But I Smile Anyway…

Sue’s #writephoto prompt this week.

In the darkness, all seemed hopeless. What was I supposed to do?

I’d done what I had seen done in countless films, gone to the confessional in the church.

I’m not a church-goer. I don’t know whether it would help me, but they always seem so relieved in the movies, like a weight lifted off their shoulders, then something miraculous usually happens and all is right again.

But nothing did happen initially. I came out, after pouring it all out to whoever was behind that curtain, still feeling full of guilt.

Sitting in a pew, I looked up at the cross ahead of me.

The night was drawing in fast, the setting sun casting long shadows across the whole of the church.

I closed my eyes. I wanted to cry. Maybe I just needed to shut my eyes forever.

That’s one way the guilt would go.

I opened my eyes again.

The whole church was shrouded in darkness.

How long had my eyes been shut?

Suddenly, a light shone in from outside.

Looking up, I saw a lantern illuminating the church with a dull glow.

Then I looked back at the cross.

I don’t know why but something lifted from my shoulders.

Maybe things actually would be ok…