Page 225 - The Houseguest

much of her speech as possible. After all, I’m doing my penance. What more is required of me?
She continued, “Before I am able to reach full forgiveness, I need for you to know about the man you set up for your heinous crimes, and eventually killed.” This time, I quickly interrupted: But I did not kill...”. “Shut up!” she replied angrily. “Just shut your mouth and listen.” Feeling like a scolded schoolboy, I slumped down in the hard chair and listened, forming an obvious sarcastic smirk. She droned on: “You did kill him. Your actions are the reason he took his own life, a life that was finally beginning to show promise, to have meaning. I need to know...have you ever felt remorse, sir? Do you lie awake ever and accept and admit that you are a wicked, wicked man? I feel, if I knew that you were repentant, it would be easier for me to forgive you.”
“But I don’t need your forgiveness,” I told her. “I am paying the price for what I’ve done.”
“Do you believe in God?” she asked. My answer was swift and concise: “No, and I pity those who do.”
“God, please forgive me for what I am feeling in my heart right now,” she whispered. “for it is a hatred I have never experienced.” She turned her anger again towards me: “You know my brother was a man like you’ll never be. Some think it is cowardice to take your own life, but in actuality, it is quite the opposite. It requires fearlessness that a man like you could never know. One of the things that prompted my visit today is that I read your hostage's book. I learned how you cried like a baby when you thought you were dying, alone. That figures. You couldn’t
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life