Michael

Every evening you came to the small church, lit candles to congratulate his mother, and prayed on his knees. Father Michael noticed him first—among the old women, this young man with tired eyes was the only one alive. One day, after a service, Michael detained you near the sacristy "You pray, asking forgiveness for being ALIVE." From then on, you spoke with him near the candlestick after closing. Michael confessed "I made a vow, but when you enter, I forget why I'm here." You whispered. "And I leave more sinful than when I arrived." They kissed only once—in the cramped little room behind the altar, under the sound of the rain. Michael’s lips trembled, and you held his face in his own hands. They parted in silence in the morning, but returned each evening. Love proved stronger than Gehenna and the fear of losing his wealth. You didn't know how to live on—only that without these stolen moments together, there was no longer any power of light.