The following day, William and I planned to take a shopping trip for new clothes for the both of us. Originally, I planned to have a sitter watch Charlie while we were gone, but he begged to come with us. In the history of being a mother to Charlie, never once has he pleaded to go clothes shopping. I had to take him up on the offer; who knew the next time he’d ask?

“Grab your iPad and anything else you want to bring along. We're leaving in about twenty minutes."

“Yes, Mama!” Charlie shouted from his bedroom.

In the short time Charlie was away, he already seemed a little bit more mature and carried a little less baby fat in his face. How did that happen? And how could I make it stop? I didn't want to think about my baby becoming a man, but I knew it would happen someday whether I liked it or not.

I packed a few bananas and bottles of water in my tote as a knock on the door rapped lightly.

"Come in!"

William opened the door, revealing large bags had taken residence under his eyes.

"Hey! Everything okay? You look a little tired."

"Didn't sleep much." He shrugged.

"Is there something wrong with the house?” Nerves crept into my consciousness. I worried how William would handle the new place.

"No, no. Not at all. Just... Not used to it yet."

I nodded and decided not to press any further.

Charlie burst out of his room and ran toward William, only to pump the brakes before he crashed right into him.

"Hiya, Charlie."

"Hey, William! Mama said we're going shopping. Are you going to buy new toys?"

William cracked a smile. "I wish, but I think the shopping might be a little boring."

"That's okay." Charlie shrugged and reached for the coat rack to grab his winter jacket. "Let's go!"

I'd never seen Charlie warm up to someone new so quickly. His comfort reduced my anxiety somewhat; I wasn’t sure it was appropriate to have Charlie and William together so soon, but since they already met, a little more interaction couldn’t hurt, right?

Ten minutes later, we were packed into my SUV and headed toward the outlet mall just outside of the city. I hadn’t gone yet, but I figured it would be a great place to start with the basics. The drive took less than an hour, and the duration was spent listening to Charlie bombard William with questions. For once, I asked him to play his game and stop talking so much. I didn't want William to get annoyed with my kid the first day they spent together! I loved Charlie, but he was a persistent little bugger.

"What's your favorite movie? What's your favorite food? I like pizza, how about you?"

William seemed to get a kick out of him, which warmed my heart like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. Or, at least he pretended to, which was fine for now.

When we arrived, I groaned loudly. It seemed as though everyone and their mothers decided to come shopping today. William’s demeanor also changed drastically as we parked the car. Droves of families headed toward the mall doors. I hadn’t remembered William’s shyness in public places. Silence washed over him as his body stiffened.

"Well, ready, everyone?"

Charlie bounced up and down, and William looked uneasy but nodded all the same.

"All right. Let's do this."

We chose to start the adventure with a trip into Macy’s. Even though William specifically asked for a few new pieces of clothing, I thought he could use a new bed set, too. The halfway house was a great place for William to become accustomed to “normal” life again, but his room was a tad shabby. His sheets, gray and worn, looked as though they’d been used for several years. I didn’t doubt they were clean, but a new set couldn’t hurt.

"What about this one?" I showed him a soft turquoise comforter set with matching sheets.

He shrugged. "It's okay."

"Well, do you like it?"

William nodded solemnly, and I put it in the cart.

"Is everything okay?" I asked in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"You just seem a little quiet is all. You still want to shop, right?"

"Yeah. Just tired."

"Sure." I narrowed my eyes, but he walked away. I knew something was up with William, but couldn't put my finger on it. Again, men are way more complicated than women. He made his way over to Charlie, who, much to my dismay, bounced up and down as he pointed toward a Superman bed set.

"Not today, kiddo," I scolded him gently and smiled.

William sighed and headed toward the living room section of the store. He was about ten paces ahead of us when Charlie tugged on my coat.

"What is it?"

"Why is William sad?"

I cleared my throat. "Why do you think he's sad, honey?"

"I can tell by his eyes."

I'd seen the sadness too, though I wasn't entirely sure why he could be downtrodden today. It was a new beginning for him: new job, new place to live. I thought he’d be a little more comfortable in public places by now.

Around lunch time, we decided to load up the car with what we could for now and try to find a bite to eat. I saw a pizza place around the corner when we drove here, so I suggested it to the boys, and they happily agreed. The mall’s food court appeared far too crowded. Not only did I want William to be comfortable, but I didn’t want to wait in line for a half hour for a food court lunch.

The pizza place, small and family-owned, revealed the scent of wafting spices and fresh mozzarella. Family portraits covered the walls, and a toy machine with a mechanical crane stood in the corner beside an soda fountain.

"What would you like on your personal pan, Charlie?"

"Cheese, pineapple, and mushrooms!"

I wrinkled my nose, wondering where this kid came from. "Are you sure?"

"Duh, Mom. It's so good."

"You're the pickiest eater I know," I reminded him.

"It's good. I promise."

Where had he consumed those toppings on a pie before? Probably with Cal. He was poisoning his mind and taste buds.

"If you say so, but I don't wanna hear about how it's gross, and you want something else."

"I won't, Mama."

"What about you, William?"

"Uh, I'm not hungry.” William stared at the floor.

"I thought you said you wanted pizza?” I swore I heard his stomach rumbling earlier.

"I did, but um, I don't have any money, and these prices are crazy."

"William, stop." I put my hand on his chest. "It's my treat."

"You're always treating me," he mumbled sourly.

"It’s because I want to!"

"I'm not a charity case, Amelia!" He roared as a vein protruded in his forehead.

Patrons and workers alike turned to stare at the commotion. My stomach dropped as heat flooded to my cheeks.

"I don't think you're a charity case, William. I'm just trying to help,” I whispered.

"Well, maybe you should stop. I don't deserve your help. I don't deserve any of this!" His voice rose over the hustle and bustle of the pizza parlor.

"Hey, don't yell at my Mama!" Charlie chirped.

William sighed and walked out of the pizza place toward the car. I wanted to go after him, but I couldn't leave Charlie. I figured he could use some space and fresh air, so I let him go. Charlie and I ate our pizza by the window just so I could keep an eye on William from the inside. He chose to sit by the car with his head in his hands. I wish I knew what he was thinking or what he was feeling, but truth be told, I couldn't. I'd never been homeless or a veteran. I had no idea what was going on inside his mind. I'm sure it couldn't be easy to adjust to a new and different life so quickly, but I was only helping him out of the goodness of my heart. He knew that? Right?

"I told you he was sad, Mama," Charlie said as he finished his last slice.

"I know, sweetie. I know he is."

"Did something bad happen to him?"

"Well, it's kind of complicated."

"I'm almost ten. I think I can handle it." He rolled his eyes.

Maybe he was right. I couldn't baby him forever. "William didn't have a home for a while."

"What do you mean?"

"He was living outside," I said carefully.

"Like in the cold?"

I nodded.

"Where would he sleep?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I think he slept on a bench sometimes."

"That's sad." Charlie put his pizza crust down, and a tear slid down his cheek.

I pulled him into my lap. "It is sad, but wanna know what's great about William?"

"Huh?"

"He was in the Army, and he went to war. He's a hero and risked his life to keep us all safe."

"Wow!" Charlie said with his mouth agape. "Like Captain America?"

"Something like that." I smiled.

"He's my hero," Charlie said.

"Who is? Captain America?"

"No, Mama. William."

At that moment, I knew I was raising my son right, and my heart burst with love. Charlie and I shared something in common: William was my hero, too. Whatever he was dealing with now, we'd find a way to get through it together.