Altarboy novel · Chapter 24 of 24
Chapter 24: Altarboy
In May the cherry trees behind the rectory bloomed, and Father Cyril announced his last Mass on a Tuesday, over scrambled eggs.
"Sunday," he said. "The nine o'clock. I would like to say it myself, with the people I like."
"You've said it every Sunday for forty-six years," Fintan said.
"Then I know how it goes."
He ate his toast calmly.
"After that, the young man from the chancery may have the keys."
"He asks very politely and he has a nice voice. I intend to sit in the front pew and heckle."
Kaz laughed so hard he had to put down his fork.
The church was packed on Sunday.
Every pew was full and the side aisles stood three deep, and the doors were propped open so the people on the steps could hear.
Kaz put on the alb in the sacristy.
It fit him perfectly now.
The wrist cuffs that Fintan had pinned in October were stitched, and the hem had been let down an inch.
On the vestment press lay a single index card, in Fintan's block capitals.
It said, SUNDAY. NO CARDS.
Father Cyril came in on his own feet, in his white vestments, with his glasses straight.
"Kasimir."
"Father."
"Where is my stole?"
"On your neck."
"So it is." He patted it. "Shall we?"
They walked out together into the long bright nave, and the whole church rose.
Father Cyril said the Mass without a single mistake.
Kaz knew, because he was listening to every word.
He rang the bell at the consecration, and held the book at the Gospel, and poured the water over the old man's fingers.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–12 of Altarboy are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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