Elijah's smile faded. "I.. was raised Catholic. And I attended a lot as a child but.. after my parents and other things.. I didn't know any more. I felt like God has marked me as cursed and unloved  Maybe that is still true." He laughed painfully and coughed again. "But I no longer blame him. It just happened and it's up to me how I deal with it... And I'm glad I changed my mind. " He looked at him then away. "You're a good priest. You've helped more more than you know."

Gabriel looked down, not sure how to deal with that. Many people said he was a good priest, and it felt particularly good coming from this man. But that also bothered him. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I'm sorry those hardships kept you away for so long. I wish I had answers as to why those things happen..."

"I have my own ideas now... God puts us here and he will reward us based on the choices we make. As long as I believe in him .." He shrugged. Elijah drank the rest of his water and sighed. "I must be boring you though and others need you more than me. If you want to go, I won't bear any hard feelings. If  you wish to stay i feel like I should offer you something for your time.."

"For our choices, yes, but there is also mercy when we make bad decisions and come round..." He said. "You needn't offer me anything. I am here to help. But let me go to pray vespers and then I will be back and bring over some soup. How is that?"

Elijah looked relieved and happy. "Thank you. There is so little I want that He wouldn't agree to. I can only thing of maybe one of two things. So i like to believe he sees me fondly for my choices..."

He waved slightly. "I would like that. But do take your time. I don't want you to feel required to be here. You have done so much already.." He certainly could just watch him for hours not that he would admit it.

He knew what those things were, but he acted like he didn't. "I'll be back, Mr. Crane. And don't worry about it. Just rest." And with that, he left.

Elijah waved and when the man would return he was fast asleep once more.

There was indeed a knock. But it was Rose who poked her head around the door.

Elijah slowly stirred as he woke. He smiled, hiding any disappointment. "Rose. how are you? Is word being spread that I'm on my death bed?" He joked weakly and coughed.

Rose entered and closed the door behind her. It was her free day, so after church, she had gone home to see where she could help. "Some people said you hadn't been in for work for a few days, so we assumed you were sick. Father asked me to check on you and bring you some food."