I grabbed one of the donuts and took a man-sized bite. “No, much worse. I was mean to his idol, Nash.”
“The drama from yesterday?” she questioned.
“Yes. Jace thinks I was mean to Nash.”
“Because he taught Jace to box?” she asked.
I nodded. “He glorified the violence.”
She groaned. “You’ve been listening to too many podcasts. Trust me, I’m a therapist. A high-five isn’t quite the same as what those well-meaning people are referring to. Don’t you think Nash could have been praising Jace for standing up to a bully?”
“Yes, but still, I don’t like the idea of Jace hitting first and talking later.”
“I agree,” she said. “But in this case, I think I’m glad Nash showed Jace how to hit. Those kids have been picking on our kids for too long. One of these times, it is bound to get one of them really hurt. I hate that Jace had to do it, but I’m so glad he did. Caitlyn was really scared. No child should have to be afraid to be in school.”
“I agree, but I don’t want Jace thinking this is the only way to solve problems like this,” I told her.
I debated how much I should tell her. Digging up my past was not a pleasant activity. Digging up Nash’s past was even less fun.
“I think you are still the biggest influence in his life. You can explain things to him, and I have no doubt in my mind he would listen to you. Jace is a good boy. He is not going to turn into a bully overnight because of this one event. He did something that I hate to say it, but I think it was needed.”
I slowly nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
“But?” she asked. “I hear something else in there.”
“But I’m not sure Nash had the best male influence in his life. Nash might think this is the right way to do things because that’s the way he was raised. We have very different opinions on how little boys should be brought up.”
“I keep forgetting you know him more intimately than the last month,” she said. “I—”
I shook my head. “Don’t say it. I don’t want it to ever get out.”
“We are going to talk about it one day,” she warned.
“I know. I will. I’m just not ready to deal with that situation just yet.”
She nodded. “This is your free pass with an expiration date. Tell me about Nash’s childhood and why you’re concerned.”
I burst into laughter. “Do you even realize you’re doing it?” I asked.
“Doing what?”
“Shrinking me! You just slide right into the role so naturally. No wonder you have such dedicated clients. You are good.”
“Yes, I am. Don’t change the subject. What has you concerned about Nash’s influence on Jace? Clearly there is something.”
I blew out a breath. “I don’t know all the details, but I know he and his father do not get along. Like they don’t talk at all.”
“Was it an abusive relationship?” she asked.
“I don’t know if it was abusive, but it wasn’t good. He never really told me much, but it didn’t sound good. I would hate for Nash and Jace to develop a relationship only to have it fall apart. I don’t want my son to feel like Nash did or maybe still does.”
“That sounds like you are considering telling him?” she asked.
“No! Definitely not. I can’t. Maybe later, but not now. I only meant the relationship they have right now. I don’t want it to go bad.”
“You’re assuming it will.”
I shrugged. “I have to protect my son.”
“True but keeping the truth from him is going to catch up to you. It will come out one day. You’re risking a lot by not telling him.”
“I’ll tell him one day when he’s old enough to understand why,” I said.
“Don’t wait too long,” she warned.
“I have to worry about right now,” I said. “I’ll call Nash and ask if we can talk.”
“You’re going to tell him?” she asked with surprise.
“No. I’m going to talk with him about what happened. I’ll apologize for being a little dramatic, but I do want some ground rules. He holds a lot of power in his hands right now. I need him to use that power for good. He needs to be the one to tell Jace that hitting someone is not always the answer.”
She nodded. “Good. That’s the right move.”
I grabbed my phone and called Nash. I would invite him over tomorrow. We could talk and then