All the Colors of the Dark

by Chris Whitaker

At ten years old he realized that people were born whole, and that the bad things peeled layers from the person you once were, thinning compassion and empathy and the ability to construct a future. At thirteen he knew those layers could sometimes be rebuilt when people loved you. When you loved.

“You are. We sense our own kind. Kids dealt a losing hand.

“Though it’s dark, I’ll always find you. Though you’re stronger than me, I’ll always make sure that you’re safe. To me, you’ll always come first.”

“God started the fire. And now he wants the credit for putting it out.”

“Art is feeling, nothing more. You know how to feel, Patch.” In a back

And I wonder what exactly a mistake is. A thing we should not have done, right? But if learning is built on trial and error there can be no mistakes, only rungs on a ladder to someplace better.”