Back in the Habit by Alice Loweecey Read Free Book Online Page A

you. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take these folders to my room to study.”
    She closed the door, walked straight across the hall, and pressed her forehead below the portrait of the Community’s sixth Superior General.
    â€œSister Regina Coelis? Are you all right?” Sister Bartholomew’s whisper sounded in Giulia’s ear and a hand touched her shoulder.
    â€œI will be.” She straightened and gave Sister Bartholomew a crooked smile. In the same whisper, she said, “When they autopsy that woman’s body one day, they’ll need a magnifying glass to find her heart.”
    Sister Bartholomew covered her mouth with both hands this time.
    Giulia led them back upstairs. “Talking to her is like playing chess while rollerblading on a freeway.”
    Sister Bartholomew sucked in a deep breath and took her hands away. “Where do you get the guts to say out loud what everyone’s thinking?”
    â€œNot much to lose, I’m afraid. I should let you know that I’m not exactly the best example for young Sisters to follow. What’s the schedule for the rest of today?”
    She checked her watch. “History of the four Communities at seven-thirty. Tonight’s the one from New Jersey.”
    â€œIs it mandatory?”
    She shook her head. “They’re not too bad, though. The one from Indiana showed us all these pictures of when their Motherhouse got overrun by mice back when everyone wore the old habit. One had three climbing her skirt and another was whacking them with a yardstick.”
    When they opened the door off the third-floor landing, the buzz of multiple discreet conversations enveloped them.
    â€œNo, thanks. Before I forget, what time is Mass tomorrow?”
    â€œOffice at six-forty, Mass at seven.”
    â€œLet me rephrase that. What’s your schedule tomorrow?”
    â€œUm, why?”
    â€œBecause you’re overworked and underfed and not getting enough sleep. What can I do to help?”
    Sister Bartholomew stopped walking. “Um, well, um, we have to be available to show new arrivals to their rooms, plus there’s choir rehearsal at eleven, and before that we have to buff the chapel floor.”
    â€œI used to run a mean buffer. Let me take that one for you.”
    â€œBridget used to—” Sister Bartholomew cut herself off and smiled brightly at Giulia. “That would be great, if you’re allowed to.”
    â€œYou get a little freedom post-vows.”
    The Novice’s expression said, Tell me another one .
    Giulia smiled. “Not a lot. A little.”
    â€œI’ll check with Sister Gretchen—she’s our Novice Mistress—and see if it’s allowed, but, well, don’t you want to reconnect with Sisters you haven’t seen in a year?”
    â€œI prefer to keep busy.”
    Two Sisters at once tried to catch Sister Bartholomew’s attention as she and Giulia entered the crowded hall.
    â€œMe, too.” Her mouth quirked. “Sometimes you should be careful what you pray for.” She turned to the waiting nuns with that bright smile.

Eight
    â€œFabian, did you really think I’d fall for this pile of alpaca crap?”
    Giulia flung another page of the “report” behind her. The scattered white printer pages made a random pattern on the faded linoleum. “I’d get better information if I read the floor like tea leaves in the bottom of a cup. She actually expects me to believe that Sister Bridget had been depressed and reclusive since the day she entered—as much as the life of a crazy-busy Postulant and Novice allowed.”
    She slammed the last page on the polished desk.
    â€œDid Fabian think I’d forgotten the three-day gauntlet of psychological tests? Did she think I’d be suckered into believing that a Community exists that doesn’t do testing for prospective entrants?”
    She heard her voice getting louder and clenched