Gabriel knew that that was what he needed. He hadn't confessed in some time, and surely the sin had been building up inside of him and festering there. But he had been reluctant to ask Father Brennan. He preferred to confess to a priest he was not working with. What was said in confession remained in confession, and the sin was done away with, yet it might still feel awkward. But when would he be able to travel to the next parish again, with how unwell he felt? And they hadn't had a visiting priest for some weeks.

He finally put the cloth in the bucket, suddenly feeling the cold of the water on his legs. He looked up at Father Brennan. "Perhaps, father, you would hear my confession. If it's convenient."