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“Thank you. I was already seeing myself at boarding school.”
His sincerity makes me smile.
“But, Flyn, you have to promise me you won’t behave like that again. Nobody wants to see you in a boarding school. Based on your actions, it seems like you’re the one who wants to go. Don’t you see that?” He doesn’t respond. “What happened the other day at school?”
“Nothing.”
“Enough secrets! If you want me to trust you, you have to trust me and tell me what the heck is happening at school and why they say you started a fight when I don’t think that’s true.”
He closes his eyes, seeming to weigh the consequences of what he’s going to say.
“Robert and the other kids started calling me names. They called me a ching chong Chinaman, a pussy, a scaredy-cat. They make fun of me because I don’t know how to skateboard, ride a bike, or anything like they do. I tried to ignore them like always, but when George threw me on the ground and started punching me, I grabbed his skateboard and smashed it into his head. I know I shouldn’t have, but ...”
I curse Eric in silence. He’s causing all this with his constant fears of something happening.
“The teachers don’t believe me. I’m the weird kid in class. And since I don’t have friends to stick up for me, they always blame me.”
“And your uncle doesn’t believe you either?”
Flyn shrugs his shoulders.
“He doesn’t know anything. He thinks I get into trouble because I’m a troublemaker. I don’t want him to know those kids make fun of me because I’m a coward. I don’t want to let him down.”
I cup his face with my hands.
“Hitting that boy in the head with a skateboard was wrong, dear. You understand that, right?” The boy nods, and, hoping to show him I’m on his side, I go on. “But I’m not going to let anyone insult you again.”
His eyes suddenly light up. I remember my niece.
“Put your thumb against mine. And once they touch, we’ll give each other a high five.” He does as I say and smiles again. “That’s the code for friendship between my niece and me. Now it’ll be ours too. Would you like that?”
He nods, and I’m about to jump for joy. I have a truce with Flyn. And when I think it can’t get any better, he says, “Thank you for sleeping in my room with me last night.”
I shrug my shoulders to play it down.
“Oh no! Thank you for letting me share your bed.”
“You’re not afraid of thunder. I know that. You’re a grown-up.”
That makes me laugh. Smart-ass.
“You know what, Flyn? When I was little, I was also afraid of thunder and lightning. Every time there was a storm, I was the first one to jump into my parents’ bed. But my mom taught me there’s no need to be afraid of bad weather.”
“How did your mom teach you?”
Thinking of my mom, the caring look in her eyes, her warm hands, and her perpetual smile, I say, “She would tell me to close my eyes and think of nice things. And one day she bought me a pet. I called him Calamar. He was my first dog. My superfriend and superpet. When there were storms, Calamar would jump up into bed with me, and, when he was with me, I felt brave. I didn’t need to go to my parents’ bed anymore. Calamar protected me, and I protected him.”
“And where is Calamar?”
“He died when I was fifteen. He’s with Mom in heaven.”
This revelation about my mother surprises him.
“Yes, Flyn, my mom died like yours. But you know what? From heaven, she and Calamar send me strength so I won’t be afraid of anything. And I’m sure your mom does the same for you.”
“You think so?”
“Oh yes! Of course I do.”