“Do you think your article will change him?”

“No.”

Her answer was immediate.

“I think consequences may limit what he can do.”

“That’s different.”

“Very.”

She looked toward the field.

“Sometimes limiting the harm is enough.”

The game started.

Caleb became completely absorbed.

“Watch the left tackle.”

A few seconds later:

“He’s too far outside. They’ll run inside.”

They did.

Caleb grinned.

“Told you.”

Dorothy laughed behind us.

At halftime, Caleb turned around.

“Your lunchbox trick worked.”

Dorothy smiled.

“It wasn’t really a trick.”

“What was inside?”

“Photographs.”

“Evidence?”

“Yes.”

Caleb looked fascinated.

“So you’re kind of an investigator?”

“Among other things.”

He became quiet.

Then said,

“That sounds cool.”

Dorothy leaned forward.

“Is that what you want to do?”

“I used to want to play football.”

I watched him carefully.

He continued.

“I still want to do something where what I do matters.”

Dorothy studied him.