Chapter 26
Saturday morning, Xavier sat on the tiny front porch of Jackie’s house, drinking instant coffee, and slowly waking up. The morning dew was cool on his bare feet, but he didn’t mind the cold. The sun showered the orange and red tree leaves with golden light and he lit up a cigarette, feeling serene for the first time in a month. The street was quiet, except for a small group of neighborhood kids playing hockey in colorful sweaters.
Xavier watched them. They were beautiful. He wished the world could see them as they were. Not to be pitied or revered, but simply to be seen and allowed to exist for all of creation.
Behind him, the door opened with a creak and Xavier turned to see his father standing in the doorway in his tattered black pajamas. “You’re gonna catch a cold out here
