34 / 194
28
official secret. Besides, what difference did it make whether
it was in a church or not. The main thing was that they
should be married by a priest. A church was just where
there was a priest. And she knew him after all. And the fact
that he was a welder, what of it? He was a priest. People
found themselves in various situations these days, even
priests. He had a surplice and stole, and a Bible, he kept
them in a suitcase, what could they be for other than to
perform services? He’d be sure to agree. He knew what
times were like. And he’d certainly keep their secret.
Because for the moment it had to be a secret. At most he’d
invite three or four of his closest friends. They wouldn’t
breath a word of it, he guaranteed. She shouldn’t invite
anyone from her side, not her father or mother, no one.
They agreed on a Saturday evening when the site would be
deserted, so no one would see it. A lot of people working on
the site would leave after work on Saturday to travel to
their families. The watchmen at the gatehouse would get a
bottle of vodka so they wouldn’t see anything or hear
anything. Just in case, he’d tell them it was his birthday.
They’d cover the window, the table would serve as an altar,
they’d cover it with a white cloth. He’d buy candles. It
would be good to have a crucifix, he didn’t know if the
Priest had one. Maybe she had one at home, she should
bring it. But she should make sure no one saw her. So she
did. Do you think she was being gullible? I doubt it. Desire
is stronger than suspicion.