I had forgotten that ugly term. Ironically, in my world as a youth, there were enough guys like Mr. Nitchman who were superpredators that I expected the worst when you wrote, "I confronted him: 'Yo, bro, what you want from me?' "

I breathed a big sigh of relief when the story continued.

It's very heartwarming to see that he saw something in you and focused on your betterment. A true mentor, a big brother of sorts, or something more.

I had a teacher like that in sixth grade who had the same impact on me. My mother was so angry at him for encouraging me to be a writer. "He should learn his maths!" she would yell to anyone who'd listen.

But Mr. Zumallen was instistent: "No, this kid is gonna be a writer someday. Stop fighting it." He actually said that to her in a parent-teacher conference.

Thanks for a great story.