SIN AND DEATH IN SAINT'S CITY

at the new girl, and

ed to me what people meant when they sai

ced ahead at the grandfather clock. 4:28 PM. When the ten-to-fifteen seats were taken, Saint made

stirring in my stomach became mo

her gaze as Saint recounted his version of “the good life” etc., and soon I was drinking in all of her. Her grey eyes twinkled, a flickering light dancing

erked up a brow as if to say, your numbe

n’t give up on her just yet. At that exact time, Saint allowed us to introduce

e discussion to the day’s topic as he fished out some books from his fashionable school bag which looked like a traveling bag f

mes already,” Kelly complained, “God

the signs of adulthood i

-start today’s discussio

ng about it

d. “Grr, Sai

e in the way you go about things. You need to be more

me in class. Buy me a ticket to Africa so I ca

ose rites ar

chances,” Ke

llowing p

rrr

of a responsible adult, Kell

ly had all the qualities of a responsible adult. Still, Kelly was quiet for the rest

ound condescending because I understand that the blessings I enjoy may not extend to all of you, but having parents in high places does sort of have its advantages. I study hard, though. Wit

hile watching the screen of his phon

ed voice reserved for annoying teac

h on time. He put a little too much effort into it. We both attended St. Kek High. Drew harbored aspirations of becoming the CEO of Microsoft. He would attain the posi

ol, but he was hot enough to b

ut his loo

adlocks of his were exceptionally long, boasting a rich, dark hue that gleamed like a beacon e

en by a sole ambition—to

every verse word-for-word was a step in his journey to emulate the iconic rapper. His mastery of more than th

aine Thompson,” she said. Her voice was deep, clear, and faintly alluring. “I’m a student at Ho

n to achieve your d

e smiled. “For as

a student at St Kek High. I want to become a busin

ut; challenges were recounted followed by several more complaints; it was agreed that life just wasn’t fair; voices were raised;

nal

e wai

folks and people of color are concerned. In the university I aspire to attend, for instance, there’s an une

parents have already secured your spot at that school through their extensive connections. Unlike y

not my fault that my p

s pregnancy announcement. For as long as I can remember, the woman has always been in and out of rehab, barely holding it together. S

es

of his shirt before saying

ew were the only ones I talked to. Well, I also write letter

is: I don’t li

n. Waving my hand, Saint, beaming from ear to ear, promptly said, “Kyle!” He s

mean. You didn’t have to pray or work, let alone ask. Life handed you all this”—I made a sweeping gesture with my hands—“wealth and privilege. You might not have contemplated your life situation, or perhaps you have, but it’s likely dawned on you that you’re in a more advantageous position than many of your peers, especially t

just people of color but also certain individuals within the white community. These encounters have evolved into a kind of grimoire, s

’t the typical stolen-cookie frown; it had an unsettling intensity, much like the expression you wear w