“Ohh..” I said. I knew he must feel afraid of meeting his friend’s dad.
He opened his eyes and continued. “I had introduced him to my mom, and mom was so happy that I had a friend. But we hadn’t told him about my past. I felt meeting his dad would.. terrifying. I told mom about it, and she said maybe it was time for me to try to know other grown-ups. Mom knew of his family, and she said that his dad wouldn’t do bad things to me. Mom didn’t force me, but I knew she was worried about me not being able to socialize freely.”
“Did he force you to meet his dad?” I whispered while looking at him, scared that his friend had forced him.
He shook his head slowly. “I told him that I was scared of meeting his dad. He knew I was scared, as I’d told you before. He had protected me from his friends, so he didn’t force me to meet his dad.”
I exhaled with relief. He really was a great friend.
