Read Online Back in the Habit by Alice Loweecey - Free Book Online Page B

through the empty vestry into its closet. This hall and cutting up the back stairs were the most direct way to her room. Not even Fabian should be in her rooms at this hour. Too much to micro-manage before the big day.
    But Fabian was in her room, the door closed. No—open just a crack. Talking to … Father Raymond. Giulia inched nearer to listen, not at all guilty about eavesdropping in the name of duty.
    Holy Mother of God.
    Giulia might be more naïve than Sidney, but she knew what the panting and grunting coming through the crack meant.
    Fabian, you deserve to be kicked out of here. Giulia’s conscience tried to make a case for humans giving way under loneliness or pressure or overwork. Shut up. It’s the same as cheating on your spouse. If you want to sleep around, get a divorce. Can you hear your own conscience, Fabian? You’re cheating on Christ. Time to petition Rome.
    She realized she was still standing too near Fabian’s room, the sounds rushing to their inevitable conclusion. A huge effort of will and sticking her fingers in her ears freed her to run upstairs.
    Safe in her room, the enormity of what Fabian and Ray were doing slammed into her. She stood in the center of her cell, her head filled with the sounds of Fabian’s and Ray’s skin slapping together behind that betraying door. Her breakfast threatened to come back up before she managed to push the knowledge to the back of her head. Only when she could control herself did she check her phone and read the text from Sidney.
    Mr D has info. Lunch tmw?
    Good, Giulia typed. Noon?
    A minute later: Mr D says ok. Whats it like???
    Giulia laughed—quietly. That last question was definitely from Sidney, not Frank. She couldn’t do justice to all of it in textspeak: the sheer number of Sisters, the minuscule rooms, the cavernous cellars, the personalities. And the forbidden sex. Mustn’t forget that. Guess what i just overheard? No. She was definitely not texting those words. Instead, she texted, Lots of stories for you soon.
    Giulia could almost hear Sidney’s disappointed groan. Even a few sentences from her was an antidote for these cell walls.
    â€œI need a dose of the real world. Why didn’t I listen to my inner imp and bring that Cosmo ? I could swear these narrow walls are trying to suffocate me.”
    She pulled at the veil around her head.
    â€œStop it. The walls aren’t moving. The veil’s not tightening around you like a vise. Quit thinking you’re the heroine in an Asian horror movie. This isn’t Ringu , it’s Community Theater Convent, complete with stock characters and a mad-scientist organ soundtrack. ” She shook her head hard, rattling the image of Ray and Fabian to a dark corner again.
    She paced the short, narrow space.
    â€œThis black lace underwear isn’t doing its job. Black was the wrong color—it’s nun-wear. Should’ve put on the jade green set.”
    The window rattled as she opened it. “Brr. Not going for a walk in this. All right, Falcone, make yourself useful and see what you can do for the Novices while you’re winning their confidence.”
    Her conscience murmured the word hypocrite .
    â€œNo. I like Sister Bartholomew. I want to ease her workload so she can get five minutes’ rest. And if I learn something at the same time, the good deed cancels out the sin.”
    She yanked open the door to escape herself and collided with two Sisters.
    â€œI’m so sorry! Are you all right?”
    One of them seemed familiar—yes, the little old nun from the library last night. She only looked startled now, rather than angry.
    â€œSnackar du svenska?”
    Giulia looked at her, then at the dark-haired Sister behind her.
    â€œGood morning, I’m Sister Theresa. Sister Arnulf is asking if you speak Swedish.”
    â€œI’m sorry, no.” Giulia shook her head at the small Sister.
    She nodded. “Du är ny