The remora fish was about two feet long. By the way Paul pulled it in with such ease, Scotty guessed it weighed less than three pounds.

“It’s called a suckerfish,” Scotty explained. “Its species-specific name is a remora. See that thing on the top of its head? It’s like a suction cup. It attaches to other, bigger fish in the ocean, like sharks. The suckerfish and the shark have a mutually beneficial relationship. The suckerfish attaches to the shark and the shark takes it wherever it goes; suckerfish get free rides in the ocean and can conserve energy. Some remora fish can stay attached for as long as three months. The shark takes care of the suckerfish. Suckerfish benefit from the shark’s protection and free rides in the ocean, and they get to eat the scraps of each kill,” Scotty said, pointing out each part of the fish as he explained.

“But why do sharks allow this? What are the benefits to them?” Zach asked.

Scotty pointed at Zach and smiled approvingly, excited to dive deeper into the lesson. “Because parasites are also always trying to connect to a host. So the suckerfish eats the parasites that can be found on the shark’s skin. If a parasite gets into a shark’s gills it can affect its breathing or kill it. If the parasite gets into the shark’s nostril it can attack its brain. No matter how powerful a shark is, a shark knows it needs help and good teammates to thrive.

“I always think of it like this: Beware of who you allow to connect to you. Sharks will take as many suckerfish as they can with them. It’s a win-win-win. People are no different—who we connect with in life can make or break us,” Scotty explained, casually taking the ugly fish off the line and holding it up for everyone to see. He took a second to take in the moment, still amazed at how he had learned so much about life from an ugly fish and a man who saw something in him that he didn’t see himself.

He continued:

“Another cool thing—some remoras even attach and live inside the shark’s mouth. Talk about trust! The shark could chomp down and devour the vulnerable fish, but it doesn’t. The relationship is built on trust, experience, and understanding the mutual connection.”

For a while, everyone on the boat was quiet.

“I started working at Drew’s that Monday after the adventure in the woods. Each day I’d show up and he’d show me around, walk me through certain aspects of the shop, explain equipment to me. There were about twenty other guys who worked there, and he introduced me to all of them. They all had a story. Some were recovering drug addicts, others had done jail time. Some had been homeless. Everyone came with baggage and scars. It made me feel less self-conscious about my past, since each of them had one too. I’d eventually learn that our messes and our hurts and mistakes helped create a solid bond between us. We felt taken care of for the first time in our lives—at least I did. But that is the kind of guy Drew was, always looking out for others. And what I didn’t know then, but would eventually learn, was that Drew needed us as much as we needed him.

“It was like the time he picked me up on a Sunday morning and suggested we go for a drive. I noticed that we had passed the exit for the shop, and I had a feeling I was in for another lesson. We drove to the next town over and pulled down a gravel road. We passed a sign that said Animal Rescue in big black letters, with Adoptions Today written in marker under it. We parked and I could hear dogs barking from inside. We walked in and it smelled like dog food and hand sanitizer. Glass cages lined the walls, some empty and some home to sleeping puppies. A few dogs paced their tiny cubicle, barking and pawing at the glass. Toward the back of the building, bigger, sadder-looking dogs laid quietly in their metal cages, thumping their tails as we got closer.

“‘Can I help you?’ a peppy volunteer asked, standing next to us and admiring the poodle in the cage in front of us.

“‘Yes, actually. We’re here for the worst dog you’ve got. The one who’s been here the longest. The ugliest one, the most hopeless one. He’s ours,’ Drew said, like he was picking out a brand-new car that had to be perfect. He wanted the dog that nobody else wanted.

“‘Really?’ the girl squealed, throwing her hands in the air. ‘You’re here for Sherbert! I’ll go get him!’ she said and hopped down the hall. Drew looked at me and raised his eyebrows. Who names a dog Sherbert?

“She called for us from the back of the building, and we followed. She put her back against the door to prop it open, kneeled down, and calmly and quietly coaxed Sherbert from the back. After some persuasion and the promise of treats, Sherbert appeared. He looked like he had never had a bath. His fur was patchy, his eyes were sad, and his tail was between his three legs. Yes, this raggedy dog had only three legs. Drew looked like he had won the lottery. He got down on the floor and called Sherbert over, and the dog took slow, careful, timid steps toward Drew’s outstretched hand. It took about 10 minutes, but finally Sherbert laid down next to Drew and let him gently stroke his matted fur.

“‘His day was tomorrow.’ The girl pouted, and then smiled. ‘You’re saving him,’ she said sweetly. I looked around at all of the animals and felt a mix of emotions. I was hopeful for their future but sad for their past. They each had a story; many of them had been abandoned, forgotten about, discarded. I knew the feeling. I wanted to save them all. Like he had read my mind, Drew said, ‘We can’t save them all, but we can save one. We can’t change the world for all of them, but we can change the world for one of them, and that’s powerful.’

We spent the next half hour on the floor next to this dog. Drew spoke to him softly, promising him a warm place to sleep, a shop full of guys who would love him unconditionally. We bought dog treats and a soft new dog bed and clipped a leash to Sherbert’s collar. He walked outside with us, limping slightly and overwhelmed by the sounds and smells of the outdoors. Eventually we got him in the truck, and he laid right down. The associate waved to us from the parking lot and we headed home.

“‘Well, we sure as hell aren’t calling you Sherbert. Who names their dog Sherbert?’ Drew laughed, putting one hand on the dog’s head. We drove in silence for a while, both of us resting our hands on the dog’s back.

“‘Angel, Bull, Goblin, Nurse, Great White, Hammerhead …’ Drew said out loud, clearly naming different types of sharks, ‘Tiger, Mako, Whale …’

“‘His tail!’ I said, pointing at the splotchy tail that was slowly thumping against the seat.

“‘When you said Mako, he wagged his tail!’ I said excitedly.

“‘Mako? You like that, boy?’ Drew asked. The dog lifted his head.

“‘Mako it is!’ Drew said, playfully ruffling the fur on top of the dog’s head.

“On Monday, the guys were all thrilled to meet Mako. They all sat on the floor of shop, holding their hands out for Mako to smell. He was still shy and unsure, but it was like he connected with the guys. As I stood back and watched, I suddenly realized why Drew chose Mako. It was because he was broken, and he knew all of us could relate to him. We all connected over our messy pasts, our scars, our injuries, and our damages. Mako fit in perfectly with us because he didn’t fit in anywhere else, and we could relate.

“Getting Mako was a lesson that required very little explaining. Drew didn’t have to tell me why he was doing what he was doing; I just knew. It was the kind of person, the kind of shark that Drew was. He believed in the underdog and he believed in second chances and finding hope in a hopeless situation. He had rescued all of us just like he had rescued Mako, and it made everyone better in the long run.

“Mako was a shop dog for the rest of his life; he was a part of the family and a constant reminder that we can choose to see beauty in the mess.” Scotty smiled, and suddenly felt pulled to get another dog for the shop. “Mako followed Drew around like his little shadow, and when Mako would roll over for a belly rub, Drew would always say, ‘Who saved who, huh, buddy?’ It would always remind me that we needed Mako just as much as he needed us. Without ever having to say it, Drew taught me that sharks know they need suckerfish. The suckerfish keeps the shark humble and balances the playing field. Drew took Mako in—all of us, for that matter—because it made his heart feel good.

“His heart for all of us, his determination to rescue the broken and the jacked up, was a true reflection of his strength. That’s the magic of Drew; he needed the techs as much as they needed him. He needed the three-legged dog just as much as the three-legged dog needed him. The beauty of the shark and suckerfish relationship is that both parties add value, which reminds me of another Drewism. He’d always say, ‘We’re not in the AC business, we’re in the people business.’ He enjoyed serving people; the money we made was always secondary.

“On Friday of the first week, Drew met me at the front door of the shop first thing in the morning. He told me to hop in the truck, gave a few orders to the guys in the shop, and told them he’d be back in time for closing. We drove through town, then across the tracks, so to speak, toward the more affluent part of town. Quiet, tree-lined roads, gated communities, BMWs and Mercedes cruising through the streets. Men in expensive suits with briefcases walking into office buildings, moms dressed to the nines pushing kids in strollers through the park. We turned into a gated community and the guard at the front waved us in. We drove down windy roads, and as we went deeper into the neighborhood, the houses got bigger. We pulled into a driveway and I was speechless. Compared to my little shack of a house, this was a freakin’ mansion. Drew got out, and I followed him to the door, curious as to which one of our customers lived here. To my surprise, he pulled out a key and walked right in the front door.

“‘Is this your house?’ I asked, looking up at the grand architecture. Drew nodded and welcomed me in.

“‘Head back out to the pool. I’m going to change and I’ll meet you out there,’ he said, disappearing up the spiral staircase. I walked carefully through the grand foyer, into a living room bigger than my entire house, and out the sliding glass doors to the pool. There was a waterfall feature, sport court, and outdoor kitchen. Why do they have their kitchen outside? I remember thinking. Drew came out soon after, and I followed him around the pool, across the patio, and past the tiki hut. I followed him to the gorgeous pale blue fishing boat parked at the dock right behind the house, and when he got in, I did, too. A lot of what Drew did was in silence. I just watched and followed. I had learned to wait to ask questions because, more often than not, Drew was already planning on answering them. We slowly moved through the channel out to open water, where Drew baited the line and cast it overboard.

“‘The remora fish aren’t really picky; they’ll eat pretty much anything. But they don’t travel in schools, so they can be kinda hard to find and catch. They are loners and they live out in the deeper parts of ocean, away from the shore. But we’ll try,’ he said, taking a seat.

“‘A remora?’ I asked, curiously.

“‘You’ll see,’ Drew said as he put his feet up, laced his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes. I kept an eye on the line and waited. A tug on the line caused Drew to jump to his feet and grab the rod. He reeled in the line with ease and brought up a sparkling mackerel.

“‘Eh,’ Drew said, and tossed the fish back into the water. ‘The only way you can eat those is to smoke them.’ I watched the fish swim away while Drew put fresh bait on the line, cast it overboard, and reclaimed his spot in the captain’s chair. Again, he put his feet back up and closed his eyes.

“A while later, the line tugged again. We both rushed to the side, and Drew reeled and pulled the line, anxious to see what was on the other side. This time, the challenger on the other end of the line was bigger, stronger. It took Drew a good while to bring it on board.

“‘A grunt,’ he said, disappointed. The large fish flapped and thrashed out of water. Drew unhooked it, and, to my surprise, threw it back.

“‘What are you doing?’ I asked him, shocked.

“‘Not what I’m looking for. Good, but not good for what I’m trying to do. It can’t help me with this lesson. We’ll wait,’ he said, retreating back to his seat.

“Finally, after about three hours, the tug on the line brought more success. Drew pulled up the line and shouted as he pulled the ugliest fish I had ever seen on board. We threw away some beautiful fish for this? I remember thinking.

“Drew reminded me about how the remora, the suckerfish, attaches itself to host, typically a shark. The shark provides transportation for the suckerfish and a constant flow of water over its gills that keep it alive,” Scotty explained.

“If I was a shark, I wouldn’t let this ugly, small thing mooch off me. I’d tell that ocean leech to get off me, to find its own way,” Zach said with a bit of disgust in his voice. “Sharks are sharks because they’re alpha, like you said. Little fish like this don’t get a free ride,” he said with confidence, looking over at Paul for approval. Paul smiled and nodded at his son in pride.

“Remember,” Scotty interjected, “the suckerfish isn’t getting a free ride, and the shark benefits in a lot of ways by keeping it around. Suckerfish add value to the shark, but, most importantly, the suckerfish keep the shark alive. The shark provides protection, and the suckerfish eats the bacteria and parasites off the shark. Sharks are alpha, but they also recognize a mutually beneficial relationship when they see one, and they take advantage of it,” Scotty said matter-of-factly.

Scotty went back to his story. “As Drew and I examined that suckerfish, Drew explained that the shark’s position in the ocean’s hierarchy is not diminished simply because it’s got a tagalong. Allowing the suckerfish to go for a ride is actually a smart decision on the shark’s part. It’s like a powerful business relationship because it keeps the shark in its best possible state,” Scotty explained, dipping a large five-gallon bucket over the side of the boat and gently putting the suckerfish into it.

“It’s not a sign of weakness to associate with someone who is smaller or less experienced or less capable than you are,” Brittany added, glaring over at Zach.

“Right. But it’s kind of lazy, you know? Just latching onto someone who has worked their entire life to reach the top?” Zach countered, almost daring Brittany to come back at him.

Paul thought for a second. His son had a point. Paul had worked tirelessly to get to where he was, and he didn’t rely on money or help from anyone else to do it. Sure, he had burned bridges and had had to play a little dirty to get to where he was, but it was all in the name of business. Nothing personal. Scotty was the one who had accepted a handout from Drew and that was fine, but it didn’t quite make him a shark. I’m the one who went off and did big things. Me. On my own, Paul thought to himself. That’s what a shark does, figures it out on its own. I didn’t need anyone’s help; I am a self-made man.

“Not lazy,” Scotty replied, “Smart. A suckerfish knows it can thrive by attaching itself to a shark. It knows it is protected, it is fed, it’s safe. And it benefits the shark, too. That’s the part you’re missing. It’s not lazy, it’s an intentional move to survive and thrive that benefits both parties,” Scotty said, slowly. “We all have strengths and weaknesses. A shark, a real shark, even understands its own limitations.”

“So take this to the real world,” Zach said, still not convinced. “Let’s say Drew’s the shark and now you’re his suckerfish,” Zach said boldly, almost condescendingly. “Following him around, in his shadow. How do you benefit him?” Zach asked, staring at Scotty.

“Great question. At first, I was unsure, too. How was I, this punk kid with family issues and a mug shot, going to do anything even close to benefiting Drew? It was humbling and intimidating. Made me feel insecure at first.

“I learned all about the shark in a matter of days. And I learned a lot about the suckerfish on that boat trip. But it would take me years to develop a true understanding of this unique, natural relationship and how it would help launch me into the man I am today,” Scotty said, smiling. “As I really learned how to run a business, I learned that companies with mentoring programs are more productive and have lower turnover. I encourage all of my techs to find someone they admire, someone more successful than they are, to help them learn and grow. Having Drew as a mentor literally changed my life and the trajectory of the business. I can’t stress enough the power that mentorship has in a thriving business. You can reduce attrition, improve job performance, and improve productivity, and mentors are more likely to get promoted, too. Paul, you had a mentor, right?” Scotty asked, pretty sure he already knew the answer.

Paul blankly looked at Scotty. He thought about the older businesspeople who had influenced him early in his career, the leaders who had let him learn from their mistakes. It was those same people who later warned him, with honesty and love, about how his attitude and some questionable business practices could come back to hurt him. When they would offer honest, constructive criticism that hurt a little bit, he would always say they were just old and outdated and stopped listening to them altogether. I don’t know much about this whole mentorship thing, he thought, but I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. Paul had never really been anyone’s suckerfish.

When Paul didn’t say anything about having a mentor, Scotty continued. “Working with Drew was one of the most educational experiences of my life. And I’m not talking about learning about coolers and coils. I’m talking about learning about a work ethic, building personal relationships, doing work that mattered. I remember him telling me, ‘Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.’ Later I learned it was really Ralph Waldo Emerson who said it first, but at the moment I was very impressed with Drew’s eloquence and wisdom.” Scotty laughed.

“And that is what Drew did. He showed me what I was capable of. And there is power in that. When you feel like someone is in your corner, when someone sees something in you that you don’t, you’re much more likely to work toward becoming that person, even if you don’t see it. And Drew always reminded me that, just like the shark and the suckerfish’s mutually beneficial relationship, he was getting as much from me being around as I was. Before I became the CEO, Drew grew us into a $5,000,000 company operating in Broward only. Oh, Drew benefited from his suckerfish big time. He grew his company into a family culture using misfits and transformed us into husbands, fathers, and entrepreneurs—”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Zach interrupted. “You’re a CEO of a $5,000,000 company?” Zach looked over at Paul, who looked like a deer in headlights.

Scotty hesitated. It wasn’t his nature to discuss money and income, but it was too late now. He preferred his lifestyle to be what impacted people, not his bank account.

“Well, I … ,” Scotty started.

“No, actually he’s the CEO of a $25,000,000 company that covers not only Broward but Dade and Palm Beach counties, too,” Brittany chimed in. The expression on Paul’s face made the entire trip worth it, for Brittany at least.

“Bottom line is this,” Scotty said, shifting the focus from his bank account to the actual lesson, “sharks and suckerfish need each other. Everyone understand?”

Everyone on the boat nodded in agreement. Since he had everyone’s attention, he continued.

“I was there when Drew got his first cell phone. We stayed in the shop way after closing, me teaching him how to input all his contacts. He wanted to go through each ringtone and assign each one to a different person. I showed him how to adjust the volume, all of it. As we left the shop that day, he said, ‘Thanks, suckerfish, for all your help tonight.” It was the first time he actually referred to me as a suckerfish. I mean, I kind of figured that that was my role, but it was the first time I had a real, tangible example of how this relationship was mutually beneficial.” Scotty smiled. He remembered getting home that night, smiling and then laughing at how crazy it was that someone had referred to him as an ugly fish and how good it had made him feel.

“I began to notice some outdated techniques that Drew was using to collect payments. We all realized that many people owed Drew money—he’d either forgot to collect a payment or avoided hounding people for money. Many people took advantage of Drew’s heart. So we protected Drew from parasites. We taught him how to send out invoices electronically; they were automated until the client settled up. We even talked Drew into offering a service plan, where we would visit our clients once a quarter to check on things. That was a huge profit for the business, with passive income. We wondered how Drew was so successful, yet never used any technology. ‘I’m old school!’ Drew would respond when the guys would playfully make fun of him for writing everything down in his raggedy old planner. All the techs chipped in and bought Drew’s first computer for his birthday. We loved Drew and he loved us.

“I knew my way around computers because we used them at the Boys and Girls Club every day after school, so I stayed late to help set up Drew’s computer and show him the basics. I slowly showed him how we could use the latest software to totally run the entire business. Thankfully, Drew had a sense of humor and could make fun of himself, because his journey to understanding and using technology in the office was a slow one. Drew was open-minded to change and always willing to hear the ideas of the younger, ‘hipper’ employees. I’m sure that implementing new strategies and technology into the shop is what helped launch Sharks into the company it is today. Drew’s willingness to listen to new ideas and my willingness to teach him resulted in major profit all around. Remember, sharks are flexible. And sharks need suckerfish and suckerfish need sharks. Today, Shark’s AC Repair Service is basically a technology company. There is not a more advanced AC company or a company with a better culture in all of Florida, if not the country.

“I learned my biggest lesson after I had been on the job for a few months. It was the first time I really messed up, and my mistake cost the store a lot of money and a good customer. Basically I messed up on the draining system for a big unit; the tubing wasn’t insulated properly and the customer suffered major water damage to their home. It was clearly a bonehead mistake, and I offered to pay for the repairs with payments from my paycheck. Drew was mad—pissed. I don’t think it was about the money; it was the damage to the reputation of the company and losing a good customer with whom he had built a strong relationship. I was sure I was fired, and I avoided Drew all day. Then he called me in his office and pointed to the chair across from him. I sat.

“‘Your mistake cost the company a lot of money, but more importantly it caused us to disappoint a client and cause them stress and unnecessary inconvenience,’ Drew said to me, slowly and intensely.

“‘I’ll go,’ I said, standing up, my fight-or-flight instinct kicking in. Drew pointed to the seat. I sat.

“‘You don’t get to run away from this. Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can. I am going to show you that you can fix this. That you can face this. I forgive you for this. I’m giving you grace, a second chance. An opportunity to make it right. You, suckerfish, are helping me to remember to really walk the talk, to execute the same fundamentals that I preach to all of you around here. We help each other, we need each other, we …”

“‘Stand up for each other. Back each other up,’ I finished for him. He nodded and gave me a small smile.

“‘So we’re going to fix this. All of us,’ Drew said with determination. He stood up and walked out of the office, and I followed. He got in his truck and motioned for me to get in. I was surprised to see that the rest of the shop was empty, and even more surprised to see the rest of the guys in their trucks, revving and waiting for me. Drew led the way and we caravanned straight to the place of my botched AC job. My stomach was in my chest, but I watched all of the other guys get out of their trucks and wait for me. I felt protected, like I was surrounded by big brothers. Drew motioned at me to knock and I did, twice, and stepped back. The homeowner answered and, without a word or a smile, let us all in. We stood in the entryway of the home, and I could see contractors working on replacing the water-damaged floor behind him. We were silent, until someone not-too-subtly poked me in the back.

“‘Mr. Davis, I’m really sorry for my mistake. I take full responsibility for the incorrect installation. My newness in the industry is no excuse for my mistake, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right,” I said, my voice trembling.

“Then Drew spoke. ‘Clint, Scotty’s a good kid and made an honest mistake. But his mistake is our mistake, and we are all here to formally apologize. We’d also like to cover the cost of the floor repair. And, if it is okay with you, we would like to send Scotty back out here, under my supervision, to fix his mistake,’ Drew said with confidence.

“‘Scotty’s a good AC tech. One of the best we got,’ said one of the guys from the back.

“‘He’s hard-working and always willing to learn. He comes early and stays late and we are proud of him and happy to have him on our team,’ said someone else. Mr. Davis started to smile. Their kind words made me blush. I had thought they had my back, but that day I knew that they had my back for real—each and every one of them, including Tracey, vouched for me. I had never felt this way before. My bottom lip quivered as I shifted uncomfortably in my tennis shoes. This moment changed a lot for me. It is why I’m always looking for ways to encourage and speak light into people, because I remember how life-changing it was for me. I had screwed up, but fixing it felt good.

“‘And,’ Drew interjected, as he slid an envelope into my hand, ‘Scotty wants to give you something,’ he said as he nudged my elbow. I handed Mr. Davis the envelope and he opened it. It was a $100 gift card to a steakhouse down the street. He was impressed and thankful and open to letting me fix the mistake. As we caravanned back to the shop, I thanked Drew. He told me that we were family, and this rookie mistake helped him remember his first giant mistake and how he wished it had been handled. We cruised down the street back to the shop in formation, one huge shark in the front truck followed by a bunch of suckerfish cruising close by.

“‘You, suckerfish, have helped me remember how far I’ve come, how blessed I am to have what I have and know what I know. You remind me of me when I was young, hungry, and determined. And I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and what you’re going to accomplish,’ Drew said, as we drove back that day. I pretended not to notice his lip quivering a bit as he spoke, and for a second felt embarrassed for him. But when we stopped, he looked right at me with confidence, a single tear escaping his eye. He wasn’t embarrassed at all. That’s when I learned it was okay to be real and vulnerable and still be a man.

“‘Here is number six of the Sacred Six, Scotty, are you ready?’

“‘Yes sir!’ I said excitedly.

“‘Never forget this one, maybe the most important one. It is the one that most businesspeople miss: SHARKS. TAKE. CARE. OF. THEIR. SUCKERFISH AND ELEVATE THEM TO NEW LEVELS.’ He paused between each word for emphasis. ‘You are not a real success in my book until you take others with you. A great white shark can have like thirty suckerfish connected to him all at the same time, maybe more,’ Drew said, turning his attention back to the road.

“‘And that $100? That will come from your next week’s paycheck,’ Drew said with a sly smile and a wink.

“‘When you are a shark, you don’t just swim, you SWIM. Any questions about the Sacred Six, Scotty?’ Drew asked. I shook my head. ‘No sir, I get it!’ I said with confidence.

“‘Repeat them again for me,’ Drew asked. I recited the Sacred Six aloud and proudly I began to find myself saying almost every phrase Drew would say. I was definitely living inside this man’s mouth and —”

“Hold up. What did you just say?” Zach asked, looking confused and shooting an amused look over at Paul. “Did you say you were living in his mouth? I don’t know, man. I can do all of these little metaphors but living in someone’s mouth?” he asked.

Scotty smiled. It was something he was so used to saying that he forgot that it sounded weird to other people.

“Living in someone’s mouth. It’s like the words that people say can give life. The things people say to and about us can impact us for a lifetime. When you live in someone’s mouth, you take what they say as truth and then apply it to your life. And then you start saying it. Drew knew this, which is why he was so focused on making sure we not only knew the Sacred Six, but that we spoke them out loud every day.

“The Sacred Six became a part of who we were because we heard them on a daily basis and knew them to be true. We have to be aware of those who are living in our mouths, too; the people who are listening to what we say and even what we don’t say, and are using our words to build their foundations. Make sense?” Scotty asked.

Zach looked at him with uncertainty. “I guess,” he said slowly, “but it still sounds weird.”

“Okay, okay, enough with being in someone’s mouth,” Paul said impatiently. “What happened when you got back to the shop?”

Scotty continued. “As we pulled in, I thanked each of the guys for sticking up for me, and they all made it seem like no big deal. As I was shaking hands with everyone and saying goodbye, a wave of brown curls caught my eye. CiCi’s.”

“At this point I had been working for Drew for about six months, and she’d make an occasional appearance at the shop. We’d talk and hang out, and then Drew would find something for me to do, and she’d go home. But she’d never shown up after work hours before. The other guys jumped in their cars and left, Drew walked into the shop to close up, and left CiCi and me outside.

“‘Mr. Davis okay?’ she asked me. I was humiliated that she knew about my mistake, and it must have shown on my face. Come to find out, Drew talked about me all the time at home.

“‘Hey,’ she said, putting her hand on my arm, ‘everyone messes up, it’s not a big deal. My dad loves you, he trusts you. Says you’re like the son he never had.” I breathed a sigh of relief.

“‘Okay, we’re all closed up. You ready, C?’ Drew asked, heading toward the car. But CiCi didn’t move. And to my surprise slash terror, her hand was still on my arm.

“‘Actually, Dad, I think Scotty and I are going to walk up to Sawyer’s for ice cream,’ she said confidently.

“‘Oh, is that right?’ he asked, looking directly at me. I froze.

“‘Yes … yes, sir. If that’s okay with … you,’ I stuttered. It was such an emotional day for me, a day I will never forget. I had learned how to be accountable, had learned number six, and now I was going on an actual date with a girl—and not just any girl, the girl of my dreams!” Scotty smiled inside.

“‘I guess it’s fine. Be home by seven,’ Drew said, and jumped in his car. I took a deep breath and smiled at CiCi. We headed toward town, walking and laughing the entire way. I mean I know we talked but I can’t remember what it was about, because as she was walking her hand would brush mine and I was focused at timing it right to grab it. When it happened again I held on to her hand and she stopped mid-sentence. I held my breath and she continued her story, and we walked hand-in-hand the rest of the way. I guess that was our first date,” Scotty recalled. “I’ve never let her hand go and never will,” Scotty said, glancing down at his wedding ring.

“She’s an amazing kindergarten teacher, CiCi,” Scotty said, suddenly feeling the need to brag on his wife a little bit. “And as much as I’ve learned over the years from Drew, CiCi has taught me a lot, too. She balances me completely, will call me out when I need it, but she’s always my rock of support. As I worked my way up in Drew’s shop, she put herself through college. She worked so hard and always pushed me to do my best. I never felt like she thought less of me for not going to college or for working for her dad,” Scotty said, waiting for Paul to look his way. He did, and his guilty expression told Scotty what he already knew. Paul had always looked down on Scotty for taking a different path, and probably scheduled this fishing trip in order to boost his own ego. But this fishing trip was taking a different turn. It wasn’t just about fish and being out on the water. Slowly, ideas and beliefs were being challenged and everyone was being forced to do some self-reflection and practice self-control. It’s a fishing trip Drew would have loved, Scotty thought to himself, but he’s here in spirit, alive and well.

“My relationship with CiCi is the one constant in my life. She knows what I’m thinking, and a lot of the time I think she wants me to succeed even more than I do. And she is her own person, which I love. She put herself through school, she found her passion and went after it. She runs marathons and volunteered at the school when Brittany was little. She’s independent but completely devoted to us as a couple. She’s something else …” Scotty trailed off, spinning his silver wedding band around his finger. He glanced over to Paul’s hand and noticed no ring. Paul caught him looking.

“I, uhh, I take it off when I’m out of town, I mean, for fishing, ya know. Don’t want it to get lost,” Paul stuttered, looking half-ashamed. Scotty didn’t say anything. He thought back to the ice cream date and how CiCi started showing up at the shop more often after that. He thought about picnics in the park and their first trip to the beach. He remembered losing his breath as she tossed her tank top onto the sand and rushed into the water, completely unaware of how beautiful she was. There were movie dates and phone calls that went well into the wee hours of the morning. Scotty remembered stumbling half-asleep into work the day after one of their phone call marathons, and Drew giving a short but stern reminder to not let his personal life impact his professional life.

“Sounds perfect,” Paul said dryly.

“It hasn’t always been great. We definitely have our ups and downs. I remember our first big fight, when CiCi was supposed to meet me after work but didn’t show up. When I went to look for her, I found her at the Boys and Girls Club, surrounded by lanky, greasy-haired teenagers. Annoyed, I walked toward her, but a young guy approached her, way too handsome for my liking, and started talking to her. I remember my heart racing, my nails digging into the palms of my hands. When she laughed at something he said, I went blank. I don’t remember storming up to the guy, pushing CiCi aside, and decking him in the face. I don’t remember scrambling with the handsome jerk who was making her laugh, or the screams of all the bystanding kids. CiCi told me all of this later. But what I do remember is struggling to breathe as someone put me in a headlock, and the way my legs scraped the concrete as I was thrown out into the parking lot. When I looked up, it was Drew’s disappointed face that I saw. I’ll never forget it. And CiCi’s heartbroken face looking out the window. I was sure I had messed up for good. I thought CiCi would never talk to me again, Drew would fire me, and the police would probably show up any minute to take me in for a battery charge or to throw me back in jail,” Scotty said, still a little embarrassed by his behavior.

“I was still healing from my past; I know now that I was full of fear and it got the best of me. I had never known real love and the thought of losing it terrified me. I didn’t know that at the time, but my therapist helped me realize it.” Scotty laughed.

“When I calmed down, I walked home like a dog with his tail between his legs. But who was that guy? I would ask myself, and then get mad all over again. I was thankful my dad wasn’t home when I arrived because I didn’t feel like talking, and sure didn’t feel like fighting. I went upstairs, took a shower, and went to sleep, sure that my life was over. All of a sudden, I felt like the punk kid again. The kid my dad said was useless. The kid with a dead mom and a mug shot. The kid who threw away every good gift he’d been given. The kid who wasn’t good enough, who would never amount to anything. I told myself I was stupid for ever thinking that I could get it together, that somehow Drew could undo all of the brokenness that defined me. I remember thinking, Well, guess I am a screwup after all, just like my dad said.

When my alarm went off the next morning, I was tempted to hit the snooze button. But Drew’s words played over and over in my head, and slowly became louder than my dad’s voice.

“‘You don’t get to run away from this; sharks never stop moving.’ So I got dressed, jumped in my car, and drove nervously toward what I assumed was my last day of work.

“When I got there, I knocked on Drew’s door and he yelled for me to come in. His face was expressionless as he looked at me. He pointed to the chair. I sat. He folded his hands on his desk and looked directly into my soul. He was silent, and I knew he was waiting for me to say something. I apologized over and over again, but he was still silent. Then I realized what he was waiting for. He was waiting for me to tell him how I was going to fix it. He was waiting for my action plan, a way for me to fix what I’d done. He wasn’t interested in my excuses or apologies. He was interested to see if I was going to swim forward or backward. Sharks never swim backward. When he realized what I was going to do, and that it was what he had been waiting for, I felt relieved.

“‘I’ll fix it,’ I said confidently. Drew nodded and swirled his chair back around to his computer, excusing me. I grabbed my keys and headed back to my car and drove straight to the Boys and Girls Club.”

“Just like that? He didn’t fire you?” Zach asked in surprise.

“Nope. And he didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. I had learned enough from him to know what he expected. And I knew what I had to do. I walked through the lobby and spotted the handsome jerk right away; turned out his name was Ty. Ty with a black eye, I thought to myself, but reminded myself that this was no time for funny business. When I saw him, I contemplated walking back to my car, but I knew that my job, and any future with CiCi, probably depended on this moment. I walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. When he spun around and saw me, all I saw was his black eye, his tense body language, and anger rushing over his face.

“‘Woah, woah. Hey, man, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,’ I said, putting my hands up as a sign of surrender. ‘I messed up. I don’t know what got into me. I’m really sorry about yesterday. Not cool. I lost my cool. I was wrong,’ I said, my words flying out of my mouth. He looked confused and skeptical, and didn’t say anything. I was waiting for him to deck me, and I knew I deserved it. I continued to defuse and deescalate the situation.

“‘I just wanted to apologize. I —’ ”

“Why were you apologizing to this guy? He was trying to take your girl!” Zach interrupted, clearly disappointed at how Scotty handled the whole thing.

“He wasn’t. I had no proof of that. They were coworkers, friends. I was in the wrong. I was being jealous and insecure and made assumptions. I was wrong,” Scotty said confidently. Zach shrugged.

“After what felt like an hour of apologizing, the kid stuck out his hand to shake mine. He explained that he was recently engaged, and although CiCi was a great girl, he had no ill intentions toward her. He said we were cool, that he’d let the actions of the previous day go. He really seemed like a nice guy and I suddenly remembered sharks, that they recognize and respect other sharks. My insecurities had gotten the best of me, and I realized that there was a lot of work left to do on me.

“I went back to the shop and Drew was waiting for me. We walked into his office, he pointed to the seat, and I sat. He crossed his arms and waited for me to speak. I told him that I apologized and the guy forgave me. I explained how I was nervous at first, and then I said, ‘But the thought of losing this job or CiCi motivated me to do —’ and I stopped. I hadn’t meant to say the part about CiCi, but Drew just raised his eyebrows. I pretended he didn’t hear me.

“‘Well, suckerfish, you’ve reminded me of the importance of humility. While you were gone I called up my brother and apologized for something I did years ago that caused us to drift apart. Today I remembered that we are never too good, too old, too experienced, too rich, or too successful to humble ourselves and admit our mistakes,’ Drew told me with a gentleness.

“Man, he’s a better man than me. You punch me in the face and I’d see you in court,” Zach said proudly. “And you talk to my girl and you get punched in the face. You better believe you won’t find me crawling back on my knees,” he said with a hint of disgust in his voice, looking over at Paul for support. Previously, Zach’s remarks would result in an “attaboy” or an acknowledgment from Paul, but this time, Zach’s arrogant comments went ignored by his father. Paul’s indifference to his comments clearly bothered Zach, who was desperately seeking his dad’s approval.

Paul looked down into the bucket, where the suckerfish continued to swim around. I can’t remember the last time I apologized. To anyone, Paul thought to himself, sitting back in his seat. I can’t remember the last time I said anything encouraging or positive about Charlotte to someone else. Or to her. I can’t even think of the last time I helped someone else just to help them be successful. Paul’s stomach started to clench. He looked over at Zach. It suddenly dawned on him that Zach’s attitude toward business and other people was a direct reflection of the things Paul thought, believed, and said. Paul thought, Zach has been living inside my mouth and that’s not good. It was ugly. It was insecure. It sounded weak. Scotty was still talking, but Paul could only hear his own thoughts racing through his head. How did I miss it all these years? I may not be the shark I thought I was. Drew sounds so cool; that is who I want to be. And Scotty’s cool, too, real and transparent. This is not the same guy I grew up with. He has changed and transformed into a great man.

Paul reflected on how he had thought about Scotty all these years. How he secretly loved it when people who knew him from high school would mention Scotty, and Paul would pretend to be worried about his old friend’s future. He loved the part where people would compare the two of them and then make Paul out to be the success story. He remembered the way his own father had looked at him in disappointment the day Paul had come in second place at a swim meet. How the only way he could get his own dad to show up or be involved was by being the best. He loved the way his dad’s eyes lit up when he told stories about stealing someone’s position at work, or firing someone just to make an example out of them or to cover up his own mistake.

Paul loved swapping stories with his dad about women, and bonding over sleeping with as many as they could, like they were conquests. He thought about the seedy business deal he made that he continued to convince himself was legit. The same business decision that launched him into big boats and big paychecks and big debt. This whole time, Paul suddenly realized, I’ve been working to get the approval of other people. My dad, girls, college professors, coaches. Scotty is not just a freakin’ AC tech, and doesn’t care at all about what other people think. How does he do that? Paul thought to himself, suddenly feeling very small. Scotty runs a $25,000,000 company! he thought, squirming. And if I know this, I wonder if other people can see past the big cars and boats and see who I truly am, Paul thought, suddenly feeling exposed and embarrassed. Heck, I financed this boat to show off, Paul admitted to himself.

“… right, Dad?” Zach asked, pulling Paul back to the present.

“What’s that, son?” Paul asked.

“Sharks don’t need suckerfish. You don’t have anyone latching onto you, asking for help or trying to get a free ride,” Zach said, still hoping he could say something to impress his dad.

I don’t have suckerfish because I’m not a shark, Paul realized, replaying the thought over and over in his head. As if in fast forward, all of Scotty’s lessons played through his mind. Sharks take people with them; sharks aren’t threatened by the success of others; sharks never stop swimming. This whole time, he thought, I thought I was a shark. Zach was still waiting for a response. Paul nodded, still half-dazed. Zach shrugged and went back to his phone. Scotty and Brittany were talking at the edge of the boat.

A shark recognizes another shark when they see one, Paul thought, watching Brittany and Scotty laugh together.

“So if you’re not a suckerfish and you’re not a shark, then what are you?” Paul finally asked, breaking the silence on the boat.

Scotty knew he had Paul right where he wanted him. I got him. Drew taught us how to be fishers of men and this one is Moby Dick, Scotty thought.

“If you’re not a shark, and you’re not a suckerfish,” Scotty paused for full effect, “then there is a good chance that you’re a parasite,” he said with his back toward Paul, casting a line into the water.

Paul lurched over to the side of the boat and got sick into the water.