"It was only ever my mother who pushed. I think my father wanted so badly for me to be like him." Gabriel shakes his head. Maybe it's unfair to say that of his father, because there had been times that he tried, and he should appreciate those. Sill, most of a childhood spent feeling out of place couldn't be saved by a few memories of acceptance.

"My mother wanted to brag about one of her sons. She was tickled when she thought I might yet become a priest." Gabriel shrugs. "As it was, I managed to get into university and I just wanted to leave."