Free Eros Descending: Book 3 of Tales of the Velvet Comet by Mike Resnick

basic disagreement. I want to be the best man I can be. Your brother wants me to be perfect.”
    “The Word of God isn't subject to interpretation,” said Simon. “It's right there in the Bible in black and white. It may be a harsh and demanding Word, but it's God's Word nonetheless.” He looked directly into his father's eyes. “And the moment you start modifying it, or changing it out of expediency, then you have perverted what you stand for and made it meaningless.”
    “I can hardly argue with that,” agreed Gold. “It's the basis of my faith.”
    “Then why did you act contrary to it?” persisted Simon.
    “Because I'm not perfect,” said Gold. “Because I can fight Evil much more effectively once I know the shape and face of it. And because if I didn't fight it in my way, sooner or later you would fight it in yours , and it's my duty as a father and a Christian to spare you the pain.”
    “There's no pain involved in serving the Lord.”
    “If that were so, there would be no Velvet Comet or Vainmill Syndicate, and no one would ever ignore the cries of the sick and the hungry,” said Gold.
    “The path of righteousness is many things, but it is never easy.”
    “All the more reason not to knowingly stray from it,” said Simon.
    “Enough,” said Gold, and something in the tone of his voice seemed to startle his son.
    “As you wish,” said Simon. He paused. “Will Mother need any help setting the table?”
    “She's got some,” said Christina.
    Jeremy entered the room just then. “Grandmother says that we're almost ready,” he announced. “Hello, Uncle Simon.”
    “Hello, nephew,” said Simon. “Did you enjoy the zoo?”
    The boy nodded his head. “We're going to the aquarium tomorrow,” he said happily.
    “Have you ever been to one before?” asked Simon, feeling slightly awkward, as he always did when addressing children.
    The boy shook his head.
    “Neither have I. Let me know if you enjoy it.”
    “I will,” promised Jeremy. “And the day after, we're going to the video studio, and I'll see Grandfather give his speech.”
    “His sermon,” Simon corrected him.
    Jeremy began rattling off his agenda for the coming week, and a moment later Corinne reentered the room. “Jeremy, I thought I told you to bring everyone back with you.” She flashed a smile to her son. “Good evening, Simon.”
    Simon stared at her for a moment.
    “What happened to your hair?” he demanded at last.
    “I styled it for her,” said Christina.
    “Harlots style their hair,” said Simon. “Married women don't.”
    “ This married woman does,” Corinne replied.
    “ My hair is styled, too,” added Christina. “Are you calling me a harlot?”
    “You're wearing makeup, too, aren't you?” said Simon, ignoring his sister's comments.
    “Yes, I am,” his mother replied.
    “Leave her alone,” said Christina hotly.
    “Decent women don't paint their faces,” said Simon.
    “When I'm in the sanctity of my own home, I'll wear what I like,” said Corinne. “And before you start quoting what the Bible says about painted women, maybe you'd better reread what it says about addressing your parents with respect.”
    “I'm fully aware of what the Bible says on both subjects,” replied Simon. “Evidently you are not.”
    “That's enough, Simon,” said Gold ominously.
    “But you above all people should have forbidden this!” complained Simon.
    “It's not up to me to forbid it,” said Gold. “Your mother is a free agent. Besides, this is a very little thing, and it makes her happy—or at least it did until a minute ago.”
    “There is no such thing as a little sin,” said Simon. “Something is either sinful or it's not.”
    “But there is such a thing as free will,” said Gold. “And if this is what your mother wishes to do, then I support her right to do it.”
    “And you don't disapprove?”
    “I preferred it the old way,” said Gold. “So what?”
    “If you won't correct your own wife,