Chapter Two

Angela Morley quietly closed the door to the confessional, knelt down and made the Sign of The Cross. "Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been thirty days since my last confession." She bent her head down and fought back her tears as she heard the priest speak. "Tell me your confession, my child." "Father, I am in the depths of despair. My husband no longer touches me in the way a husband should touch his wife. We have not had relations in over three months and he refuses to speak to me about it. I have been a good, faithful wife and we were always so close for our entire marriage, but lately, he has not been himself; he rarely eats his meals at home anymore…he spends nights away from home with little or no explanation, and he angers very easily. He has not been violent towards me or our son, but he has definitely distanced himself…the loneliness and concern I feel has driven me to thoughts of craziness…thoughts of suicide…I don't feel I can truly live without his love. I must ask the Lord for forgiveness, for I feel I am losing my soul…yet I must stay strong for my son."

"Yes, my child, you must express true sorrow for your sins and your despair. Considering suicide is a very grave sin. It is evident that Satan has worked his way into your soul during this difficult time. All marriages go through periods of trial. Have you taken time for quiet prayer and reflection?" "Father, I pray every day, three times a day…but I am so confused…" "Follow the Lord, my dear, and follow your heart. Try again to speak to your husband about your problems. If he will not cooperate, then consider a trip away from him. Sometimes a wife's absence can help a husband know just how much he needs her…do you have a relative or friend whom you could visit? Perhaps you might find comfort in their love and assistance at this time." "Thank you, Father, I will consider it." "For your penance, say a Rosary, along with five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's, and perform an act of charity. Now say your Act of Contrition…"

Angela knelt down in the church's front pew, to say her penance prayers. Closing her eyes, she envisioned the Lord looking down upon her from above. If only Colin shared her religious beliefs…that would have served as a common ground for them…they could at least try to pray together and maybe meet halfway on whatever it was that had distanced him. But lately, the far away look in his eyes told her that Colin's life was no longer to be truly shared with her and little Caleb. They might continue to live under his roof, but he would not really be living with them; he would continue to come and go as he wished, more of a visitor than a member of their family.

Surprisingly, Colin's carriage was out in front of the villa as Angela's carriage pulled in the circular drive. She had carefully pondered the priest's words on the ride back home from confession, and now saw this as the perfect opportunity to try to speak with Colin about their troubled marriage. She would try this one more time. If he wouldn't join her in trying to make this union work, then she would take Caleb away with her to America to visit her sister.

As soon as she found Colin in the library, however, she sensed this conversation was doomed from the start. "Colin, my dear, I'm surprised to find you home in the middle of the afternoon. Is something wrong?" Colin glanced up from his desk with a perturbed look on his face. "I've been called away to London on business - quite unexpectedly - and it looks to be a long trip. I don't think I shall return home until August." "August? Colin, that's another month from now! Is there any way you could postpone it? I was hoping we could begin spending more time together. I miss you desperately, Colin. You're never home anymore…" "I'm home right now." Colin said loudly, interrupting her. "I'm very busy with my newest London based businesses as you know. They're taking up a lot of my time."

Angela saw the coldness in her husband's eyes. "But Colin, it's not just me, Caleb misses you, too. He longs for the father he…" "What?" Colin interrupted her. "The father he USED to have? Is that what you were about to say? Well, I'm NOT the man I used to be, Angela!" Colin glared at her, but then, suddenly, his outburst ended and his voice immediately switched to a quiet, thoughtful, almost somber tone. "I'm changing, I admit that. But I'm changing for the better in some ways- I've come to believe that. I can't explain it to you - you'd never understand. Just know that I still do love you and Caleb with all my heart, and that's why I'm working so hard to build my business holdings and increase our fortune. It's all for you and Caleb. Remember that, no matter what happens. Remember that."

And, once again, the coldness returned to Colin's eyes. "Now, really, I must leave. Tell Caleb I will write to him as soon as I get to London." Angela walked toward her husband, mustering all her courage, and asked "Would you consider allowing Caleb and I to visit you in London, just for a week? It's only a five day journey and it's time that Caleb began seeing some of the world." But she was again interrupted by Colin. "Absolutely not. I don't have the time, or the inclination to interrupt my business meetings with sightseeing and frivolous excursions. I'm there to work. Maybe another time." And with that, Colin grabbed his briefcase, and escorted his wife out of the library. She followed him to the front door.

"Then Colin, when you return from London, don't expect Caleb and I to be here. I'll be taking him with me to visit my sister, Rosalind, in America. She has invited us to come and I am going to accept her kind invitation." Colin looked slightly stunned, but quickly regained his composure. "Fine, that will be a good trip for young Caleb - as you said, it's time for him to start seeing some of the world." Colin bent down slightly to kiss his wife's cheek, ignoring the tears welling up in her eyes. "Take good care, my dear" he said. "How long will you be gone?" "I - I don't know yet…it's such a long journey…at least two months." "Very well then" Colin answered. "I'll stop at the bank right now before I leave town and arrange for an appropriate sum to be set aside so that you may book first-class passage on the ship as soon as you wish. No doubt, you'll need a good amount for spending money as well.

I'll be sure to write you at your sister's over the summer." Angela bit her tongue and tried to smile. "Thank you, Colin. I'm sure Caleb will be very excited - but he'll miss you terribly!" Angela said softly. "Yes, well, we'll have lots to talk about when you both return, won't we?" Colin said as he opened the heavy oak door. "Goodbye, Angela; safe journey." "Goodbye, Colin."

The door closed with a soft thud. Angela blindly held on to the inside doorknob, as the hot tears fell freely down her cheeks.

End Of Chapter Two
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