FATHER REYNOLDS came out of St. Mary’s Cathedral at 6:00 p.m. and walked across the courtyard to the house the church provided for him. He had been busy at the church all day, catching up on his paperwork. Coco was waiting for him in the living room of the rectory. She was sitting in the priest’s reading chair with her legs crossed.
“Welcome home, honey,” Coco said, pointing her silenced Makarov at him. Father Reynolds stood in the doorway, astonished to see someone in his private dwelling. “Close the door,” she commanded. “I don’t want the neighbors to see what I’m going to do to you.”
Reynolds closed the door.
“Lock it. I don’t want to be interrupted either,” Coco ordered.
“Young lady,” Reynolds finally said, keeping his fear under control, “though your sins are many, Christ can make you whole again.”
“Sit down, Father. I have some questions for you. I’m an honest woman. Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll let you live. Give me a hard time, and I’ll have to make you violate your vow of celibacy.”
“Mary Magdalene was also a woman who had many sins. Yet, she was forgiven. Ever read the Bible?”
“Many times. Have you?” Coco said contemptuously. “Let me ask you something that has always puzzled me, Father. Where in the Bible does it say that priests have to be celibate?”
“Is that why you came here?” he asked, avoiding the question.
“You ever had a woman, Merle?” Coco asked, spreading her legs. She was wearing a short skirt outfit and no panties underneath.
He looked between her legs. “No. I’ve never been with a woman.”
“A celibate man wouldn’t look at my crotch that way, Father. Haven’t you ever longed to be inside a woman? Don’t you want to know what it’s like to make love?”
“Every man has his cross to bear. But that’s what sacrifice is all about. I willingly gave up that part of my life to serve God.”
“Yes, but is that required of you? Even Peter had a wife. Why not take a wife and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh? God did make woman, did he not? And if so, she was made to be enjoyed, was she not? Yet you sacrifice one of the greatest gifts for nothing.”
“What’s your name, my child?”
“I am Coco Nimburu of the Nimburu clan.”
“Would you like me to hear your confession?”
“Yes, and I will hear yours. It will hurt like hell, but I swear, I’ll give you pleasure like you’ve never known before I leave.” She pointed the Makarov at him. “Let’s go to the bedroom, Merle. I think you’ll be more comfortable there.”