He could see the girl’s pupils. White.
“You’ve lived in the city long enough. Have you not noticed that women
don’t work? Their job is to care for the home and family.”
“I never thought about that,” Luke admitted.
“How are you doing, Karissa?” the priest asked. “I’ve brought some
friends.”
“I’m good,” Karissa answered.
Samantha sat up. She noticed the stranger in the room and the sock puppet
on his hand.
“Hello,” she said, glancing between Luke and the puppet.
“Hello,” Luke and Sock Puppet Jesus said in unison.
“Jinx,” the puppet said.
That made Karissa laugh.
“Hey, Karissa. I’m Jesus,” the puppet said, pulling Luke closer to her
bed. “Like Father Mason said, we’re friends.”
“Her vision is nearly gone,” the priest explained. “She can make out the
outline of a person but not much else.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” the puppet said, in a gentler tone than Luke
had ever heard from him. His voice sounded softer.
“I’m fine,” Karissa replied.
Samantha stood, staring at the puppet.
“It’s fine,” the priest reassured her. “These are good people.”
“People?” she said. “There’s only one person here.”
“I assure you,” the puppet said, “we are two separate people.”
The sock puppet pulled Luke even closer to the bed. He began humming