Chapter 7 - JULIAN MERCER
I met Julian by accident.
Peterson Tech held an alumni and employee charity event nearly a year after Derek’s termination.
Julian attended with a different company.
He recognized me.
I recognized him.
For a second, both of us became uncomfortable.
Then he said:
“You’re Derek’s brother.”
“Yes.”
“Sorry.”
I laughed softly.
“You don’t need to apologize.”
He smiled.
“I’ve heard that a lot in therapy.”
Good.
We spoke privately near the lobby.
“I want you to know something,” he said.
“What?”
“I didn’t quit only because of Derek.”
I waited.
“My mom died.”
“I heard.”
“She was sick for a long time.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.”
He looked toward the event hall.
“Derek was awful that day.”
Silence.
“But the reason I reported it later was because someone else told me he’d done the same thing to them.”
I nodded.
“I didn’t want the next person thinking they were just weak.”
That line hit.
“You weren’t.”
“I know now.”
He smiled faintly.
“Mostly.”
Then he surprised me.
“I heard about your son.”
My stomach tightened.
“How?”
“Office gossip after Derek accused you of retaliation.”
Of course.
Julian continued.
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“He did the same thing, didn’t he?”
“What?”
“Decided comfort makes people weak.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Julian looked down.
“My mom used to say comfort is what gives you enough strength to go back out.”
I thought of Lucas and Mr. Bamboo.
A stuffed panda did not make him weak.
It made bedtime safer.
That was different.
Julian left after a few minutes.
No grand testimony.
No dramatic friendship.
Just one more person whose life proved Derek’s philosophy did damage beyond our backyard.
That evening I told Lucas something.
“Comfort doesn’t make you weak.”
He looked up from his book.
“I know.”
Of course he did.
May you like
I was the one still learning.
---
