And The Silver Spoon

The hoodie slides off his head. You feel Theo's heart jolt, but not as much as yours as the light in Theo's room illuminates the purple and yellow bruise that's flowered around Theo's eye and cheekbone.

Your mouth hangs open in shock, eyes widening by the second as you study the bruise. Theo slumps in defeat.

You take Theo by the shoulders, jaw clenched and eyes furious.

"Who did this?"

"C'mon-"

"Theo," you repeat, your grip on Theo's shoulders tightening. You have to remind yourself to hold back your enhanced strength. "Who did this?"

Theo slumps, his eyes sad. He looks you in the eye for the first time that night. Your heart breaks at the blood in Theo's eye.

"Jesus Christ, Theo-"

"It was some kids at school,"" Theo blurts out. He shrugs your hands off. "You were right. Liking superheroes gets you bullied after all."

You step back, taking in his words. You look around Theo's room, still decorated with all the trappings of a superhero-obsessed teenager.

Intervene. Don't intervene. No choice you ever make for this kid feels right. He gets hurt anyway.

Did Mary ever feel this way?

• Affirm that you were right. Put your foot down on one thing. Tell him to take all his junk down.
• Give him a hug. Tell him to keep it all up.
• Make no comment. Mary was the good parent, not you. Just go get ice.