He smiles. And hits play again.

Here’s a short story built around Depeche Mode’s greatest hits. The summer of ’86. Leo’s older brother, Mark, blasts the new compilation The Singles 81→85 from his beat-up Fiat. Leo is twelve, all elbows and ears. He doesn’t get the lyrics, but the synth riff is a sugar rush. He dances in the driveway. Mark laughs, tosses him the cassette. “Here, kid. Grow up.”

College, 1990. Leo’s roommate is a punk who hates “synth-pop fags.” One night, drunk, the roommate puts on Violator . “Personal Jesus” crackles through cheap speakers. The roommate says nothing. Just nods. They listen to the whole album in the dark. Some walls come down without a word.

Thirty-five. Leo is a father now. His daughter, Mira, is diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. He spends nights in hospital chairs, earbuds in, Songs of Faith and Devotion on shuffle. “Walking in My Shoes” comes on. He cries quietly so Mira won’t hear. The song doesn’t fix anything. But it stays.