On to Chapter Seven...

Squeegee kids at Queen and Spadina in Toronto, 1996. 

Hanging out at Future Bakery, used cd stores, goth clothing stores, all the amazing vintage clothing stores. So many old greasy spoons where one could procure a $6 pitcher of beer. Speakers Corner and Electric Circus! More clubs and live music bars that covered every genre of music you could think of all the way to Trinity Bellwoods.

Adam's in Toronto and not liking it. Too cold, thanks to the wind coming in off the lake, and too busy thanks to all the construction and people bustling about. Also, everything is in English, first, not as much French. He sets himself up in a youth hostel and works out how to get around, and is realizing he can control his life, if he's careful.

He's rebuilding his world after losing everything. Family. Friends. Home. Shelter. His books. His journal. Everything but the clothes on his back and a book in his hand that's water-damaged. But he's also finding out just how strong he is.

Some of what he lost cannot be replaced, but what matters is he no longer has anyone in control over him. He's his own person. One thing I need to keep in mind is, he's still sixteen so some things he cannot do. And I don't want him to come across as prematurely adult.

But he's also scarred by his parents and brother rejecting him, so he's lived through something few boys have to deal with. He learns early on he has only himself to rely upon. That alters you.

I think this whole part of Adam's life is to establish how feral a creature he is, and how connecting with Dair...and having Dair love him...and growing to love Dair and others surrounding them bring his back to humanity. Decency and love for others.

I guess. I'm not sure, yet. I just know it's going in the right direction, for now...