"Jake..." I didn't know what to say to make this better, but I desperately wanted to. Jake looked absolutely miserable and it hurt to know that he was so sad, so disappointed in himself. Sure, I was disappointed, too. I didn't think he could do such a thing, anything that would make them take away his badge for so long. I didn't want to think that. But here was the fact that it had happened and my heart was heavy.

"We don't have to talk about what happened," I said. "But you're not a fuck up. I mean that. You made a mistake. Whatever it was. But you're still the best guardian I've ever had and a great friend. You're a great person, Jake, despite this."