Marriage Failing

“What’s wrong, Josef?” Mendoza asked after he got himself adjusted. Concern was etched on his face, “You said it was urgent.”

Ranell glanced mournfully out of his cabin window at the barest sliver of dull silver light on the horizon. This time of year, people above the arctic circle would go months without seeing a real sunrise. The darkness was an oppressive weight for his battered soul. “I think she’s leaving me.”

“Ah…” There was a long pause. Ranell had been discussing the state of his marriage with Mendoza for many months, so the bad news did not surprise him. “How bad is it this time?”

“We talked about having papers served at my office,” Ranell answered flatly. “But it’s not over. Not yet, anyway. I might still have a chance.”

“I know how important saving your marriage is to you, Josef.” The deep sympathy expressed by a man he trusted eased Ranell’s heavy burden.

“Thank you, Rafael.” Ranell typically addressed his friend as Monsignor. His use now of the priest’s first name was an instinctive reflex in response to genuine compassion. “But I can’t begin to do anything about it until I leave this dreadful place.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Mendoza’s eyes widened, and he nodded as if to force Ranell to finally acknowledge something so obviously true. “Your work is far too big a drain on you. Now you’re beginning to think about what is truly important. Life is short, Josef. It’s time you acted on those thoughts.”

Ranell knew that Mendoza considered divorce a sin. So, the priest’s next question didn’t surprise him.