I pulled T aside. “Look him in the eye, be serious, and say, ‘Dude…that sucks.’”

T wrinkled his nose at me. “But why? I never have dessert in my lunch, and I don’t complain about it.” R was watching us, so I made it quick. “Just try it. Walk over to him, say it, see how he reacts, okay?” T shrugged and walked over.

I resisted the urge to sidle closer and eavesdrop. Instead, I subtly watched R’s face change as T spoke to him. He relaxed. He smiled. I saw him nod, and walk away with a lighter step.

T came back. “Weird,” he said. “It worked.”

“Yeah,” I said. “You made him feel understood. Works almost every time.”

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