Leo had spent three days arranging the meeting. Phone calls to Dr. Simmons. Texts to Derek's probation officer. Conversations with Javier's parents. Everyone agreed: it was time. Derek and Javier needed to sit in the same room, face to face, with no letters, no texts, no intermediaries.
The meeting was set for Saturday morning, 10 AM, in Leo's office. Neutral ground. Small room. No audience.
Javier arrived at 9:45. He sat in the chair across from Leo's desk, his knee bouncing, his hands folded in his lap. He wore his practice jersey—Leo didn't know if that was intentional or not.
“You okay?” Leo asked.
“No.”
“Good. Honesty is the first step.”
Javier looked at him. “What's the second step?”
“Talking. Listening. Trying to understand.”
Derek arrived at 10 AM exactly. He stood in the d
