(no subject)

"Mark, I don't understand why you do these things."

"It's not something I did, Mom, it just kind of happened."

"Your father was in college for four years, and he never became Anathema. I never became Anathema. Even your brother isn't Anathema."

"Mom..."

"It's those friends of yours. I always told you they were bad for you."

"My friends haven't got anything to do with me being Anathema, Mom. Like I said, it just sort of happened. And I prefer the term 'exalt.'"

"You know very well that you aren't an exalt. You're Anathema. That's the trouble with you, Mark. You never take responsibility for yourself. What does Abby think about this?"

"Abby doesn't mind, Mom."

"Oh, sure she doesn't."

"Don't start in on Abby, Mom."

"I won't. She's a wonderful girl. She's not Anathema. Why couldn't she be a better influence on you?"

"Mom..."

"We shouldn't have sent you away to college. You weren't ready. I should have realized."

"Mom..."

"I'm going to take that thing, that daiklave of yours, and I'm going to throw it away."

"Mom, you can't lift it."

"And how are you going to get into HUC like this?"

"I don't glow all the time, Mom, and I don't think HUC will mind."

"Are you sure?"

"I can check their web page."

"You do that."

"I will."

"And don't think this means you shouldn't call."

"I'll call, Mom, I promise."