Leo Visits His Father
Chapter 15 - Leo Visits His Father
Adrian’s first prison visit frightened Leo.
Metal doors closed too loudly. Guards searched his backpack. The visiting room contained plastic chairs bolted to the floor.
Adrian wore a plain uniform.
Without the suit, SUVs, and bodyguards, he looked less like the man from the parking lot and more like someone’s tired father.
Leo placed the red toy car on the table.
“I fixed the wheel.”
Adrian smiled.
“Your mother helped?”
“No. I read the instructions.”
They spoke about school, nightmares, and the fact that classmates had seen news stories.
One child called Leo a mafia prince.
“What did you say?” Adrian asked.
“That princes don’t take the bus.”
Adrian laughed.
Then Leo asked whether men in prison respected him.
Adrian answered carefully.
“Respect built from fear disappears when the door locks behind you.”
“What kind stays?”
“The kind you earn when no one has to obey.”
Leo thought about that.
Before leaving, he pressed his hand to the glass.
Adrian matched it.
May you like
The parking-lot embrace had been instinct.
This relationship would be built through repetition.
