Raney & Levine by J. A. Schneider

felt. I mean, God loves
all
children, and this baby
     was to be raised by his or her loving parents and God loves families.” She
     shrugged and gestured. “I often feel torn.”
    They nodded, smiled a little.
    Cathy was quiet for a moment, then searched David’s eyes.
     “Is there any chance Jenna might recover? Partially at least?”
    “There’s significant brain damage,” he said quietly. “But
     there’s always hope.”
    “And
prayer.
I’m going to pray my heart out.”
    Sister Cathy rose, wiping a tear. “Thank you for telling me,
     preparing me.” She glanced feelingly toward Jenna’s room. “The Sutters must be
     in so much pain. Maybe I can comfort them.”
    Jill said, “It does help them to talk, have company. They’re
     feeling very alone.”
    “I’ll go to them now.”
    The figure was stooped. Wore a dark, cheap coat, leather
     gloves, and a kerchief over her blond hair.
    It should have looked odd: stiff, bleached-looking hair on a
     tall figure who walked bent over - but at one in the morning, who’d notice in a
     hospital chapel?
It’s nearly deserted anyway
, the figure thought.
Just
     one man in a pew near the front, weeping.
    Head bowed, the figure moved into a pew several rows behind
     the man. Placed a battered black purse on the floor, and next to it, a brown
     paper bag and a Macy’s shopping bag. She kept her coat and gloves on, her chin
     down and her hands clasped, as if in prayer.
    The kerchief was pulled forward, which hid most of the face.
     Still, the figure was careful not to look up.
These days, they might even
     have security cameras in a chapel. Which makes it a fake chapel, right? Another
     modern trick of the devil.
    Only God watches in a truly sanctified place. So what I’m
     about to do will be alright.
    After ten minutes, the weeping man in front rose from his
     pew. Moved to the altar and knelt before it on both knees, crossing himself,
     then re-clasping his hands, weeping more.
    The figure kept her head bowed but raised her eyes; watched
     through narrowed slits.
Hurry up, fool. You’re wasting your time. Satan’s
     probably laughing his head off.
    The praying man was overweight. Groaned and cried and had a
     hard time hauling himself back to a standing position. Finally crossed himself
     again, and turned.
    The figure hunched further forward, as if in more intense
     prayer. Watched sideways as the man’s old shoes moved past, and waited till he
     was out the door.
    Now, quick. Nighttime’s full of weepers in hospitals.
    The figure picked up her purse, Macy’s bag, and brown paper
     bag. Both bulged.
    Moving slowly, head still bowed, the figure carried her bags
     to the altar. Then hesitated. If they had security cameras, there’d probably be
     one behind the altar, aimed out at the pews.
    That was okay. Precautions had been taken for that, too.
     Makeup could do the most amazing things.
    Sounds in the hall. Someone approaching or just passing
     by?
    Suddenly quick, the figure put the brown paper bag on the
     altar. Turned and moved back out a bit faster, head still down, body bent as if
     in pain.
    Moved like that through the hospital lobby, too. It was
     almost as busy as daytime. Patients coming in looking for the emergency room,
     crying relatives, doctors and nurses coming on or going off shift.
    Nice that the chapel was just off the lobby. Not so nice
     that security cameras would be out here for sure.
    Head down, the figure moved bent and stiffly to the street.
     Did not straighten until reaching two blocks away, and even then kept the
     kerchief pulled forward.
    Three blocks away, a trash can beckoned. Lose the black
     purse? No, keep it. It was an old plastic thing, bought in a thrift store like
     the coat, which would stay on for now. It was a moonless, gusty night with a
     cold rain starting.
    Good. Extra cover to get the next one! And this time
     REALLY kill. I have spoken with God. He said it was okay if they’ve
     relinquished their