The lonely Observer: A Moment of Grace (part 3)

Ebuka at first thought of running off—running from this stranger priest who had suddenly taken notice of him after spending up to three years in his parish.

But something held him back. A feeling spurred him to talk, assuring him that maybe, just maybe, this priest might be different.

He hesitated at first, but before he knew it, he was spilling it all out, everything he had kept hidden for years.

He told him how he wished he were just like the rest. He spoke of enduring long nights in his room waiting for his parents to stop raising their voices, how he always prayed silently not to be noticed by a soul at school to avoid their teasing and disapproving gaze, and how he always wished for someone who would come into his life to listen to his endless woes.

Father Mike was shocked to hear so much pain coming from a boy of that age. He felt helpless, knowing he couldn't take away Ebuka's pain and grief.

Still searching his mind for a response, he noticed that Ebuka had finished speaking and was most probably waiting to hear something, anything.

"Have you talked to God about all these?" Father Mike finally said after a moment of silence.

"No, in fact, I haven't tried."

"Would you want to?"

"Maybe..." Ebuka replied, his eyes showing uneasiness and disappointment. He had expected something else.

Father Mike stood up immediately as he saw people leaving the church after the Benediction. He looked at Ebuka for a moment and prayed silently in his heart, asking God to do anything for this troubled lad.

"Would you follow me in?" he asked, gesturing to the church.