“Things are going well?” “Yeah. Great.” “You’re happy?” he asks, and I gape at him. When was the last time an adult in my life asked me that question? “Yeah. I’m really happy. This has been the best year I’ve had since starting school here.” This earns me the smallest of smiles. Coach Mackenzie once told me that he and I were alike. He’d meant it as a warning—a cautionary tale of what not to be. But I took it as the highest of compliments. He’s the best role model I’ve ever had. I want to be like him.
