Lorien: A Short Story

I find myself dozing off during Mass but then chide myself. How can I be so wretched and unholy as to slumber in the presence of the Lord? As Mass closes, in unison all of the nuns and girls recite the Holy Prayer– “En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. Amén” (Lore 12). I stay back hoping to see Marina and talk to her about joining the convent since she is approaching 18. She rushes out of the church; off to paint, or search the internet. My vision becomes distorted and blurry when tears slowly roll down my cheeks. “Oh, niña amable, niña bonita, for over ten years I have cared for you and soon…” (Lore 10). I go to kneel in front of the statue of the Lord, and I ask him to watch over Marina in ways that I cannot. The high collar of my robe collects my fresh tears as I weep. …show more content…
The thought of Lorien makes a new wave of sadness rush over me. This time it is a more resolute kind of sadness. I chide myself yet again; I can no longer think of Lorien. I need to focus and what is here. The convent is here, a family is here, a chance at life is here. Lorien is an unattainable dream– an unrealistic goal (Lore 52). These words feel sour in my head, but I think them anyway. I can not put Marina through this. I can not have her clinging onto the hope that Lorien has a future. It is just a dead, wasteland, poor-excuse for a planet. Again the sour feeling fills my head, and I fall down at the feet of the