Chapter Ten
Veronica’s breathing grew more shallow as the morning went on. When her pulse became irregular, Rodger decided she would not live to receive Fr. Schmitz. Mike had remained in the room since breakfast, alternatively reading out loud and talking to his mom. She made almost no response, but Rodger thought it worth the try. She would go out hearing Mike’s voice, and Mike had a lot to say.
He gave Fr. Schmitz a call. The only option, they decided, was to bring Veronica to the church. Father simply could not leave, and he did not know of another priest who could attend to her sooner. Lifting his wife from her bed, Rodger carried Veronica to the Chevelle and laid her in back. Mike climbed in front, and they drove to the Redemptorist parish.
Fr. Schmitz was waiting before the church and directed them to an alley. Shaded by nearby buildings, it led to a small parking lot for the priests. Rodger pulled in where Fr. Schmitz pointed, the pastor’s spot. “He’s gone for the day,” the priest explained, adding, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Taking Mike by the hand, Rodger started for the church. He stopped, looked at Mike, and said, “We have to say goodbye to mom.”
“Why,” Mike asked, “is she going somewhere?”
“She’s going to die, Mike,” Rodger answered.
The boy looked back at the car and put his thumb to his mouth, a gesture he had not used since Veronica left. Rodger guided him to the door near her feet. Fr. Schmitz had opened the opposite door and gained Veronica’s attention. He was wearing a small, purple stole around his neck and had placed a case containing bottles of oil, a crucifix, and a pyx nearby.
Rodger was surprised at his own calm. He could think only of Mike. The boy slowly crawled onto the floorboard. A small pink hand grasped a nearly white one, and not much larger. As the priest recited prayers, Veronica smiled at her son. Mike froze momentarily and then crawled out. Thinking he could not do better, Rodger kissed his own hand and reached forward to touch Veronica’s. She smiled and closed her eyes.
They went into the church. Rodger reminded Mike of their confessions in La Junta. “Now it’s mom’s turn, so we need to pray for her.” Possessing a natural reticence to make demands, Rodger knelt and allowed himself a plea:
“Okay, God, if the prayers of this boy are not enough, I don’t know what to say. Look at him. He’s kneeling here, hands clasped, praying for his mom. I hope that means something, that it’s worth something. I’ve made my mistakes, but look into that boy’s heart.”
Rodger bowed his head in humility before the Tabernacle. Traffic went by outside. When he looked up, Fr. Schmitz was sitting just before them, an elbow over the pew. “She made a good confession, but she’s gone, I’m so sorry,” he said, shaking Rodger’s hand and touching Mike’s head.
Without seeking permission Mike ran outside. Veronica was lying still, head wet with ointment. Mike grasped her hair, seemingly remembering that he had done so as a baby. Fr. Schmitz followed and waited for questions. “Is she dead?” “Yes, her soul has left her body. I blessed her before she left, and I think she is safe.” Mike looked at him. “That’s what I do, Mike. I help people get to heaven.”
Fr. Schmitz made a call while Rodger stood by. He could not think of much, but he noticed the care shown by the coroner’s officials. Keeping the number and address of the morgue, he thanked the priest, helped Mike into the car, and headed back to the motel.
The next day was strangely mundane. Checking out of Veronica’s room, calling the morgue with a few questions not asked or remembered, and shopping for groceries. Mike ignored his school work, which was fine because he would not have gone to school anyway. He did look at his Catechism. Fr. Schmidt had anointed Veronica with oil, something a priest had never done to him in confession. Mike figured the explanation would be in the back of the book. He found it, but it was short, and he read on:
“202. What is Anointing of the Sick?
Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament which gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body when we are in at least probable danger of death.
B. Holy Orders
We read in the Holy Bible:
‘And Jesus was going about all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity. But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were bewildered and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest’ (Matt. 9, 35-38).’
Our Lord sends His priests to the His sheep
Our Blessed Lord sent His Apostles to help His sheep who were in need. He does the same thing today by making me bishops and priests, giving them the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He asks us to pray that many young boys will accept the invitation to work in the field of the Lord.”
Mike carefully placed his Catechism on top of his school books. Distant thoughts were forming in his heart. He knew, as if he had not known before, that he could pray for his mom, and for everyone else, too.