11 years ago, John and Leon at age five
"Are my eyes deceiving me or is that really Thomas Steele I'm seeing?"
John looked up from his picture book. His father, who was about to close the door of his car, turned his head around. John watched his eyes light up in recognition, his lips lifting into a wide , he looked at who his father was staring at.
"Nick, is that you?"
A tall, black-haired man was standing a few feet away from them. Holding his hand was a boy John's age. John scrunched his nose at the sight of him. His clothes were a mess, his shoes muddy, and tucked under his arm was a soccer ball. He was so covered in dirt that he clearly was in dire need of a bath. Contrary to him, John was spotless. Even his shoes looked brand-new, as though he'd just taken them out of the box.
Wh
