The Arcade

Walking through the front doors of Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church, Cosmo and his family were immediately greeted with the muted strains of Oh Maria from the church organ.

The organist, Estelle Papandreos – affectionately known as ‘Grammy Stella’ - had been playing the century-old pipe organ at Saint Andrew’s for fifty-three years. She could make the music coming out of it’s ancient pipes joyous and loud enough to summon angels, or soft enough to lull a baby to sleep. She was a consummate professional and a very Godly woman, and everyone loved her.

Cosmo and his parents found their usual seats in the third pew from the front. Folding out the kneelers, the three of them knelt in prayer before the Holy Crucifix of Christ.

Rosemary had finished her prayer, then extracted her rosary beads from her pocket. Joe and Cosmo followed suit. As a family, they had always attended Mass together. Every Sunday they sat and alternately knelt right here in this row, in these seats. Tonight seemed different – more solemn.

Clearing her throat, Rosemary began “Ave Maria, Gratia Plena…”

Joe and Cosmo joined in, “…Dominus Tecum. Benedicta Tu en Mulieribus, et Benedictus Fructus Ventris Tui Iesu. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus Nunc et in Hora Mortis Nostrae, Amen.” What they prayed was this: Hail Mary, full of Grace, Blessed Art Thou Among Women, and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us Sinners Now and at the Hour of our Death, Amen.

After repeating this prayer ten times, while counting each repetition on a rosary bead, they finished with The Lord’s Prayer, in English this time. They remained kneeling before the Cross of Christ for a little while longer, until they heard the entrance hymn begin, at which point they stood.

As the altar boys, deacons, and priest walked past, Cosmo noticed that Father Larkin looked over at his dad and nodded. Joe nodded back, and it was then Cosmo realized Father Larkin already knew about Theo. That meant he would be mentioned in the prayers at the end of Mass.

The priest greeted the congregation, and then began the Mass. There was no homily, as this was only a Eucharistic Mass – which meant that only communion would be taken, and a remembrance with prayers. That was where Theo would be mentioned, and prayers for him and his family asked for.

At the end of Mass, Father Larkin met Cosmo and his parents in the narthex – the church’s foyer – and asked about Theo. “My secretary gave me the message about Theo. How is he?”

Rosemary gave the priest the briefest of embraces, then replied “Vita called us earlier today to let us know that he was awake and seemed to be doing fine. She went on to explain that Theo’s broken leg…”

While his mother was explaining the scope of Theo’s injuries, Cosmo’s mind began to wander to how he was going to explain that what had happened was his fault – or if he even should. It even occurred to him to mention all of this in Confession, but he quickly rejected that idea, knowing that whomever heard that kind of confession – in this case Father Larkin – would take it for either a joke, or the product of an over-active imagination. He’d just have to wait for Sal.

He quickly came back from his own thoughts when he felt his dad give him a slight nudge. “Huh-wha?”

Joe looked at Cosmo. “Father Larkin asked how you were, son…”

Cosmo felt himself turning red. “Oh, I’m sorry, Father. I was just thinking about Theo. I’m fine, I guess – just worried about him.”

The priest simply smiled and said “We all are, Cosmo. Keep your faith up, keep Theo in your prayers, and know that God has him safely in His hands. Theo will be fine.” Laying a hand on Cosmo’s shoulder and smiling, he continued “He has a loving family, and many caring friends such as yourself.”

Cosmo lowered his eyes at this, and replied “Yes, Father. Thank you.”

They said their goodbyes and, leaving the priest to the other parishioners, made their way out to their car. The ride home was mostly a quiet one, with a little small talk here and there between Joe and Rosemary. Cosmo sat in the back, deep in thought.

When the car pulled in to the driveway at home, it was Rosemary who had to stop halfway to the front door when she hadn’t heard Cosmo get out of the car. Walking back, she tapped on the driver’s side of the windshield to get his attention.

Cosmo jumped, and his head snapped around at the sound of his mother’s pecking on the glass. Quickly getting out of the car, he shut the door and started around the back of the car towards the front door.

“Are you alright?” his mother asked. “You seem like you’re a million miles away right now. You never said a word on the way back, and I don’t even think you realized we were home until I got your attention.” She was peering at him with concern.

Cosmo blinked at her. “Yeah, I’m okay. I guess it’s just that so much has happened today, and I’m really tired. I’m just glad Theo is gonna be okay.”

Rosemary put her arms around her son, and folded him into the warm sort of embrace that only mothers seem to be able to give. “It has been a very scary, trying, and draining day, and I am surprised and very proud of how well you’ve handled it all.” Looking into Cosmo’s eyes, she continued “Why, if I had gone through this sort of experience when I was your age, I would have been a nervous wreck!”

Walking into the house together, he replied, “I think I am a nervous wreck, but my brain just hasn’t figured it out yet.”

His mom gave a small chuckle and said, “Well, I think some hot chocolate and ginger snaps will help with that, anyway.”

As the door closed, Cosmo asked “Mom, have you had your glucose checked recently?”

“My what?”

“Nevermind. Mom?”

“Yeah, Stinky?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, kiddo.”