- Hello, my children - said the priest, making me open my eyes and realizing that he is already standing behind the pulpit.
I look aside, to confirm the suspicion that Mr. Campbell is there. He stares straight ahead, but his green eyes never seem to focus on one spot. I also look at the priest, pretending that the man next to me doesn't exist.
Now the visit of all the young people and nuns is explained. They brush past him, smile as if they're only being polite, then make their way to the first pews, just for the chance to sway their hips in their robes in his line of sight.
But Bruce doesn't seem to be interested in them. Her face is turned towards the image of the Virgin Mary on the altar, and I could tell her spirit is praying.
- Let's start with the choir - Father Abeille calls, then the children go up to the altar and get organized to start singing, all in white cassocks with gold ornaments.
- Family atmosphere, right? - I ask, because being next to him in silence is torture.
- I had to come, in case you want to confess - he answers immediately, but he doesn't look at me.
- It's your game then? Discover my secrets, get closer to my family, make my father dependent on your money...
- Match?
I look around to make sure we're not disturbing other people, although most of them are women who only came because Bruce came to this building. However, the church is big and stuffy so the sound of the choir fills everything.
- Yeah. But in return for what? It may be obvious, but we have no money, let alone public support.
- Maybe I'm just doing a good deed.
I have to cover my mouth so as not to laugh, then cross myself. Forgive me, God, maybe it's a sin.
And maybe that's what makes the man look at me. He looks away from the porcelain image and glares at me. At first, he is not interested in his gaze. It's like he's just wondering why I'm disturbing his moment. But after fixing his gaze on the profile of my face, in that way that makes my skin tingle, he seems to see me.
His gaze continues on me. He looks into my eyes, then into my loose hair, then into my legs. Bruce sees everything, and it worries me about what I'm showing.
When the choir has finished praising, the priest asks everyone to stand. Everyone is in the front pews, with just me and Bruce in the back, so when people get up they block our view of the altar.
- Hold your brother's hand by your side. Let's pray together before Mass - suggests Father Abeille.