2056

"Father Griffin returned to Vancouver, and to St James, an apparently changed man.  We had a very emotional reconciliation at the altar rail in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and eventually he became sort of my de facto spiritual director,  I was caring for the dying, then dad died..." "Yes, I remember when you told me on Facebook.  That was very hard news for me, because Jim was like my own brother." "Which would make you my de facto uncle.  hmm, we seem to have our share of de factos today."  It is a narrow entrance into a narrow forest trail, partly fenced off to prevent bicycles.  The trees are dense here, and the shade is refreshing.  "Anyway, Robert took a pastoral interest in me and could see that I was running on empty.  He was already involved with Carl's family and the operations of their mansion, which they had decided to turn into a retreat centre." "So you were recommended for a retreat...Hey, look, ripe salmonberries already and it's still May  Oh, these are delicious, here I've left you some."  and they are.  Our own answer to the raspberry, a bit milder, more watery, but I also remember picking bucketfuls, then bringing them home and Dad making them into one of the most exquisite jellies I had ever tasted. "So Carl fell in love with you there and now you two are living happily ever after." " Not quite." "Do you sleep together?" "Never." "Dude, he has eyes only for you.  I will help keep him at bay.". I am saying nor doing anything to encourage this.  "He asked me to marry him, a couple of weeks ago." "and..." "Said I'm not ready." "Do you love him?" "Well, yes and no." "but not like THAT!" and now we are both laughing. "He is very good looking", say I. "That he is. "but we are both off sex.  I would say that we are both asexual now. So what's the point?"