I woke up this morning after I had another dream.

Another dream?

Ive been having this recurring dream, I explain.

What kind of dream? He removes his hands and places them on the desk.

Well, Im having sexwith Tinaat least I think its TinaI mean I remember calling her namewell thenthen I look at who it isand itsits Candace.

Why do you think youre having this dream?

***** if I know. I reply before my mind kicks in. I look at him and his raise eyebrow. Tina does that same thing when I say something wrong. Im sorryI didnt mean to say that.

What DID you mean to say?

Im not suremaybe I DID mean to say it.

Look Bette, dont hold back on me. Ive heard bad language beforeand I also know that people try to hold their tongue in front of me because of the collar. Dont let the little white square fool you. I may be a priest, but Im still a man. I close my eyes and let out a sigh. I heard a phrase once thats stuck with me for some reason. It goes something like profanity is a sign of a weak mind trying to express itself forcefully.

Are you insinuating I have a weak mind, I ask playfully. His previous speech egged me on.

No, he heard the hint of a laugh in my tone and responded in kind. What Im saying is, now more seriously, when were angry, or hurtor just confused, our minds are working overtime to figure out whats going on. This overtime tends to ware on us and we become fatiguedor temporarily weak in a sense. I like the fact that you feel comfortable enough around me to say what you need to without thinking of holding back.

Even if my language gets bad?

Yes, it tells me that you dont think of me as a priest, but that you see me as a friend instead, he says leaning back in his chair again. Now tell me why you strayed outside your relationshipthat IS why youre having this dream after all, isnt it?

Yeah, I guess youre right.