The office was quiet except for Peter's ragged breathing.
I believed him. Every instinct I had screamed that this broken boy was telling the truth, that his fear and shame were too raw to fake.
"Marcus is outside," I said quietly. "You're going to tell him exactly what you told me. You're going to let him decide if he wants this gift for his daughter. And Peter, next time you want to do something kind, you ask directly. You don't follow people. Even with good intentions, that's threatening behavior."
"I know. I know and I'm sorry. I just don't know what normal looks like anymore." He looked so young, so lost. "Everything I learned to grow up was wrong. I'm trying to figure out how regular people act, but I keep messing up."
Marcus came in, having heard everything through the door. His
