#Chapter 15: Fatherly Activities

We left Cathy alone in the garden. Clearly, neither of us saw her at peace very often. As Theo pulled me into his room to play with toy soldiers, I could no longer ignore the question that has been scratching my brain raw. He had to be my son. As our little soldiers fought on the wooden floor, I glanced up at him with a somber smile. I wondered if he sensed it too. “Hey…Theo,” I tentatively said, his name unfamiliar but sweet in my mouth, “would you like to learn some fighting skills?” Theo was very young, and I doubted he was interested in hand to hand combat over playing games or with toys, but I still wanted to see how he’d react. I was his age when I began training with my father’s general. And I did promise him that I’d teach him someday. “Yes!” he yelled, flying off the floor. “Teach me!” The boy was very excited at this, his eyes big and full of mischief. They reminded me of Cathy’s, how determined and bright they alway