Jefferson Fisher

His dad had left shortly after he was born. His mom was in jail. But in third grade, I had no grasp of his reality, no clue about the true struggles he was facing. With two loving parents who would read and tell me stories at night, I knew then that he was living in a world I knew nothing about.

His dad had left shortly after he was born. His mom was in jail. But in third grade, I had no grasp of his reality, no clue about the true struggles he was facing. With two loving parents who would read and tell me stories at night, I knew then that he was living in a world I knew nothing about.

His dad had left shortly after he was born. His mom was in jail. But in third grade, I had no grasp of his reality, no clue about the true struggles he was facing. With two loving parents who would read and tell me stories at night, I knew then that he was living in a world I knew nothing about.

As we continued over that fall semester and into the next year, Evan's reading level improved with each session until he was reading all on his own. I couldn't have been prouder. Exposure to Evan's inner struggles was another defining moment in my life at a very early age. And it was a lesson I've never forgotten. Zinging a put-down at ten-foot-tall Bobby LaPre wouldn't help anything.

As we continued over that fall semester and into the next year, Evan's reading level improved with each session until he was reading all on his own. I couldn't have been prouder. Exposure to Evan's inner struggles was another defining moment in my life at a very early age. And it was a lesson I've never forgotten. Zinging a put-down at ten-foot-tall Bobby LaPre wouldn't help anything.

As we continued over that fall semester and into the next year, Evan's reading level improved with each session until he was reading all on his own. I couldn't have been prouder. Exposure to Evan's inner struggles was another defining moment in my life at a very early age. And it was a lesson I've never forgotten. Zinging a put-down at ten-foot-tall Bobby LaPre wouldn't help anything.

It would only hurt, if not the deposition, then most definitely my face. And besides, my client's case needed this information. Put it down, Jefferson, I said to myself. I let out a long, silent breath through my nose. As I dropped the tension in my shoulders, my thoughts of retaliation faded. What I became more curious about, however, was the disproportionality of Bobby's reaction.

It would only hurt, if not the deposition, then most definitely my face. And besides, my client's case needed this information. Put it down, Jefferson, I said to myself. I let out a long, silent breath through my nose. As I dropped the tension in my shoulders, my thoughts of retaliation faded. What I became more curious about, however, was the disproportionality of Bobby's reaction.

It would only hurt, if not the deposition, then most definitely my face. And besides, my client's case needed this information. Put it down, Jefferson, I said to myself. I let out a long, silent breath through my nose. As I dropped the tension in my shoulders, my thoughts of retaliation faded. What I became more curious about, however, was the disproportionality of Bobby's reaction.

Anytime someone takes a level one conversation and jumps it up to a level 10, it's telling. And what it tells you is that there's another conversation happening inside that person's head that you weren't invited to. something hidden that has taken over their filter and is now driving their reactions. You're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. What else is at play? Who am I really talking to?

Anytime someone takes a level one conversation and jumps it up to a level 10, it's telling. And what it tells you is that there's another conversation happening inside that person's head that you weren't invited to. something hidden that has taken over their filter and is now driving their reactions. You're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. What else is at play? Who am I really talking to?

Anytime someone takes a level one conversation and jumps it up to a level 10, it's telling. And what it tells you is that there's another conversation happening inside that person's head that you weren't invited to. something hidden that has taken over their filter and is now driving their reactions. You're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. What else is at play? Who am I really talking to?

I intended to find out. Having let about 10 seconds pass from his last words, lawyers are the worst thing to happen to America, I gave a soft smile. and said slowly, well, maybe you're right. I waited another 10 seconds as I sat back in my chair and moved my gaze around the room. When I was ready, I leaned forward, put my forearms on the table.

I intended to find out. Having let about 10 seconds pass from his last words, lawyers are the worst thing to happen to America, I gave a soft smile. and said slowly, well, maybe you're right. I waited another 10 seconds as I sat back in my chair and moved my gaze around the room. When I was ready, I leaned forward, put my forearms on the table.

I intended to find out. Having let about 10 seconds pass from his last words, lawyers are the worst thing to happen to America, I gave a soft smile. and said slowly, well, maybe you're right. I waited another 10 seconds as I sat back in my chair and moved my gaze around the room. When I was ready, I leaned forward, put my forearms on the table.

Tell me, please, what's been your biggest struggle this year? I asked. Bobby Lepre's eyes looked up to meet mine. Say what? He scoffed. I repeated. What's been your biggest struggle, personal struggle, this year? At that question, Bobby Lepre slowly dropped all emotion from his face. He got very still. I stayed quiet while his eyes seemed to search for the words.

Tell me, please, what's been your biggest struggle this year? I asked. Bobby Lepre's eyes looked up to meet mine. Say what? He scoffed. I repeated. What's been your biggest struggle, personal struggle, this year? At that question, Bobby Lepre slowly dropped all emotion from his face. He got very still. I stayed quiet while his eyes seemed to search for the words.

Tell me, please, what's been your biggest struggle this year? I asked. Bobby Lepre's eyes looked up to meet mine. Say what? He scoffed. I repeated. What's been your biggest struggle, personal struggle, this year? At that question, Bobby Lepre slowly dropped all emotion from his face. He got very still. I stayed quiet while his eyes seemed to search for the words.

And after a while, he finally spoke. His words stumbled out, choppy and hesitant, like he was embarrassed to even mention it. I, uh... I had to put my mother in an assisted living facility last month. My, uh... My dad is long past, and my brother moves around a lot as a roughneck, so... I'm the only one, the only one here to really help her.

And after a while, he finally spoke. His words stumbled out, choppy and hesitant, like he was embarrassed to even mention it. I, uh... I had to put my mother in an assisted living facility last month. My, uh... My dad is long past, and my brother moves around a lot as a roughneck, so... I'm the only one, the only one here to really help her.