came slow and she really didn’t want to face it. It was a possession. She lost control at night. She gave me all the details but none of that matters. What matters is that I failed her. (Pic #1) Her head bent back in an inhuman howl. Blood pouring from her mouth and eyes. That foul thing left her but it tore it’s way out. She was dead before I reached her. Horror etched on her flesh. I spent some time crying at the gazebo. “Rev. Willis, are you OK?”“What, oh, uh yes, yes I’m fine?” “Well, my mom said for me to come help you.’“Yes, thank you Jason. If you could go to the reception hall, I will meet you there in a moment.”“Righto”I saw him takeoff towards the church and I pulled myself together. I had always thought of the gazebo as a refuge from the church. A little quiet place to collect my thoughts and regain my resolve. Now that thing and my failure had robbed me of that. I walked towards the church. I found Jason and started him filling the balloons. They were red for the blood drive that was going to happen at the fair. All I could see was her blood mocking me. I thank Jason for his help and go get chairs. Soon we are unfolding tables and other people are showing up. Some of the ladies brought by lunch. I was hungrier than I thought.  I sat and watched as people busied about. When I finished eating, I got back to work. Of course more people talked to me making chitchat. I responded but I wasn’t really engaged, and I found reasons to run somewhere else. Eventually I found myself outside. I could see the gazebo out there lurking. Waiting for me, ready to remind me. “Rev. Willis, They’re looking for you inside.” “Thank you, Jason. Let’s go in.”I gave a short speech about giving to the community and serving your fellow man. I had written it yesterday. I managed to remember most of it. And I looked out and saw the people of this church who I love. Thanked them for all they had done. I went outside again. The van from the blood bank was in the parking lot. I went to give blood. A part of me felt it was defiance. This blood wouldn’t be wasted it would bring life. I exited the vehicle a little dizzy. I looked and saw children and their mothers with the balloons in front of the church. (Pic #3) Some of the balloons had come loose and were rising to the sky. I saw the balloons rise away and I felt her loss again. I looked back to the children and mothers. I realized that these people are still here. The pain of her loss is powerful but it is not more important than the other people I serve. The truth is that this church is my sanctuary. These people that I love support and sustain me. I couldn’t save her but these people give me the strength to go on and save others.</blockquote>

Verification