CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

Anthony Melthow

ANTHONY WAS what everyone knew as a showman, since he was a child he was in the center of all the attention he could, he was a beautiful boy, he had a sweet voice and a seductive look. Despite not knowing his father, his mother raised him completely out in the world while trying to make a living, he was a free soul in every way.

For as long as he knew himself, he never knew what maternal, paternal love or any kind of family love was, he never knew his grandparents or knew anything that was related to his past, once while he was messing around on the street, a priest passed by him while swearing.

— Look at your mouth, boy!

— Fuck you, man in a skirt.

— I'm a priest of God, more respect for me, boy, didn't your mother educate you?

Caroline watched her son from afar.

That bastard is here.

— What's the matter, Father? — She shouted.

— Is this boy your son?

— Yes, what's the matter?

— The boy has no education, you have to put him in catechesis to know a little of God's love.

Caroline said:

— Is your God going to pay my bills?

— Sorry... I didn't understand what you meant.

— Take it literally, I don't speak in parables like you, then?

The priest looked at the boy who had a mischievous smile on his face.

— God bless you, boy, whenever you want to talk, you can come to the church, the doors will always be open.

— If I have something nice to eat, I will.

The priest smiled kindly.

— Who knows... you'll only find out if you show up there.

His mother came close to him and saw the priest walk away.

— What did he want?

— He offered me food.

— Stay away from these guys, got it? — I've met many men like him who were worthless.

What man do you know that's worth something? Anthony thought.

ONE DAY, COMING BACK from school, he passed in front of a church and saw the priest who had made the invitation and how he knew his mother would n't be home to make something to eat...

Not even if she was would.

Anthony said irreverently:

— The old man, do you have anything to eat?

The priest recognized the rude boy, smiled kindly and said:

— Of course, for you you always have.

The priest watched the boy devour packets and packets of crackers.

— You were hungry, huh?

— I'm always hungry.

— Your father doesn't buy you food?

— I do not have a father.

— Is your mother?

— It's like I don't have a mother either.

— Why do you say this? She seemed quite interested in you the other day.

— No, I was just waiting for my boyfriend.

— Do you even know your father?

— I never saw him.

— Are you curious to meet him?

— No... if he never called me, I try to be reciprocal, life has taught me not to care about many things, I try to be happy today, if I wake up tomorrow, I'll try to be happy again, that's how I live. If my parents don't care, I let it go and move on.

— I would like to do something to help.

Anthony got up and said:

— If you don't get in my way, you'll be helping me a lot, old man, thanks for the cookies, they were wonderful, another day I'll be back to eat more.

Anthony was about to open the door when he ran into his mother.

— Didn't I say I didn't want to see you with that old man?

— Sorry, ma'am, I...

— Shut up, old man... if I know you've been talking to my son and I'll take action against you and your church, do you hear me?

Anthony has never set foot in a church again in his life.

WHEN HE WAS COMING HOME Anthony asked:

— Why are you so angry with that man?

Caroline glared at him and said gruffly:

— Your grandfather was a priest, he abused my mother and he never came out to me. When I was born, my mother died in childbirth and I was put up for adoption, are you satisfied now?

— And what fault does the old man over there have in this story?

— He 's my father, he's got a guilty conscience about the hell he made my life and he's trying to assuage his guilt so he doesn't go to hell.

She hugged him affectionately and continued:

— When I was your age he came and told me everything — she took a deep breath before continuing — do you know what it 's like to meet someone who is responsible for everything bad that happened in your life to finally show up and ask for something impossible?

He nodded.

— This is what I call hell.

— What is hell, mother?

— It's a place where bad people like him go to pay for their sins.

Caroline firmly gripped the boy's arm, still kneeling in front of him, and said,

— You know I never asked you for anything, don't you? — Anthony nodded.

— Then do this for us, never meet that old man again, I suffered a lot in this life because of him, I don't want him to go through the same things I suffered.