CHAPTER TWO

Peter Stafford walked into the tan steel building that housed the karate school. He spotted his sister to his left, and she waved him over. “Thanks for coming, Pete.”

He sat on one of the metal chairs at the edge of the gray mat. “Of course.” Peter tried to attend as many functions as he could.

“Benji is so excited to test today,” she said. Peter admired how much Laura loved her son.

A thin man with red hair and a goatee, who was dressed in a white karate uniform, called all the students to attention. He turned to the audience. “Thank you for coming to our demonstration and belt testing tonight. The students have all been working hard to show you what they’ve been learning here at Seaside Martial Arts School. Please be respectful as they complete their testing.” The man walked over to the edge of the mat.

Two lines of kids formed on the far side.

“Is Benji nervous?” Peter gazed at the young boy.

She leaned in and whispered. “He’s been practicing like crazy.”

“He seems to like karate.” It was obvious by the grin on his face that Benji enjoyed what he was doing.

“He loves it.” She turned to him. “And he loves that you come to see him. I can’t tell you how much it means to both of us.” She smiled, but Peter could see the sadness in her blue eyes.

“You know how much I love him. I want to always be here for him. For both of you.”

Laura sat up, her blonde hair falling across her shoulders. “Oh, look, Benji is testing.” She clasped her hands together.

The barefoot man with the goatee yelled out some words and the boys and girls all responded by making formations with their arms.

“I know nothing about karate except what I’ve seen Benji do,” Peter said. “I wish I could help coach him.”

“I know even less than you do.” She shrugged.

They continued to watch the exhibition and when it was over, Benji came rushing to them. He threw himself into Peter’s arms. “Uncle Peter, I’m so glad you’re here. Did you see me get my orange belt?”

“I sure did. Great job,” Peter said. He held up his hand, and Benji slapped it.

“You were the best one out there.” Laura tousled his light brown hair, then hugged him close.

“Aw, Mom, you always say stuff like that.”

“Because it’s true.” She clapped him on the back.

“How about we go out for some pizza to celebrate?” Peter said.

“All right. That’s my favorite,” Benji said with enthusiasm and a wide grin that exposed crooked front teeth.

“I didn’t know that.” Peter’s eyes grew large and he acted like he’d never heard that before.

“Yes, you did.” Benji rolled his eyes.

“You’re right. Pizza is your favorite meal and Cookies and Cream ice cream is your favorite dessert. Unless your mom makes her extra special brownies, then those are your favorite.”

Benji laughed. “Yep.”

“I still think you were the best one out there. And to be an orange belt at nine years old is pretty awesome.” Laura put her arm around her son. “Let’s get that pizza.”

At Pizza Palace, after placing their order, they sat at a shiny wooden table near a window. A mixture of baking bread and garlic scents wafted through the air. Benji slurped his soda while they waited for their pepperoni and sausage pizza. When it finally arrived, Benji gulped it down in a few bites. “Slow down there, honey,” Laura said. “You don’t have to eat the entire pizza in five minutes.”

“But I want to go play a video game.” He shoved a bite in his mouth. “Can I?”

Peter whipped out some tokens. “I thought you might ask.”

Benji grinned and took the gold-colored coins. “Thanks.”

“You’re so good to him,” Laura said taking a piece of pizza and placing it on her plate. “I’m glad we decided to move here by you.”

“Me too. It gives us more time together than when you lived in Orlando.”

Laura’s face saddened. “But he misses Grandma.”

Peter sipped his soda. “With any luck, I’ll convince her to move out here too. She doesn’t need that house anymore.”

“But that’s her home.” Laura took a bite of pizza.

“I know, but I worry about her living there alone.” Peter bit into his piece. “I try to see her as much as I can, but life is busy here.”

“Then I’m grateful you can squeeze in time for us.” Laura elbowed him.

“Of course.” Peter scanned the room and watched Benji playing a game. “I love spending time with Benji.”

“And he needs that.”

Peter looked at Laura. “I know I can’t ever replace Sam, but I want to help as much as possible. I know it’s been hard.”

“Yeah. It’s been pretty hard.” She picked a pepperoni off her slice and ate it. “I understood the risk of being a military wife, but I didn’t think about how it would affect my child. I knew Sam might not come home in an abstract sense, but I didn’t think that would actually happen. You know?” She swished her soda around the glass with her straw. “I never thought I’d be widowed, especially before I was thirty.”

Peter slung his arm around Laura. “I’m sorry. Sam was a great guy and he really loved you and Benji.”

“Yes, he did.” A wrinkle formed between her eyebrows. “And I don’t want Benji to forget his dad.”

“He won’t.” Peter wanted to reassure her.

Laura leaned her head against Peter’s shoulder. “I’m glad we have you.”

He smiled and said, “That’s what brothers are for.”