Chapter 76

“What?”

“Are you sure that’s your plan?”

Xavier shot his father a quick look. “I like Montreal, Dad. In many ways, I like the anonymity of the city. And yeah, sometimes it’s hard dealing with people’s ignorance, but I figure, maybe instead of shutting myself off to them, I could try to educate some of those jerks, once in a while.” He cracked a smile. “You know what I mean?”

“I know exactly what you mean.” Pierre leaned back in his seat, watching him again. “Now…there’s a name you haven’t spoken out loud in weeks and though you won’t say the name, this house hears it. This whole place is filled with it.”

“No.” Xavier straightened in his chair and cleared his throat.

“No? And why not? Hm? Talk to me.”

“I can’t.”

“Can’t what?”

“Say his name.” Xavier sighed out loud and looked away at the dark window. On the other side of the river, was home. But home wasn’t a place. It was a blue-eyed man with a smile that made everything real and beautiful.