"What are you doing here, Joe?"
He looked at me with pain in his eyes.
"I don't know, Aaron. This existence, if you can call it that, doesn't seem to be what was promised.
"Promised?"
"You know, heaven, pearly gates etc."
"Pearly gates??" I replied, incredulous. "You never really believe that crap, surely?"
"Take it easy, my friend. I'm hurting here."
I regretted the outburst, suddenly realising what it must be like for someone like Joe, faithful believer for so long, to end up in this place.
"I'm really sorry," I replied.
He took hold of my arm. "Don't worry about it. It is really good to see you."
