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"Faith is my pillar," Debra insisted. "I don't think that it's right of Jennifer to co-opt something that means so much to me, and meant so little to her."
"It seems to me like it means a lot to her now," Ray said with shrug. He didn't see the big deal. They were Catholic, and so was Jennifer. She was just a super Catholic, a level of faith that Ray had never wanted to attain. "I mean, we all share the same faith, right? Just because Jennifer wants to become a nun, doesn't mean that your faith is any less your pillar."
"I don't expect you to understand." She began to brush her hair as she continued to speak. "I just feel cheated. I've spent my entire life trying to--"
"Trying to what? Be a better Catholic? I mean, come on, Deb, no one's saying that you're unfaithful. I'm saying that I don't want to go without sex in perpetuity because your sister has decided to become a nun." He pulled a face at the thought. "Now, if you're saying you want to ditch the pill, well, sure, I won't say no to that."
Debra paused. "You're right. It would make me a better Catholic. Wouldn't it?"
"Sure, whatever you say," he drawled. "I'd take it that you'd like me to pick up some condoms on my way home from work?"
She shook her head. "No. She's doing this to prove a point, and I won't let her win. We don't need contraception, Ray. The twins are old enough. We can expand our family, and my parents will like me more again. I mean, and we can be secure in our faith."
"So this isn't about your parents liking Jennifer more?" Ray asked. "This is about being secure in our faith?"
Debra beamed. "Of course. That's what's most important. I mean, you don't mind, do you, Ray?"
"Mind what? Having another kid? Why do I care? You're the one who was always hesitant, which I respected! Just like I'll respect this." Ray was an idiot, but not that dumb. He knew better than to turn down an opportunity for sex. "Always a fan of maintaining the faith."
"Good, then you can come to church with us tomorrow."
Ray swallowed his sigh. "With your sister? The nun? I don't want to Mass with a nun!"
"I think that it will be nice, Ray, for us all to go as a family," she told him. "Not just my sister, because, I agree, it's awkward. I mean the two of us, the kids, maybe even your parents?"
"You want my parents to go to church with a bride of Christ?" Ray squeaked. "I know you're mad at her, Deb, but that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Don't you want the kids to behave in church?"
"Of course, Ray."
"And you think that my parents attending with us will help with that? No. I'll go with you. But I won't with them."