I give Samuel a small smile "My father taught me that encouraging a person at their worst is far more worth than praising them at their best."
Samuel smiles back at me, reassuringly. "Your father sounds to be a nice person."
"He is," I say, nodding at his words while looking down at my folded hands on my lap.
"What I was taught was that success was everything... If you are successful you are praiseworthy."
"Everyone is praised at their success but if a failure isn't encouraged, he may forever lose the courage to try again."
"I'm sorry. Anna told me about him... and I know part of you wants to do this for your father." He takes a sharp breath. "Sarah, you're a proud daughter. A very strong and admirable person, I am sure that your father feels the same way." I giggle, his words releasing me from tension and I look up from my plate to him. "That sound was new to me." The corner of his mouth lifts up into a grin.
"What sound?"
"Your laugh."
