He doesn’t get to decide your future.

And I am not looking for a reason to stop caring for you.’

We met with the principal and made a plan.

Lucas would apologize for pushing, and the school would address the teasing.

Dr.

Ortiz helped him practice what to say when he felt cornered.

We also worked on giving him choices that were appropriate for his age, because control over small things made the bigger uncertainties a little less frightening.

At home that evening, he stood beside the sink while I washed vegetables.