Page 136 of I Can't Even Think Straight

---

“Vass seems to be enjoying themselves,”

I tell Obi, nodding my head toward Vass.

They’re getting on with The Coven

like a house on fire,

which is what this might be

if they knock over

the candles they’re lighting.

“What are they doing now?

Are they casting a spell?”

I ask Obi, to change the subject

and lighten the mood.

“I don’t know,” Obi sulks.

He crosses his arms with a childish shrug.

He’s disappointed

I’ve changed the subject.

I decide to tell him what I’m thinking.

“Listen, Obi,” I whisper, quieter than before.

“Here’s the tea: Matt’s a bit of a hypocrite

when it comes to his religion.

He uses it as an excuse to avoid things

and get out of certain situations.

He picks and chooses what matters to him.

It’s not for me to judge him

but, as you can hear, I struggle not to.

I wanted Matt to get on with your friends, too.

But Matt’s not someone I can have

any fixed expectations of.

If Matt and I are gonna stay friends,

I have to try to love and accept him

for all his contradictions.”

---