Breathing Underwater

In family violence class, Nick shares with the group the moment with Caitlin on the bridge. When Nick cannot express exactly how he felt in that moment, Mario intentionally makes him angry and goads him into hitting him, but Nick refuses. Mario uses this moment to show Nick that he can control himself and that automatically reacting to anger violently, especially with Caitlin, is wrong. Mario encourages Nick to learn to identify other feelings besides anger and to respond with control. After class, Nick admits to Mario that he felt afraid on the bridge, and Mario tells him that is okay.

Nick waits outside for Leo; they are going to complete community service hours by working at a carnival. Nick is slightly annoyed when Leo is late, and Nick considers whether he would be angrier if it were Caitlin who was late. When Leo finally arrives with Neysa, he blames Neysa and verbally abuses her. In the car, Leo drives erratically even when Nick asks him to stop. At the carnival, Leo polices whom Neysa sells sodas to, making someone else sell to men. When a male friend of Neysa’s approaches, Leo reacts angrily and gets violent with Neysa.