Chapter 13
Jefferson had never been so alone on the eve of Christmas. He had certainly spent the holiday by himself, more than once since his mother passed on. But he had never been so acutely aware of his isolation. He felt his separation from the rest of the village, from God, from Micah. It was an actual ache behind his eyes and between his shoulders. He had been invited to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Reverend Deem, but Jefferson had refused the invitation without thought. He felt it was best to remain isolated. He was not fit for company.
The pot of porridge he planned for his supper bubbled pleasantly over the fire. As he watched the surface swell and burst, he couldn’t help but think of Micah. He had never mentioned it to Micah, but Jefferson had been invited to a fu
