Being in the church made kelvin feel closer to a higher power. The atmosphere had a serene feel to it which was unlike anywhere he had been before. Everything in the church welcomed its visitors into its warm environs. From the metal suggestions box to the excuisitely decorated sacristy.

As he walked down the carpeted aisle, he couldn't help but be marvelled at the beauty such a structure held within. The pews on each side of the red aisle was made of the finest oak wood he had ever seen and was polished till it showed the reflection of anyone who closely admired it's fantastic lumbering workmanship. Such excellent woodwork that occupied a good part of the church's open space were not the only sight to behold. Each window in the church were professionally spray painted with an image that represented the rich history of Catholicism. These windows were the main source of light in the building, colorfully reflecting it's luminous solar and lunar supply. Complimenting the colorful rays was a golden chandelier; the only source of artificial light in the room, hanging from the pure white ceiling at the center of it all.

All the beauty that Kelvin first saw didn't prepare him for what was coming next. The lavishly decorated Altar at the other end of the hall. It was richly tiled with brown coloured Squares on the wall and egg shell tiles on the floor.

Standing erectly to complement the decor was the four feet high, eight feet wide concrete table embroidered with golden silk and white linen. Sitting on the table top were candles and a silver crucifix. The entirety of it all was a befitting place for any supernatural being including God to rest and dwell therein.

His best friend, Stephanie led him to the confessional at the left side of the church where a Pascal candle stood. She had always been there for him since he was first adopted from his orphanage by his new parents.

He was certainly glad they were friends especially now that she saved a seat for the both of them in the midst of the impatient crowd . They walked to the chair where church goers sat in meditation awaiting their confession. Both friends sat quietly and tried to meditate and recollect their sins.

Kevin had no sin worthy of his age to recollect, no matter how hard he tried.After minutes of contemplation, he decided it was his chance to free his mind of the load he had been forced to carry for a long time. He didn't need recollection because those sins plagued his conscience and he knew them all too well.

As Kelvin looked on, the number of people reduced rapidly until it was finally his turn. He walked nervously towards the confessional to where he was supposed to kneel.

A wave of anxiety overshadowed him for the first time since he got ready to come in the first place. The thought of missing any of the protocols for confession scared the hell out of him.

The leather cushion he knelt on felt like his knees were sinking in them. He began on the cue of the sign of the cross.

"Forgive me father for I have sinned. This is my first confession since I was baptized." He wished he could see the priest's face to be sure he was saying the right words. Instead he was given a reply.

"What are the sins you want forgiveness for, child?" A thick manly voice asked behind the wooden demacation. Kelvin had heard the voice before on the altar every Sunday during homily, but hearing it in close range had a different effect on him. He sounds nice enough. The frequency of the man's voice kelvin alot calmer.

"I do tell lies alot" Kelvin was getting too comfortable "like there is this one time when....."

"You don't have to tell me the details" the priest interrupted politely "just list them and answer any question I ask you."

"Oh, okay. Sorry sir... I mean father"

"No need to apologise, carry on."

"Like I said I lie most of the time and steal when I have to" kelvin listed it out as it came to him."my biological father died while purnishing me and for a while I was blamed for it."

"Do you think it was your fault in any way?" He asked with a soft bass in his voice.

"I was bad i guess, that's why he purnished me." Kelvin replied, he was retrieving memories he had chosen to forget.." I'm honestly sorry for doing what I did that led to his death."

"And what exactly did you do?"the priest asked, still calm after all he had heard so far.

"That is my last confession father." He took a deep breath preparing mentally for what he was about to say."I've been having some strange feelings."

"What sort of feelings boy?"he had an authority in his voice that sounded like impatience.

"Feelings that have clouded my thought" he was trying to find the right words to describe it. "I um.. I have feelings for boys like I should for girls."

"And that was why your father purnished you before he died" Kelvin wanted to hear a change of tone in the priest voice but it was as calm as ever.

"Yes father."

"These feelings, have you acted on them?" Still no sign of shock to be heard.

"No father" he wasn't sure if he hadn't "except for reading bad magazines and masturbating to men and boys."

"Stealing and lying is one thing my son but these feelings are the works of the devil from the pit of hell." Kelvin listened with rapt attention.

"You are a child of God about to receive the eucharistic sacrament for the first time." He stopped for a while like an actor who had forgotten his lines."What is baptism?"

"It is the sacrament that cleanse us from original sin, makes us christians, children of God and members of the church." He imagined how well he would pass if this was the catechism exam question.

"Since you are baptized, you are a Christian. and as a Christian, you should be able to resist these temptations when the devil brings it to you." The priest stylishly peeked at Kelvin through the small hole on the demacation.

"Your penance is to say the full rosary and you will come to sweep the church this evening" Kelvin didn't like his penance one bit. "If you work for God, he will help you overcome the devil."

The priest was done talking.Kelvin was not sure what to do next. He contemplated on getting up but it just didn't feel right. Then he was reminded.

"Act of contrition!"

,