She went to work for the priest reluctantly. It was actually a pretty boring job – like a house wife without benefits.
She shopped for him, planned his meals, cleaned, vacuumed, dusted, cooked, did the laundry, made up his bed, did the dishes and anything else that needed doing. She even sold candles when anyone came to the door wanting one.
She watched the soaps and game shows as she ironed every stitch of clothing he wore – even his socks and undershirts, night clothes, and boxers. She inspected his sheets for semen everyday as she made up his bed, but never found any. The biggest mess she had to clean up was an abundance of Shower-to-Shower powder on the bathroom floor. She was really bored.
She prepared his dinner every night. He loved deviled eggs and insisted on having several as an appetizer. He also wanted salad and a full course meal, including dessert. She made all the standards: meatloaf, spaghetti, chops, steaks, chicken…. Once when he had the company of several priests to dinner, she made a pan of green chicken enchiladas and Spanish rice. That turned out to be a big hit!
During that time she attended church several times and studied the promotional literature. It was interesting and full of drama and old rituals. There was something comforting about being in the church with the candles flickering and people praying quietly.
In the priest’s living room there was a display of hand blown ornamental glass on glass shelves, like The Glass Menagerie. The living room was also used as a place to counsel or console parishioners, so it had to be kept spotless.
The priest wanted that glass cleaned every week! There were step stools and ladders involved… and a lot of careful washing up. Her philosophy on dust was that it serves a purpose as earthquake protection. Plus, if you never move it, you can’t tell that it’s dusty anyway. She figured twice a year would be enough dusting for anyone.
It was not the job she wanted. She thought that an older lady might be better suited to the position…. and she put the idea of becoming a Catholic on the back burner of her mind. She was hot off the press at the age of nineteen. She was looking for adventure!
(First published 4/12/13)
