X: “You’re not Catholic.”
Me: “Nope.”
X: “But you’re restoring a rosary.”
Me: “More like making a new one from a salvaged part.”
X: “That you’re not going to keep.”
Me: “Right.”
X: “And you’re not going to sell.”
Me: “I can’t even ask for payback on the materials in good conscience.”
X: “So, you’re being compelled.”
Me: “… No.”
X: “[Weaver], the only one with a bigger chip on their shoulder against Christianity than you is Satan. And that’s because it’s his job! You’re being compelled. Maybe not with a cattle prod, but you are certainly being… guided.”
Me: “I’ll concede that the crucifix has softened my heart some. There is something powerful and humbling in a loved relic. And that’s what this is. A holy relic. I would be evil to throw it away after seeing that. Just so happens it is a Catholic relic. I would do the same if it were from any other faith.”
X: “But it’s not any other faith.”
Me: “What the fuck is your problem? If it is the cost I’ll just point out that fast food costs more and I can use the leftover beads to make charms to sell. If it is the religion, I have already made my peace with key players and am at a truce with the more volatile ones. I can’t see them shitting bricks because I’m working to increase someone’s faith. I’ve been taking care of other things in the interim, so nothing has suffered from lack of attention. So just what the flying fuck is your problem?”
X: “You’re being used.”
Me: “You think there is something in the crucifix? Something nefarious?”
X: “No. Yes. Fuck. I don’t know.”
Me: “I do. Yes, I’m being used. You’re probably right about me being compelled, or at the very least nudged. Yes, there is something in the crucifix that wants to be part of a complete rosary again. But no, it’s not evil, not parasitic, and not harmful. It’s a guardian without a charge to watch over. I’m going to fix it up so it can get back to work. What’s the damn problem?”
X: “Well, since you’re aware of its effect on you, I guess there isn’t a problem now. I’ll leave you be.”
~~~
And that’s when I realized I was dreaming. Never did figure out who was giving me shit about making the rosary.