Abundant Love–dVerse Prosery #3

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Abundant Love

A ray of light broke through the blinds in the motel room, awakening Jasmine, who found herself alone with the scent of cheap alcohol and smoke. Twenty-five ones were piled on the nightstand beside her. A note, written on a napkin, said, simply: “Thanks. It was okay.”

Jasmine dressed and fled into the early morning light. Shades of pink awakened the horizon. Down the street the bells of her childhood parish sounded 6:00AM Mass. Tears streaked her face as she snuck into the back pew, hating herself for who she had become in order to raise her baby.

Father Patrick, the old priest who had baptized her, came and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Surprising herself, she poured out her pain, telling herself, “You will love again the stranger who was your self.” Once again, God’s love held her so very close.

Linked to dVerse Prosery #3–a Flash Fiction of exactly 144 word. The prompt, however, requires not more than 144 words.

Rembrandt: The Prodigal Son. Public Domain.