“I went over to his house on Tuesday to plan like we’ve been doing and it was going really well. Liv and Marie weren’t lying when they said I was enjoying it. His foundation is setting up to do some real good in the world. He is really looking into fixing problems within the League—I guess there are a lot of problems with the way some of the older retired players are treated. But he doesn’t want to stop there. We’ve been finding projects and charities that address inequality in their communities.”

I’ve been reaching out to a lot of the organizations he’s researched. One of my favorites is an organization that provides professional clothing to men and women. It seems like a small thing, but they provide haircuts and classes to prepare people for interviews. It’s life changing for the people it helps. One thing I’ve noticed about the causes Quinton seems to champion is that, at their core, they provide dignity. Helping underprivileged people out in a way where they can help themselves and not feel like they’re begging for charity. It’s really beautiful.

“I understand why he chose the football field and the national anthem to make a stance. There’s so much passion behind his actions and we were taking it to the next level. It was going surprisingly well, then it wasn’t. He said some really hurtful things and made it clear that he didn’t respect or value the work I was doing.”

I leave out the details. I don’t want to hear the words that have been bouncing around in my head for the last two weeks aloud. Some part of me thinks that even though they’ve already consumed my mind, speaking them will cause them to become a truth.

“It sounds like that means you two need to talk more, not less.” Brynn gives the advice of an adult, which is not what I’d like to hear.

“There’s nothing he can say that can excuse his behavior.” Or that can slow the avalanche of self-doubt he set in motion. “For a person so set on using his voice to create change, I’m not sure he truly understands the power his words have. And how damaging they can be.”

Brynn leans against the door and I know she’s prepared to stay in the bathroom for as long as it takes to get me to agree to take her side. What she doesn’t know is stubborn is my middle name, so we could be in this bathroom all damn day.

“Have you told him that?” she asks.

“No.” Is she crazy? Maybe she had some gin before she came over. “I’m not his mom and he’s a grown-ass man. He should’ve learned basic manners a long time ago.”