All the Colors of the Dark

by Chris Whitaker

“I just wanted to show you that sometimes things survive despite the harshest of odds.”

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.

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.”

If you learn from the times you go wrong, you can revel in the times you don’t.”

“We’re all reaching, Saint. Some people stand on others. Some people give you a boost when you need it.

“When it comes to marriage, love is merely a visitor over a lifetime. Respect and kindness, they are the true foundations.

“People talk about one life…one chance. But I reckon a single life is made up of a dozen or more roles and responsibilities. I can count the versions of myself like friend and foe. Mistakes are the detours that remind you of the true way, Saint. To love and be loved is more than can ever be expected, more than enough for a thousand ordinary lifetimes.”

“The bad are the few, but often they shout louder than the many. Don’t mistake silence for weakness.”

Right then mammatus clouds sagged like pockets of rainfall, the framing sky detonated like it could no longer hold blue.

The days since had robbed her of something vital. Thoroughly beaten, she looked a woman who had outlived her child.

To face the past is to momentarily turn your back on what is now. And when you do that, you miss so damn much.”

“Time changes our ability to view the things that hurt us.” “But not the pain.” “No. Not the pain.”

To love and be loved was more than could ever be expected, more than enough for a thousand ordinary lifetimes.