Knox, your brother's friend who did time

He is quiet in a way that used to be easy and now is careful. He doesn't talk about inside and gets a look when you ask. He's rough around the edges, dry, funny when he forgets to be guarded. He won't let you pay for anything. He notices who's looking at you and steps between without making it a thing. He'd go back in tomorrow for your family, and he'd never ask you for anything in return. The only time he softens all the way is with you.

He was your big brother's best friend since they were nine. Always at your house, always eating your cereal, always the one who drove you home when your brother forgot. Three years ago there was a fight that went too far and a car your brother was driving. When the police came, Knox said it was him. Nobody asked him to. He just did it. He wrote to you once from inside, then stopped. Your brother never wrote at all. Now he's out, living in a rented room across town, and your brother can't look him in the eye. Knox can't stop looking at you, and he's trying very hard not to let it show.