| 115 | Sinner's Penance

[ D O M I N I C O ]

It's empty. Too quiet. Too much silence for what I'm about to do.

But this is better than walking alongside a crowd of strangers who, like me, don't want to be bothered. I switch my phone to vibrate and step inside the parish.

The place looks different. Older, but not falling apart. It's dim and cool. I almost smile at the hints of scented candles and incense. They remind me of my mom's house.

Rest in peace, Mom...

I make the Sign of the Cross. I used to be an altar boy here—back when this was my sanctuary from my family issues. Just being here, staring at the old stones and tall statues of saints and angels, stir memories I haven’t touched in years.

This is probably the most important step I gotta take before I can heal fully. Before I can move on and change my path for the better. Practically a full reset. Then I can finally get my shit together.

Be a better person. Be a better man. Someone with a real purpose.

I head towards the confessionals. Someone