WHAT HAPPENED AT ST FRANCISCO

WHAT HAPPENED AT ST. FRANCISCO

I'd always known that Father Kenneth, the priest who was assigned to our village after missionary work because, the villagers had taken a liking to him had skeletons in his cupboard. Maybe by intuition or the fact that his oblong face reminded me of someone I so much disliked.

That fateful night, I needed to make my confession the usual, "bless me Father for I have sinned" with a penitent heart then leave as usual but, this particular day, secrets had to be uncovered.

Just that day alone, I'd committed enough atrocities. I'd stolen fish from the Mama Nkechi's pot of mouthwatering soup. I knew she would beat the living daylight out of me with her usual, "you good for nothing ogbanje..."yet I still stole. Maybe I wouldn't have started stealing if she didn't starve me unnecessarily, give her children the audacity to ride me or make me do household chores that could send an adult to seventh day Adventist hospital, the first  hospital in our village for medications.

I'd also fought with Samuel, the village bully who had a condoning twat for a mother. Little wonder he earned the nickname "Itiboribo" as he was lazy and was always coming last.

Surprisingly, in my combat with Samuel, I won. I don't know how, but the right leg in the right place and at the right time had succeeded in making me stand tall over Samuel as a VICTOR!

I was elated although something kept gnawing at my mind that Samuel's mother would almost raise down the roof of our house with her ranting. Well, her spoilt son deserved it and more. You do not go around calling orphans names because they do not have parents to fight back for them. 

I knew wherever Nnam (my father) was he'd be proud!

All these thoughts accompanied me as I rode on the bicycle I had rented for 50 naira so I'd quickly get home before Mama NK arrived from the market. On getting to the Cathedral, I alighted, kept my bicycle in a safe place then strolled in to the confession box to do my weekly.

 It seemed weird that Father was not around so I started to commune with God but, strange noises kept interfering and this made me lose focus.

Children would never cease to be children. I was so curious that I wanted to know the unknown. Approaching the inner chambers of the sacristy,  the noise soared, hence my the urge to know heightened. I peeped into the room to behold such nasty sight.

Father Kenneth was...

Who would have thought? I gasped. It seemed so strange to me. With fear gripping my innards and sweat breaking out on my forehead, I removed my slippers and ran out in haste. I didn't and couldn't stop till I got home.

 It was as if Father Kenneth's spirit pursued me home. On getting home, I drank a lot of water, then calmed down.

The man we confessed our public and private matters to, the pope who preached holiness and acted like he hated sin was even a greater sinner.

FATHER KENNETH WAS GAY!