The Priest by Monica La Porta

green grass from the patch stretching out at the
excavation’s edge. “Chew the mint and then apply it on your hand.
The day past tomorrow, you won’t remember you cut yourself.”
    Mauricio took the handful of what Grey had
called mint and chewed on it, as asked. He liked the taste of the
mint; it cleansed his mouth, and the smell of the chewed mush went
through his nose and straight to his lungs. He gingerly put the
mint on the cut skin of his hand. At first, he felt a pang of pain,
but after a moment, he felt better.
    “It works every time,” Grey commented
proudly.
    “Thanks,” Mauricio said while turning the
hand sideways, still trying to keep the chewed mint on it.
    “Now, back to work. If you can’t hold the
shovel—”
    “No, I’m fine. I can work. I promise.” Heavens forbid I get introduced to another living soul
today... Trying to remember all the names was becoming
increasingly harder. I never thought to admit something like
this… but I just discovered I don’t dislike being alone that
much. Maybe he was already too old to get acquainted with
humanity.
    “Okay, but you can’t slack; otherwise, I'll
have to ask Arias to get you reassigned somewhere else.”
    “I won’t give you any reason to consult
Arias on my behalf.” Mauricio tried his best formal speech, and it
worked. Grey didn’t threaten him a second time and let him work
with his crew for the whole shift.
    When, at the end of the day, the van came
back to pick him up, Mauricio could barely think, intent on nursing
little wounds and a nasty scratch. Leander had reserved a seat for
him, and Mauricio was touched by the gesture.
    “You’re red after the whole day under the
sun without protection,” Leander commented as soon as Mauricio sat
down beside him.
    “Is that why my skin’s so itchy?” Mauricio
wanted to scratch himself, but Leander stopped his hands with a
laugh.
    “I told you so! Maybe there’s something here
for irritated skin.” He rummaged inside the multitude of pockets on
his jacket. “You never know when even the silliest things will come
in handy,” he said, pulling out a small container. While showing
Mauricio the tiny jar, he said, “It’s an ointment; put it on your
face later. Otherwise, you won’t be sleeping tonight.”
    “Thanks, again.” Mauricio took the jar and
absentmindedly played with the lid.
    It seemed to Mauricio that the trip back
took even less time than it had in the morning. He enjoyed the
short walk on the brick trail and breathed in the aromatic scent
created by twisting several blades of grass between his fingers. He
reached the cafeteria and got in line with Leander and the rest of
the passengers of the van. They were the last ones to arrive, but
Mauricio was relieved to see that there was some food left. Leander
waved at Arias, who was sitting at a table with some other men.
Mauricio waved too.
    “There’s some commotion tonight,” Leander
said, once seated at an empty table with his tray full of food.
    Mauricio gave a distracted look around, but
he didn’t know what passed for normal around here. He was more
interested in eating what he had put on his plate while it was
still warm. At the Temple, though he had regular meals, his food
was already cold when it reached his cell. He had never eaten with
other people until his breakfast here, and he had all the
intentions of enjoying his dinner now. He didn’t care to hear about
commotions or problems in general.
    “Yes, there’s definitely something going
on.” Leander wasn’t eating. He had his fork dangling from his right
hand and was looking, no, staring, at Arias.
    Mauricio finished his food and regretted
immediately not having taken more. The kitchen had closed soon
after they had arrived, and now he was craving another helping of
potatoes. He had never thought that potatoes, while still hot from
the oven, could be so soft and tasty. Mauricio thought of only one
thing he wanted more than a good meal, but it was impossible