He had cried for two days straight, wishing he could take it back, begging for the man who had been so nice to him not to die. And then he had started to focus only on the man’s courage, his determination to get what he wanted.
The memory had driven him downstairs to his parents. He had told them that he wasn’t academically gifted, no matter what they believed. He had told them he wanted a fresh start at his local school.
They had agreed.
Geoffrey knew the insults would be no different. The kids there would call him names too. But he now knew he was strong enough to take it.
If Detective Sergeant Kevin Dawson had managed to find the courage to make changes to his life and become the man he had, then Geoffrey owed it to him to do the exact same thing.
He no longer had sporting heroes, or athletic gods that he looked up to. He didn’t fawn over rich, fickle reality stars or short-term pop stars. He had been lucky enough to know a real hero.
And that’s what had brought him here, to make the first of many changes that would help him become the man he wanted to be.
‘You coming in?’ asked the female attendant, nodding towards the doors that led into the gym.
He took a breath, reached for his bag and followed her through.