Part 1: The Night I Opened the Door

a bowl and set it in front of him. He held it like it might disappear.

He told me his name was James.

He didn’t say much else that night. Only that he’d lost his job. Then his home. Then his family. One bad turn after another, until there was nothing left to lose.

I let him sleep on my couch while the storm battered the house. I stayed awake longer than continue reading …