Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

Leonard describes his friend Baback, a small Iranian American boy who toted a violin case throughout his sophomore year of high school. During gym class their sophomore year, Asher Beal hits Baback in the head with a ball. Several students follow suit. Asher strikes Baback into the bleachers. Later the same day, Asher steals Baback’s violin. Leonard returns the violin to Baback and challenges Asher: “You touch him or his violin again and I tell everyone the secret” (82). Asher, threatened, retreats. 

The next day, when Leonard checks on Baback in gym class, Baback says, “Just leave me alone” (83). Leonard follows him to the empty school auditorium and listens to Baback play the violin expertly. The following day, Leonard listens to Baback play again. Baback fears that other students will find out and jeopardize his precious practice space. Leonard listens to Baback daily for the rest of the school year, although they never speak. 

Baback returns from summer vacation physically developed and more self-assured. He asks Leonard to pay him for listening to his violin practice. Leonard’s contributions total over $800 by the time they complete junior year, and Baback donates the money to True Democracy in Iran. Baback tries to befriend Leonard, but Leonard worries that his idealism of Baback might diminish if they spend time together. Leonard bids him goodbye for the summer and gives him a check for True Democracy in Iran from Linda. 

After the summer, Baback offers Leonard tasbih beads from his grandmother and declines to accept his donations during their senior year. 

On Leonard’s 18th birthday, he gives Baback a present, a check for True Democracy in Iran. Incredulous and offended at the six-figure amount, Baback believes Leonard is mocking him and his family’s experience. Leonard insists that the check is real and sourced from his college fund. 

Baback tells Leonard that although he has issues, they are ultimately “First-world problems” (93). Disillusioned with Baback, Leonard stews over the severity of his problems, despite living in the first world. 

Walking by Asher Beal in the hall, Leonard mimes shooting him. Asher dismisses him while others stare. Mrs. Shanahan, the guidance counselor, stops Leonard to ask about his uncharacteristic behavior. Leonard feigns a casual attitude and tells her he will come to her office later. 

Although Leonard senses that she knows he’s lying, Mrs. Shanahan doesn’t insist. Leonard, toying with Mrs. Shanahan, thanks her. On his way to Herr Silverman’s Holocaust class, Leonard wonders why adults neglect to celebrate children’s birthdays during adolescence. 

This chapter’s letter comes from Leonard’s future daughter S. She reports that “Momma says you’re sad, but she also says that we’re writing to you when you were a little boy, which I don’t really understand” (101). S describes her favorite things, including listening to Leonard speculate about what it was like to live in Philadelphia before it flooded. S explores the underwater city with her father, and they find a dress his mother Linda designed.

S dreads eating corn chowder with bacon for dinner: the family’s standard meal. She looks forward to her birthday next week and wonders when Leonard’s is, because he insists he doesn’t have one. A tells S that Leonard doesn’t reveal his birthday due to pain from his past.