The second day of the seminar started early and bright. Everyone gathered in the big hall, dressed sharply, holding notebooks, and bottles of cold water rested on the table. I, too, was not underdressed or less excited despite the cold war that existed between me and Dr. Aldrich.

The guy chose to ghost me that time around. After watching me leave his room the other night, he had not spoken to me. His reaction spoke volumes; he chose war instead of peace because that was exactly what his son was ...