I could not suppress a smile. “No, it won’t hurt. I’ll have to ask you a few questions and take your confession before I can baptize you. Are you OK with that?”
She nodded. Some of the customers were now bending an ear to listen to what the crazy priest was saying to the pretty young woman.
I looked into her eyes and asked. “Clare, are you sorry for your sins? For things you have done in the past which may have hurt others or otherwise not been acceptable to God?”
She nodded.
“You have to say it with your mouth, Clare.”
She nodded again. “Yes, I am sorry for all the awful shit I’ve done during my wretched life and for everyone I’ve hurt. For the baby I kil…” She began to weep as she spoke. “For the baby I killed.” She continued to sob. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
I traced the sign of the cross on her forehead. Then I realized I did not have water, so I grabbed the glass of water from one of the patrons. “Excuse me,” I said to the man at the nearest table.
“Hey!”
I traced the sign of the cross on Clare’s forehead. “Your sins are forgiven. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.” As I lifted the glass to pour water over her head. I realized, I did not know her last name.
“What is your last name Clare?”
“McLamb,” she whispered.
I lifted the glass and poured the water on her head. “I claim you for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
I put down the glass just as demon waiter rushed up to me and grabbed my arm. “You can’t do that! What do you think this is, a church?”