The first literacy class Amanda taught was a success. About forty people of different ages came to the church. It was a very heterogeneous group, encompassing children and elderly adults, almost all field workers and humble people.
"I think what you achieved in just one day was incredible," Father Facundo said once the students had left."Do you really think so?" Amanda asked, feeling a deep emotion overwhelm her soul."Of course! It was an excellent idea to start by writing their names and the words they see every day in the fields. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before everyone can read and write," the priest added, with pride."Thank you," Amanda said, feeling warmth spread across her face."No, thank you for helping these people and me with all this. I'm aware that if your family found out, you'd be in big trouble. Do you think it's wise to teach another class next week? If you think it's too risky, I'm sure I could find someone else..." the priest added, not daring to make eye contact with the young woman."I want to continue. It's unlikely my family will find out, and if they do, they have to understand that what I'm doing is not wrong," she said.Amanda felt useful, as if she had finally found her life's mission. She had felt this sensation before when helping Dr. Medina, but now she felt closer to the priest than ever. She preferred to leave health issues to the doctor and Julia Duarte to help make the priest's dreams come true."Well, it was an excellent first class. I think we'll see each other on another occasion," Father Facundo said, ending the conversation."Wait, Father. Do you think I could confess?" she asked timidly.She had been thinking about it for weeks and had finally decided to try to let the priest know about her feelings for him. Although something in her heart seemed to confirm that the priest felt the same way, she needed to confirm it was true."Of course. Come this way," he said and guided her to the confessional.Amanda knelt in the small wooden booth. She could distinguish the silhouette of Father Facundo on the other side of the lattice. It was an intimate and quiet place, but just the act of making the most important confession of her life made her feel nervous. Her heart was pounding, and her hands were sweaty and trembling."In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned," she began to recite in a voice that didn't feel like her own."Go ahead, daughter. You can speak freely. May the Lord be in your heart so you can examine your conscience and repent by confessing all your sins humbly," he encouraged.She began to think that asking the priest to hear her confession had not been a good idea. What would happen if he didn't feel the same way? What would happen if she told him the truth and he rejected her and wouldn't let her come back? She felt paralyzed by fear, and her words seemed to resist coming out of her mouth."It's been months since my last confession," she said in a whisper."Everything will be fine. Everything you say will remain between us and God," the priest said to reassure her.God would not approve of her love; Amanda was sure of that."I have lied to my mother..." she said, lowering her gaze.That was true, but it wasn't the truth that had brought her there. The priest already knew she lied to her family. Her drawings were not the only reason she went to the church every day."I'm sure God hears your prayers and that in due time, He will give your family clarity to understand your motives. Do you want to add anything else?" the priest asked.The man's words conveyed an inexplicable peace. Even so, it wasn't enough for Amanda to be honest."There is something else, but I don't think I should say it out loud," she said when the silence became unbearable."I'm sure you'll feel much better once you say it," he urged."Maybe, but I'm afraid that if I say it out loud, it will become more serious than it is," she added.The priest waited in silence for her to resolve the inner conflict she was going through."I have had impure thoughts about a man," Amanda said, swallowing nervously.The priest cleared his throat on the other side of the wooden grill and indicated that it would be best for her to pray three Our Fathers to receive the Lord's forgiveness. He would help her cleanse her mind of such thoughts and avoid falling into the temptation of sin. Amanda accepted, feeling a bit ashamed, and stood up. She simply couldn't do it. She couldn't confess the truth to Father Facundo. Having his friendship and complicity was better than losing him forever if he didn't feel the same way.Amanda left the confessional and prayed kneeling before the altar. When she finished her penance, she saw that Sebastián, Pablo Ferreira, and Antony Van Ewen were waiting, seated on a pew near the church entrance. She walked over to greet them, and moments later, Father Facundo joined them. The young men had brought some illegal silks to town, and since they were passing by, they went to fetch her to return to La Rosa together.Amanda was surprised to see the young men speak so freely about smuggling, an illegal act, in the church and in front of Father Facundo. Fortunately, the priest didn't seem scandalized by their words or the young woman's confessions."How was your first day teaching literacy to the field workers?" Sebastián asked, raising an eyebrow.Amanda looked at him, frightened. A word from the Englishman would be enough for her family to find out everything. She could see from his expression that he didn't approve of something like that."I wouldn't call my Sunday school literacy for the field workers. I'm really sorry Amanda had to wait to confess, but I've already told the parents of those children they need to pick them up on time next time," the priest lied to protect Amanda, then nervously laughed a bit.Antony Van Ewen looked confused but said nothing, and Pablo and Sebastián joined the priest's laughter to support him. Maybe the Englishman thought he hadn't understood the situation because he didn't speak the language well, so he started laughing as if he had heard an excellent joke. Fortunately, Pablo changed the subject, and they had a relaxed chat before heading to La Rosa. Amanda realized that her secret had almost been discovered and that they needed to be more careful because her entire life could change in the blink of an eye.