Writing in the Silence

Leo was born into a house where silence was heavy. His mother worked two jobs,

and his father was absent. As a baby, Leo didn't cry for attention; he seemed

to sense that there was no extra energy to give. While other babies reached for toys,

Leo reached for his mother’s tired hand, his wide eyes full of an empathy that

seemed far too old for his face. He grew up in a neighborhood where the pavement was

cracked and the dreams were smaller. Because he was sensitive and soft-spoken, he was often overlooked

by teachers and picked on by peers. He carried the weight of his mother’s exhaustion and the

world’s coldness in his chest. The Turning Point The "struggle" wasn't just about money;