Soldier Mine (Sons of War #2)(31)

“Wow.” He’s looking at me like I’m a rock star.

I laugh, always amused by the unabashed way kids and teens react to me. The community center isn’t far, but it’s snowy and cold out. I pull into the parking lot.

“Yesterday was pretty awesome,” he adds. “Is there … can we come over again?”

I hesitate. There’s no way I’d dime out his sister, but I’m not certain what to tell him, either. “We’ll have to see,” I manage finally. “It’s ultimately up to your sister.”

“Oh.” He seems to know what that means. “Maybe I can convince her.”

Smiling, I climb out of the truck and lead him into the center. He’s gripping his backpack hard, and his eyes dart around to the blue mats lining the gym on the opposite side of the entrance. There are three students and an instructor in their uniforms already. Todd doesn’t look certain, but I motion him forward.

“It took two weeks for her to agree. Don’t back out now,” I remind him with a laugh.

Determination crosses his features, and he draws abreast of me.

An hour later, we wrap up. Todd is a natural with great coordination. Teaching him the basics is easy so far, and his intensity is either a sign of eagerness or another flag that he’s learning for a reason other than a hobby. He’s sweaty and cheerful by the time he pulls on his jacket.

His eyes go to my exposed legs. I’m in shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt tonight. “Does it hurt in the cold?” he asks of my prosthetic.

“No. I have a special sleeve to keep it from getting too wet though,” I reply and ruffle his hair. “Was it everything you expected?”

“You are amazing,” he says, echoing a word I’ve heard his sister use on several occasions.

“Practice and attention to detail,” I reply. Too hot to pull on my sweats, I zip up a jacket and pick up my gym bag. We head out towards the truck.

“How long until I’m as good as you?”

“A few years.”

“Oh.” He grows thoughtful.

I glance at him as we get into the truck. “It really depends on how hard you push yourself,” I add.

“Hmmm. I was hoping a month or two.”

“It’ll take little longer than that. There’s no rush. The snow will soon be too deep to be outside.”

He nods.

“I have a schedule for you,” I add and pull out a piece of paper from my bag. Handing it him, I then put the truck in gear and begin driving.

“Wow! Paintball!” he exclaims, reading the one-month schedule eagerly. “And basketball.” The glow in his gaze starts to fade. “Claudia won’t agree, Petr.”

“She already did.”

“Really?” His look is indecipherable, the emotions too deep and quick for me to pin them down.

“Yep. She wants you to be happy.”

He starts to smile. “I’ve always wanted to be in sports. All the other guys at school know how to play soccer and football and go do paintball on the weekends. I can’t believe she said yes. You’re sure?”

“Positive. You can double check with her if you want.”

“I believe you,” he murmurs. “And you’ll come with me to all these things, too?”

“Of course.”

“My dad died when I was eight and Claudia has to work all the time. I’ve never had anyone to go with me anywhere.”

His words are hushed without being sad, and he seems more awed than depressed. I can sense how lonely he’s been but resist the urge to address the issue of why head on. Suffice it to say, he’s been alone long enough that a simple schedule appears to be the best news he’s received in his life.

“I couldn’t imagine growing up without my dad,” I say, genuinely troubled by the newfound fact about his life. It’s a reminder I don’t know much about either of them, not where they’re from or whether their childhoods were happy or not.

“It’s okay.” He shrugs. “I miss him during Christmas. Do you miss your mom and brother?”

“Always.” I glance at him. “You have Claudia. She’s an incredible woman.”

“She’s all right, I guess.” He snorts. “Kinda bossy sometimes.”

I laugh. My mind races. Todd needs more help than I originally thought. I assess he’s never known stability and wonder if he realizes how different he really is. Sweet, thoughtful, protective of his sister yet also a little lost, Todd is a good kid to the core, one who would have to believe his life was in inevitable danger in order to do something illegal like buy a weapon under the table.

Oblivious to my darker thoughts, he’s studying the calendar. “What’s the entry on the fifteenth?” he asks.

“Visiting the VA hospital and local soldiers’ home. We’ll have to take you out of school to go with me.”

“You want me to go with you?” He sounds amazed.

“Definitely. You can help me find candidates for the limb replacement program.”

“Wow.”

His unguarded expression is close to one of worship as he gazes at me. It makes me laugh even harder this time. The kid has never had anyone take an interest in him, which is unfortunate but one of the rare actions I can take to help them both.