“Thank you for seeing me,” he said, taking a seat.
He didn’t recognize me at first.
I leaned back in my chair.
“Sophomore chemistry was a long time ago, wasn’t it?” I said calmly.
Mark went pale. His eyes flicked to the nameplate on my desk and then to my face. I saw the hope die in his eyes.
“I… I didn’t know.” He stood abruptly. “I’m sorry to waste your time. I’ll go.”
“Sit,” I said.
My voice was firm, and he obeyed.
I saw the hope die in his eyes.
His hands trembled as he sat back down.
“I know what I did to you,” he said quietly. “I was cruel. I thought it was funny. But please… don’t punish her for that.”
“Your daughter?” I asked.
“Yes, Lily is eight and has a congenital heart defect. Surgery is scheduled in two weeks. I don’t have insurance or anything to cover it. I just… I can’t lose my daughter.”
