The cathedral was a magnificent gothic-style church with many side altars. It could accommodate at least one thousand worshipers. Jim sat in one of the small alcoves, in front of an altar with a statue of St. Catherine surrounded by lighted candles emitting their beeswax fragrance. He breathed deeply, relaxing. This was his secret place for meditating.
After twenty years of working at the firm, Jim had been let go, and his prospects for another lucrative sales job were not promising. His wife, Susan, complained constantly of her inability to spend large amounts of money on herself, and refused to look for a job to help tide them over. It was a bleak time. Jim sought solace in his faith and came here every day to pray and ask for guidance.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jim noticed a woman approaching the altar. Her step was graceful, and the light through the stained glass window shone on her light brown hair and illuminated a kind profile. She knelt and lit a candle, then rose after a few minutes and began to walk away. Jim was stunned by the magnificence of her body encased in what looked like a very expensive dress. The woman smiled demurely as she passed by him.
Every day for a week, this same woman came to light her candle, pray, and walk away. On the seventh day, Jim turned to watch her as she entered a confessional. But there was no light above to indicate that a priest was inside. He was fascinated by the woman's behavior and decided to investigate.