I Paid My Son’s Crush to Take Him to Prom—But What Happened That Night Left Me in Tears

thought. He was simply gentle in a world that often rewarded loudness.

Yet throughout high school, that gentleness became a target.

Kids mocked him for reading during lunch.

They laughed when he stumbled over words during presentations.

Sometimes they pretended to befriend him only to embarrass him later.

Every time I asked if he was okay, he’d smile and continue reading …