“Yes.”

“Then why would he make me feel the same way?”

I sighed.

“Sometimes people who feel embarrassed or insecure make poor decisions because they’re afraid of becoming a target. That doesn’t excuse what he said.”

Emma nodded.

“It’s still unfair.”

“It is.”

She sat quietly for a moment.

“Then I want to ask him why.”

That weekend, Tyler called and asked whether he could visit.

Emma agreed on one condition: Daniel and I needed to be home.

When Tyler arrived, he looked nervous.

We sat in the living room, with Emma and Tyler facing us.

Our daughter had asked us to stay for support, but she wanted to lead the conversation herself.

“Tyler, can I ask you something?”

He nodded.

“Did you actually think there was something wrong with my arms?”

He looked down.

“No.”

“Then why did you say they looked like a boy’s?”