“My pastor won’t even see me,â€? Liam begins on this session. “Nine years, never missing a Sunday. And now, I’m an abomination.â€?

“Aren’t we all?â€? The joke was meant to comfort Liam. He takes none from it.

“Easter is coming up.â€?

The irony is not lost on either of us. I put down my pen. I lean forward in my chair. “Liam, what do you believe?â€?

“I’m Catholic…â€?

I wave my hands. “That’s your religion. But what do you believe in? What is your role, your reason for being in this world?â€?

Liam stops pacing.

“I don’t know. To protect the McGees? CherryPop mostly.â€?

“That’s your job. Think bigger, Liam.â€?

Liam digs deeper. He actually sits on the edge of the chaise.

“I think,â€? he begins. “I believe… we’re here to serve God and Man…â€?

“Let’s go with that,â€? I say. “What makes you uniquely suited to do this?â€?

“I’m already dead, so I can’t be killed again. Something along those lines?â€?

“It’s a start, Liam.â€? I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Let’s talk about this some more next week.â€?