Page 14 of Bad Daddy

“Hey,” Haru said gently. “It’s okay. I just know how easy it is to get stuck in your own head. How much easier it is to focus on your negatives and dismiss the positives. But putting yourself down doesn't benefit you. It doesn’t make you work harder or better, it just discourages you and adds stress. It takes practice to start recognizing your own accomplishments, especially if you’ve spent so long ignoring them, but there’s a lot of merit in it. There’s merit in being able to recognize all that you’ve done and how far you’ve come.”

Danny’s ears burned. It was easy for Haru to say all that, being who he was. Successful, important, and admired. Haru probably never had trouble with school. Never had to deal with classmates laughing at him for struggling to get through a picture book, or teachers looking at him with annoyance or suspicion for doing a math problem in his head because he couldn’t write down his work.

“Yeah,” he mumbled. “Sure, okay.”

Haru sighed. “I’m sorry. I know it sounds like I’m spouting fluff.”

“Kind of, yeah,” Danny said, too twisted up to hold his tongue. He fiddled with his straw so he didn't have to look at Haru. “I told you, I’m falling behind in all my classes. I already nearly failed high school. It’s hard to recognize accomplishments when you don’t have any.”

For a moment, Haru just looked at him, head tilted, and Danny swallowed nervously. “Sorry,” he said. “I really appreciate you wanting to help me out, I just—”

“What’s the citation for Roe versus Wade?” Haru asked out of nowhere.

“What?” Danny asked, bewildered by the subject change.

Haru raised an eyebrow. “It’s a pretty famous case. Do you know it, or not?”

“Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113,” Danny rattled off, frowning now. “1973. Why?”

“Because most people couldn't do that,” Haru said, plucking up another chip. “I wouldn’t ask my staff to know citations off the top of their heads.” His smile then looked… sad. “You’re brilliant. But you don’t think you are.”

Something funny flipped over in Danny’s chest. “I’m nothing special,” he managed, trying to chase away that feeling. He wanted Haru to think he would be a decent paralegal someday, not—whatever this was. “Ask anyone.”

“Yeah?” Haru asked after taking a sip of his coffee. “What about Lily? She’s already vouched for you.”

Right, Danny remembered, reddening further. Not that he understood why. “Anyone else,” he said. “My teachers, my classmates–anyone.”

“Here we are,” Antonio said a little too loud and cheerful, arms full of plates. Danny flinched as his food was set down in front of him.

“Thank you,” Haru said, turning a winning smile on Antonio.

Antonio grinned back. “Anything else I could get you? Coffee refill?”

“I’m good, thank you.”

“Okay, great,” Antonio said. “Enjoy your food. Ours is the best around.”

“Looking forward to it,” Haru said.

“Hey Danito,” Antonio said quickly. “Is this all kosher? You okay?”

Danny startled. “What?”

“You look miserable. Should I get Ronnie? Kick him out? We’d comp your food.”

Danny darted a glance at Haru, who looked curious but unconcerned. “I’m fine,” Danny said. “Um… thanks though.”

“Okay,” Antonio said in English. “Enjoy everything!” He sent Danny one last look before scampering away. Danny watched him go, more than a little flabbergasted.

“What about Antonio?” Haru asked.

“What?” Danny jerked back to look at Haru.

“If I asked him about you,” Haru said, tilting his head in the direction Antonio had gone. “Do you think he’d say you’re nothing special?”

“I…” Danny frowned at his plate. “We don’t know each other well.”

“What about someone who does?” Haru asked, softer now. “Someone who knew you? You really think they’d say you were nothing special?”

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