Part 16

For what seemed like a long time James and I sat on the cold pavement huddled side by side. We listen quietly, respectfully as Norton began to talk. He looked sad as he began his story, as tiny white puffs of misty air escaped from between his lips with every word.
      I watched as Norton tugged at the thin, dirty blanket that covered the body sitting so close to him. Still I couldn't imagine why on earth he would be here in this cold isolated area. The darkness seemed to fold in all around us, the eerie glowing of the street lamps scattered here and there only adding to the mystery of the night.
     Several times during the telling of his plight I could feel my own sorrow swelling within my chest. James was sitting so very still beside me as he watched Norton intently as he spoke. Neither of us interrupted Norton as he began to explain his new life.
     What Norton was laying out for us more than surprise me and James; it totally caught us off guard. We had expected some sort of crazy story from him, but not the one he was telling.
     With one precise move Norton was about to change not only how James and I looked at our little community, but how each and every person, rich, poor, or like wise would see it from this moment onward.
     After tonight nothing would ever be the same in Wood Berry. But then again it shouldn't be.