This post is rated PG. Reader discretion advised The more we are filled with thoughts of lust, the less we find true romantic love. -Douglas Horton ------------- The routine had become painfully familiar. Whenever thoughts of Tricia consumed him beyond reason, David sought refuge in the same shameful ritual. The only thing he had come to resent was the relentless voice that refused to leave him alone—the calm, unwavering voice of Ada's parish priest. It had started simple enough.  Ada, aware of his internal struggles, had suggested suggested he seek spiritual guidance from her parish priest. The idea amused David at first, mostly because she knew he wasn't a religious man. The last time he had stepped inside a church had been for a funeral, where he had spent the entire service feeling like an outsider. But Ada refused to let the matter rest.