He had spent his life being underestimated because his speech and hearing were different.

He knew that correcting every rude person was exhausting and usually pointless.

A well-kept record, he said, could be more useful than a sharp reply.

That afternoon Colton called from an unfamiliar number.

I did not answer.

He left a message saying I could come home if I apologized for turning a private disagreement into a police matter.

Then his tone hardened.

“My father knows people who can make life very uncomfortable for your uncle.