A Matter of Faith
Joeseph has issues with the matters of religion and his identity; both as a gay man and a vampire.
Chapter 1
Joeseph wandered towards the staff room, his thoughts wandering to the handsome stranger he had unfortunately gotten stuck in an elevator for hours with earlier that week who he also happened again upon by accident the other day. Joeseph walked briskly to the coffee machine, only tuning into his surroundings when he heard a colleague talking very loudly about her church. He cringed and clenched his jaw. Any mention of religion annoyed him. It was a sensitive topic for him, reasonably so... He purses his lips and busies himself making coffee, tuning out the conversation behind him, until he unwillingly got roped into it.
"Joeseph! Dear, come over here for a moment!" Joeseph sighs, turning to face the bright, smiling woman who was beckoning him over. He grabs his full coffee mug, stepping over to stand beside the rather short woman. She bounces on her heels a bit, her curly black hair bouncing. She touches Joeseph's arm, "We were just talking about church, dear! Which one do you go to?"
Joeseph sighs, sipping his coffee before responding, "No offence, Beth... I'm not keen on Christianity at all..." He pauses, seeing her crest-fallen face, "With reason... I'm Jewish... Or was... I lost touch with it, and the nearest synagogue is all the way in Victoria. I was forced into Catholicism as a teenager."
One of the other men in the group perked up, "Jewish? So am I! What movement?"
Joeseph looks puzzled, "Movement? Uh... I don't know. I guess I grew up Orthodox. Doesn't exactly line up with my life anymore, seeing as I'm a gay man..."
The man nods as he listens, then smiles, "I'm Reform... We are incredibly welcoming community. I'd love another familiar face there, to be quite honest."
Joeseph hesitates, "I... I suppose it wouldn't hurt. I should speak with one of the rabbi's privately before I commit."
The man nods in understanding, smiling brightly at Joeseph, "Of course! I'll set up a time with you later for us to go to the synagogue... Probably best if I give you a ride."
Joeseph nods in agreement, sipping his coffee.
The conversation carries on, however, out of politeness, Joeseph doesn't leave. He tunes it out, his mind wandering to that cop he encountered earlier, amusing himself of thoughts to 'get arrested'.