Liam O’Keeffe walked the streets in his full uniform. He’d been easing Alexandra into it, by wearing clothes that had that black and white vibe, but sans his clerical collar. Now he wore his clerical collar for perhans the tenth time since he arrived in Alexandra. Anyone who was aware of his movements would understand that it meant that he was on his way to or from visiting someone who was Catholic. Today, thanks to Sasha Beaulieu, that someone was his parent’s, Felix and Amelie Beaulieu.
As he turned and walked along 3rd street, he turned his head and looked on the porch of the first house he passed. He’d heard plenty about Ursula Norris, but had not yet visited her. She was not Catholic, but was apparently religious. But here’s was a more … fundamental sect than he preferred. He kept on his path.
The brown house just before the school was his destination. He’d asked Sasha to make sure that his siblings were not at home when he visited. Liam did plan to meet the whole family, but first … he wanted to meet the parents. He walked up the steps and rang the doorbell.
Felix Beaulieu was making coffee when the doorbell rang. He’d hoped to spend this morning with his wife, as the kids had all cleared out early. Alone moments were rare when you had four active children. But apparently, that was not meant to be. He went to the door and peered out, his brows lifting on his head. A priest. A Catholic priest. At his doorstep. Sasha had mentioned there was one that he’d invited over, but he’d thought it would be … some other time .. any other time .. like when he wasn’t even home, maybe. But today as Father’s Day for fucks sake!
“Ame….” he called, even as he opened the door. “We have a visitor.” he lowered his voice. “Good morning, Father…” he knew he sounded nervous, but he was.
Liam smiles at the man. “Good morning. Felix, is it? I am Father Liam O’Keeffe.” he went into his jacket and pulled out a business card, handing two to the man. On it were his credentials; Father Liam P. O’Keeffe S.J MTh along with his phone number. The card was simple and mostly unadorned.
Amelie had been upstairs doing a quick round of laundry organizing for the family, switching out clean put away stuff for the dirty into hampers. She could smell the coffee brewing and was so grateful to her husband for making it. There were two baking pans of croissants in the oven, this round were chocolate filled. She was just coming down the stairs with a basket of laundry to throw in the washer when she heard Felix calling her about someone at the door. She’s wearing old grey jeans and colourful woolen slippers with an aqua coloured flowered button up short sleeved shirt over a yellow tank top. Her dirty blonde hair is greying a bit where it touches the scalp and she has it swept up in a messy bun. Her eyes are brown like all the children’s, a sort of lighter brown as far as eyes go. She’s an average height and weight, not overly fit but not completely out of shape either. Life with her family keeps her busy and on the move. She joins Felix at the door and her face breaks into a delighted grin when she sees a priest in full robes. Felix is holding a business card.
“Good morning Father.” She greets warmly “Sasha told us about you. Will you come in? We have coffee and croissants will be ready soon.” She grins at Felix and then steps back to allow the very tall redheaded priest to enter.
Liam smiles at both of them and steps in. “Coffee and croissants sound wonderful. Thank you.” he glances casually around the relatively neat home as he slips out of his shoes. “I was hoping Sasha wouldn’t waste any time telling you about me. He’s young … you know how that can go.” he chuckles, although technically he is young himself.
Felix doesn’t glare. His manners are well in place. “Well, come into the dining room. I’ll start pouring coffee.” Moving to the kitchen, he gets the individual packets of sugar and simple creamer, setting them on the dining room table before he heads back to the kitchen to get three coffee cups and starts filling them.
The stove timer goes off and Amelie heads for the kitchen as Felix welcomes their guest. She gives Felix a little kiss on the cheek when they crossover in the kitchen. She knows this is more her comfort zone than his but loves that he’s still so welcoming. She sets the croissants to cool on the stovetop and slips off the oven mitts, offering to carry one of the coffee cups “May I assist you mon amour?” And whichever way his answer goes she’ll move to the dining room either carrying a cup or walking with him. “Father I did not get to hear your name? Sasha just called you Father Liam. It sounded like quite the fun diner the kids had after their adventure in Vancouver…..and our little earthquake.”
Felix smiles and nods at his wife. “Thank you.” he gives up one of the cups and moves to the table with two more. One for him and one for Amelie. He sits and winces. “Oh yea, he gave his ards. Sorry.” and he hands one to her.
Liam watches the couple. They seem quite stable, which is always a good thing. Felix seems less enthusiastic, which also makes sense. His own father wasn’t all that on board with the whole Catholic thing. “I’m Father Liam O’Keeffe. Jesuit priest.” he chuckles. “Yes, I met him while accompanying his grandmother to the ferry to meet them and she invited the whole bunch of us to eat. Irish fare, since she is Irish Catholic.” he begins to add sugar and creamer to his coffee. “Have you met Seamus Reinhardt yet? He and Sasha seem quite close.” he’ll start with the kids. Always a good route with more domestic women. “And I do believe Sasha has siblings?”
Amelie takes a card and looks at it. Her nails are cut short and unpolished because of her work and she is unadorned jewelry wise except for her simple silver wedding band. Around her neck she has a small silver chain with a plain small pewter cross. “This is a nice card,,,simple.” She looks curious now “The Reinhardts must be close if his grandmother meets him at the ferry after a day out on the mainland? And the family is Catholic? Yes we have met Seamus. He’s very charming and it’s so nice to see Sasha making friends. He got a girlfriend a little faster than I expected…” She redirects to the siblings “Oh yes, we have 4 children. Sasha is 17. Genevieve is 15, Rene is 13 and Catherine is 11. I do believe some of them may be out looking for frogs. Rene is obsessed….it’s a thing from St. Pierre where we came from.” She stirs some creamer into her coffee and smiles at Felix. And then she holds up a finger and jumps up “The croissants!” She comes back in not time with a plate of 5 of them in case people wish for seconds and a little stack of napkins. “These have chocolate inside.” She offers to Father Liam first as he’s their guest.
Felix nods, but mostly let's his wife talk while he tries to figure out this priest that is in his house. He suppresses his sigh about Sasha’s girlfriend. He liked her.
Liam listens to Amelie. “Yes, the family is Catholic.” he explains and it is true. He nods. “Paige. Yes, I met her yesterday as well. Very nice girl from a good family, from what I understand.” he arches his brows. “A good mix. Boys and girls. I only have brothers.” he watches her jump up and get the croissants. One they are in front of him, he politely takes one and a napkin. “Merci.”
Amelie looks pleased that the family was Catholic. She knew the world was secular so it was like icing when she found a few, especially here where she wasn’t surrounded by her home town’s traditions. But when they were young and in love, Felix had moved for her so she willingly took on this adventure and was happy to give her children the new opportunities. When the priest talks about Paige she gives a little nod “She is kind and polite.” She didn’t dislike the girl just felt wary of the pace. She also takes a croissant after placing them on the table between she and Felix “Ah most welcome. How many brothers?” She asks with casual interest as she takes her first bite.
Felix hears the priests reply and nods his agreement. He arches his brow a bit at his wife’s ‘kind and polite’ statement. It sounded a little … dry to him. He looks curiously at the priest, forgetting they had families.
Liam lets the croissant cool a bit more, but sips his coffee. “Nine.” he answers after he swallows. “My father wanted a dozen sons, but my mother stopped at ten.”
Amelie tunes into the difference in numbers. “You lost a brother somewhere in your life? I don’t mean to pry but I did as well, in childhood. Sasha is named after him actually...if it’s too painful you don’t need to tell us. They are with God.”
Fellix looks curious as well, sipping his coffee and then pulling at his croissant.
Liam inhales and bonds. “I meant that I have nine brothers … I’m the oldest of my mother’s 10 sons.” he pauses. “But I have lost brothers. Two of them.” he pauses. “No doubt your brother and Shane are.” he picks a bit at his croissant. “I’m afraid my brother Michael was not destined to walk with God.” clearly this Michael was a sinner of some flavor.
Amelie looks gravely at him and nods. “I am sorry for your losses…..that sounds unimaginably painful….especially about Michael.” She sips at her coffee “Are your parents still around?”
Felix looks at Liam with more interest. A humongous family and two dead brothers? He actually starts paying a little more attention.
Liam nos. “Thank you. Shane was very painful. He was the youngest of us all. Mihael.” he blows out a breath. His personal story often made him more human to his parishioners. A mixed blessing at times. “Michael and Shane hated each other. Mighael was a lawyer .. Shane turned into a criminal. One night … Shane had enough and went to Michael’s place .. shot him … and then turned the gun on himself.” he shakes his hed. “They died some time ago. My father was a police officer .. as are seven of my brothers. He was killed in the line of duty and my mother … overdosed about three weeks later.” he purses his lips. “She was Catholic … and you know the Church’s stand on suicide.” he rips at his croissant. “But I do like to think they are all ith God.” actually he’s pretty sure his father and Michael are anywhere but. “But the experience has changed me … that and two gay brothers. God works in mysterious ways, perhaps. I am not your stereotypical priest.”
Amelie eats her own croissant and listens intently. She gasps at the brothers and the murder suicide. Then her hand flies to her mouth while she’s still chewing about the parents. She sets her croissant down on the napkin. “I agree that the church is wrong about suicide. Mental health is complicated….they are with god.” She does look taken aback at the two gay brothers “Two.” She’s not repulsed, just a little surprised. “Our son had a gay best freind for many years. He’s alive and well….I think that helped me as of course my parents and our church…..but I already knew and loved Marc since he grew up half in our house. It’s complicated isn’t it.”
Felix listened with increasingly raised eyebrows. This priest couldn’t have been more than forty and probably younger, yet so much … he blinks hard at the mention this man has to gay brothers. “Were you … were your parents … alright with that. The gays in your family.” he sounds ununderstanding, he realies. “I mean, Marc was an incredible kid, but not everyone could accept him. They had to move away, in fact. And it was Marc on Sasha’s life that made Felix share a secret with his son that not even his wife knew. But she had secret of her own, he knew.
Liam swallows. “The church is sometimes very set in its ways.” he nos. “Yes, and they are both policemen. And quite closeted. They’ve told me I can tell people I have gay brothers as long as I don’t identify them … and I respect and understand that.” he offers a small smile to Alelie. “Complicated for the church and perhaps some Catholics, but the closer to home it hits, the simpler it becomes, I think.” he looks at Felix. “I was fine with it. I do not pry into my brother's bedrooms.” he sips his coffee. “My parent’s on the other hand … “ he sets the cup down. “My mother would have disowned them and my father surely would have tried to kill them.” he speaks succinctly. He blows out a breath. “But that is more than enough about me. Please. Tell me more about yourselves. How long have you been married? How are you liking Alexandra? Is there anything I can do for you as a priest who lives on the island?” he makes it sound like there’s more than just him .. but it’s just him.
Amelie took it all in with many expressions. “I don’t understand how any parent could do that...I can’t imagine. I mean maybe if your child god forbid becomes a serial killer...but even then...I think it would just be heartbreak and self blame.” She sighs and smiles looking at Felix “19 years on April 1st….our forever April fools. So far the people here are very friendly….but their teeth. My goodness some of these folks haven’t had a cleaning in YEARS!!!” She looks just stunned by it and then jokes “Hand out floss?”
Felix looks sidelong at his wife quickly and then away. His eye accidentally fall on Liams and then looks down, ripping at and eating more of his croissant. He laughs at their wedding date, as its always amused him, and then he shrugs about the dental hygiene on Alexandra. Some places have worse than others.” he replies. “There is an ophthalmologist above us who is also doing a booming business. Great guy.”
Liam’s eyes connect with Felix’s and in that moment he knows. But he lets Alelie speak and doesn’t reply, letting the subject die. He laughs at their anniversary date. “I like that. And yes. People are good here. And if it helps, I had my last cleaning about six months ago.”
Amelie laughs a bit, not catching the look between them as she was finishing up her croissant. Then she says “We have made a good choice moving here. The kids seem happy. The practice is needed where it was a fierce competition in Manitoba. We are here for a reason.”
Felix nods his agreement with his wife. “It is a nice place with good people. A little odd, I guess. That earthquake yesterday for example. It felt like barely controlled panic.” he shrugs and finishes his croissant. “But overall a nice place. Maybe we’ll even takeup gardening. Ame, you’ve noticed how everyone seems to have one?”
Liam smiles. “Well, it takes all kinds, and if your kids are happy, then that’s one of the priorities, isn’t it?” he looks between them. “Are you church goers?”
“Yes I’m wondering if it’s too late in the season to plant...maybe bedding plants?” She shrugs and smiles at Felix “That was a lot of fuss over a little quake. I thought Mr. Wong was going to have a heart attack while I scraped him….” Amelie nods vigorously “Every Sunday but virtually now.” She steals a look at Felix “I am...anyway.” She bites her lip a bit.
Felix shrugs. “You’ll have to do some research. Imagine fresh vegetables. More salads for the kids. And me…” he admits to his own selfish reasoning. He catches the look. “Amelie goes regularly. The kids and I tend to stick to high, holy holidays. Do you have a church here?” he asks. “And is it virtual?”
Liam smiles at both of them. “My church is in Vancouver, but it remains virtual, and I like it here, so I may well stay. There are people here that cannot … or won't .. take the ferry to the mainland, so I’ve been visiting people in their homes or out and about for things like confession or just visiting.” he motions to them. “I sort of like this wway. If you were in my church listening to my sermon, I may or may not be speaking to something that truly touches you. This way everything is more personal.”
Amelie smiles at Felix about the vegetables “It would be good for all of us to eat more greens.” She looks curious about the casual approach to Father Liam’s more personal ministry and then tilts her head “You say there are people who cannot or won’t take the ferry? Do you mean invalids? Hospital patients and the like? Because I know I’ve noticed they have very good accessibility for all kinds of mobility or disability concerns.”
Felix continues to sip his coffee, considering the priests words.
Liam shrugs slightly. “Not necessarily physical limitations. I know one older woman afraid that if she leaves the island, she won’t be able to return to it. She’s missed the Church, so I bring it to her and she seems comforted by it. Some people are just more comfortable staying where they are. For a few here, that means Alexandra.”
Amelie nods slowly “I understand that. I used to be that way about St. Pierre Jolys. I was a homebody...it was my safe space….” Years ago there were a lot of reasons for that but Amelie had done a lot of healing since then. “I mean they have what they need here. I can see the young people wanting to explore more though, expand their knowledge as it were. It’s a hard balance because they can expand too fast and put themselves at risk.”
Felix reaches over and pats his wife’s hand, squeezing it. “This is a beautiful place and it feels very safe to me.
Liam nods. “They have even more now, with you and Dr Page in town.” he agrees, but also tilts his head. “Expand too fast? How so, if I may ask.”
Amelie squeezes Felix’s hand back and gives him a grateful look and then nods about their practice and the eye doctor “Just a mother’s paranoia about her children...they’re at that age…..two of them at least. The hormones go faster than the logic.” She sighs “They’re out all the time and we don’t know...right? The instant and what looks like a fast and furious relationship….I don’t know.”
Felix moves his hand and picks up his coffee. He opts not to say anything, at least right now.
Liam offers a slight smile. “Your son and your daughter.” he looks at Amelie. “I don’t know if your daughter is in a relationship. We haven’t met, but I have met Paige. Is there something about her that makes you worry? Or is it the usual worries about sex and drugs and the like. She doesn’t dress inappropriately, at least not that I have seen.”
Amelie sighs “I don’t think Genevieve is dating anyone. She hasn’t mentioned anyone. Sometimes I feel like they don’t tell me things...I worry. Maybe they don’t tell me things because I worry and they know. I am not worried about her clothing….she appeared very modestly dressed. He’s 17...and so far we haven’t had any surprises….I don’t think he does drugs so yes it is sex that worries me. So many factors. And you can’t stop them….you just have to pray.”
Felix finishes his coffee and looks into the cup. “I’d trust him before I prayed, Ame.” he speaks softly, but audibly. “Times have …” but he cuts himself off.
Liam looks between them. “Perhaps a little of both? Trust and prayer that Sasha will do the right thing. He glances at Felix, but doesn’t press.
Amelie looks between them “It’s the evasion…..by the way I have a girlfriend pass the beans….that was his announcement! I don’t want to know details. But I do want to know that he’s safe. I know he knows...I do. Years ago he had a steady girlfriend. I knew they were having sex but he never told me. I think he thinks I don’t know. I mean the last girl...she bathed in patchouli and it was all through our car. It’s ludicrous. I don’t know..I know i’m talking too much. Maybe you might have better luck with him Felix…” She sighs at Father Liam now.
Felix kne exactly how far his sons relationship with Paige had progresses, but he wasn’t going to tell his wife, because it was not this place, he believed. He had encouraged his son to bring Paige over more while they were home, but so far, he had not. But he does clear his throat. “Sex and patchouli smell nothing alike, Amelie.” he murmurs.
Liam winces slightly at the way Amelie found out her son had a girlfriend and understands her fears. He listens and then looks at Felix when he speaks. “Amelie … did you find condoms in the car, or anything?” he asks, carefully. He knew that the church still often stood by no sex before marriege. He’d find out soon enough where Alelie Beaulieu stood on the subject.
Amelie looks mildly annoyed at Felix’s comment but covers it with a small smile and then shakes her head “No. If they did that there then they either didn’t use them or they cleaned them up. So I stressed for a year about pregnancy and disease. I realize this is just my rantings….perhaps I should be confessing my own insecurities as a mother….I know they know….” She feels reprimanded by her husband and like the priest thinks she’s paranoid now. She sips her coffee and looks out the window.
Felix sighs softly. “I’m just saying that, for all the proof, Sasha could still be a virgin.” he sounds mildly defensive, but it's hard to tell if it is Sasha or himself he is defending.
Liam keeps his face as neutral as he can. “Alelia, where o you stand on the subject of pre-marital sex?” he asks her, softly.
Amelie looks curiously at Felix. Did he really not suspect? And then sighs “I know what the church says. I also know...what is it to be young and in love.” Now she does look at Felix again “So I’m not unrealistic. But I would like them to at least have the love part….I feel like too many young people...it’s all over the movies and TV and media...this hook up culture. It honestly makes me tell the children to wait until marriage just to try and tone that idea down for them to at least with someone you love. Does that make sense?”
Felix nods. He wants that for his children as well, and he knows some of his wife’s scars. “Have you, Ame?” he whispers. “Told the kids to wait until they are married?” he bites his lip and looks at Liam, almost defiantly. “We didn’t. But I love her … I did then and I do now, but we didn’t wait until we were married.”
Liam nods. “It’s a very scary world out there, I know. Sex and the pressures ot have sex are everyhere. I think it makes perfect sense to want your children to have love along with the sex.” he looks at Felix and gives him a genuine smile.
Amelie folds her arms now and admits it “I have...maybe not my best parenting choice but if they won’t tell me then I just back myself into a corner and become my mother…” She sighs and then smiles at him “We had love...we have love. I want that for all of ours. I’m not scared our children will make the wrong choices on purpose...I’m scared of the world.” She nods connecting to Father Liam “Exactly that.”
Felix sighs deeply, and pinches the bridge of his nose. But he takes his wife’s hand and kisses it.
Liam nods slowly. “It’s a hard balance.” he tells her, killing his coffee. “Of the ten of us only one of my brothers has kids .. we’ve never met them. And he’s divorced. But another brother met and married his wife within six weeks and they’re doing fine. I think they’ll last.”
Amelie knows her mistake with her children but she said the words. She sees Felix’s look and then he kisses her hand and she isn’t sure if she feels better or worse for him being nice about it. She listens to father Liam. “I guess it can go all ways….again trust and pray right?”
Felix quizzes her hand, and kisses it again.
Liam nods and chuckles. “It really is that simple sometimes, yes.” He sat back. “Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
Amelie laughs a little and it ends in a sigh “ No. I know what work I need to do with God and on myself. Felix is very patient with me. And you've been a very patient counsel as well. We’ll stay in touch?” She offers and looks to Felix for input.
Felix nods and tales her hand again. “Thank you, Father. And we ill stay in touch.” or more likely Amelie will. He stands. The visit is over and he knows Amelie may need a talk, or just to be held when it's just the two of them, before the kids come back home.
Liam smiles. “You’ll be fine.” and he pauses, as if the words had resonated with him, but then he stands with Felix. “My phone number is on my card. Day or night, if you need me.” and he heads to the door to leave them.
“Thank you Father Liam.” Amelie replies before closing the door. Then she walks back to Felix “Sometimes I feel like I’m a terrible mother.” She tearfully admits “ I panic and say things that I know push our children away....” she sinks right into his lap.
Felix wraps his arms around her. “You are not a terrible mother. You just tend to panic when it comes to the kids because you want to protect them.” He hugs her tight. “They don’t know what you went through, Ame.” he kisses the side of her head, closing his eyes and thinking back to that trauma.
Amelie sighs “I know. I love you for how much you understand me...and everything else. It was so much easier when the kids were small. When I could solve their problems with bandaids and kisses and story time and lego. This land of teeneagers Felix, I don’t know the way…..and Sasha is 17. He’ll be through it and I won’t have even seen the path to him. Where did our little boy go? I feel the same with Gen….they slip from us like strangers in the house.”
Felix holds her. “They're still with us.” he sighs. “They’re just growing up and finding their own way. We have to get to know these adults. If they let us.” his phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket, looking at it. The caller ID comes up as Alexandra Police Department. He answers cautiously. “Hello. Yes, this is Dr. Beaulieu.” he is quiet, but some squawking can be heard on the other end and his jaw drops. “Jesus Christ. Yes … no, I appreciate that. I … we’ll be there as soon as we can. Thank you, Officer.” and he disconnects and looks at his phone as if he can’t believe what just happened. “Fuck.” says the man who really rarely swears.
Amelie was beginning to feel comforted by the words and support of Felix. It was the two of them, finding solid ground as a team for the kids as they sometimes had to do. New place, life changes. It made sense they had to find their feet again. Then Felix’s phone rings and Amelie overhears his side of the conversation and goes from starting to relax a bit to a barely contained anxiety attack. He took the Lord’s name in vain and then said officer and then swore? And his facial expressions. Amelie leaned back on him and gripped his arm “What is happening? Who is hurt?”!” She was in terror that one of their children had been in some kind of accident.
Felix can feel Amelie in his arms. She’d been relaxing. Feeling better. Not worrying as much about the children. In seconds she was tenser than she had been when she’d sat in his lap. “No one’s hurt.” he assured her, first thing. He blows out a breath and tries to think of a way to explain what was happening so as not to panic her and he realized that might not be possible.
Amelie can see him stalling, dancing around something. Felix rarely swore but Amelie had sworn maybe 6 times in their entire marriage “Felix….what the fuck?!” She snapped a bit “Why are the police calling you on your cell phone?!”
Felix is still trying to find the words in his head. Then Amelie swears and he blinks at her. He blows out a breath. There were no words and, in his opinion, this was not the end of the world. “Genevive gave them my number.” he tells her. No she knows the ‘who’. “They’re holding her .. not charging her.” he emphasises that part. “She was picked up with a bag of stolen property…”
Amelie’s hand flies to her heart like she’s clutching it to keep it inside her body “Genevieve!” She wails, cutting him off. She stands up and begins to pace a bit, her hands going through her hair anxiously. After a minute or two she takes a long breath in and then exhales and walks to the hook by the door to get her purse and starts putting on her shoes “Let’s go get our girl Felix. Mon dieu.”
Felix bites his lip when she stands, but she seems to be calming herself. That was a good sign. He’s already standing up, getting his wallet and keys from the side table near the door. He slips into his trainers and opens the door for her. “Let’s go get our girl.”
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