Then Daniel asked Emma whether she’d ever heard why I used to hate having my picture taken.
I told her about a boy I’d dated as a teenager who criticized my teeth and made me ashamed of my smile. For years, I’d covered my mouth whenever I laughed, even after we’d broken up.
Daniel took my hand.
“I always thought your smile was the best thing about you,” he said.
Emma smiled, but Tyler grew quiet.
Daniel simply remarked that one person’s opinion could stay with us long after that person stopped mattering. Then the conversation moved on.
After Tyler left, Emma admitted he hadn’t apologized. Daniel told her she could decide whether to talk to him and encouraged her to explain how his words had made her feel.
A few days later, Emma revealed something surprising. Tyler had eczema on his arms, and boys on his basketball team had mocked him for it for months. He wore long sleeves to hide his skin.
