they can handle it. They don’t have to be worried or afraid of getting hurt because they can defend themselves. Even that tiny little bit of confidence can go a long way to warding off a bully.”
“How so?” she asked.
“Because a bully picks on the weak. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but Jace presents himself as a weak kid.”
She scowled at me. “He isn’t weak.”
“He isn’t strong.”
“Don’t be a jerk,” she shot back.
“I’m not trying to be a jerk. Jace is a timid kid. He sticks out because he is quiet and likes to stay in the background. That’s like candy to a bully. They are going to hone in on him. With a little confidence gained from the knowledge he can fight back if he has to, they aren’t going to see him as vulnerable. He has to be able to hold his head high and his shoulders back.”
She groaned and looked at her son in the ring. “I feel like I’m stealing his innocence.”
“You are giving him confidence. Those kids are stealing his innocence. It’s part of life. I imagine it’s hard to see your little boy grow up, but it’s happening.”
“I know, but I don’t want him to think life is about who can hit the hardest.”
“Isn’t it?” I countered. “Every single day, we deal with people who want to hit us when we’re down. I know in my business, it’s all about fighting every single day. I don’t always come to blows, but it gets down and dirty sometimes.”
“True, but this is different.”
“Saige, little boys box and wrestle. They get rough sometimes.”
She watched her son fight, wincing and cringing. He wasn’t in any danger, but I could understand why it would be painful to watch.
“He’s fast,” I said. “Look at him. He’s bouncing on the balls of his feet. He’s not afraid to step up to the man. That’s promising.”
“Nash, do me a favor,” she said. She reached over and touched my hand.
“What’s up?”
“Please don’t turn him into a fighting machine. I like my son just the way he is. I like that he is a little soft. I don’t want him to lose that side of himself because he is trying to live up to a stereotype. He can be a gentle boy.”
I nodded. “He can. Knowing how to fight back doesn’t make him less gentle. It’s about making him feel like he is strong enough. He can take care of himself if he has to. You said his friend stuck up for him, right?”
“Yes. Caitlyn. She’s a pretty, petite girl. She’s fierce though.”
“Because she’s confident,” he insisted.
“I suppose that’s true, but I can’t imagine Caitlyn using her fists.”
“Everyone is wired a little differently. She has a natural confidence. Jace has to work a little harder for his.”
I knew this was not what she wanted to hear. I didn’t blame her. Unfortunately, it was the way it was. I was only hoping I could make a small difference in the boy’s life. I didn’t want to turn him into a lean, mean, killing machine, but I wanted to show him he didn’t have to be afraid.
I’d lived his life. I had always been shy and uncertain of myself. I wasn’t always bullied, but my father did a great job tearing me down.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m going to trust you in this.”
Chapter 45
Saige
“I’m hungry,” Jace said after he was finished at the gym.
I turned to Nash. “Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“Do you want to grab an early dinner with us?” I asked him. It was forward. The guy was single and probably had plans for the night, but I was going to ask him anyway.
“I’d love to.”
“Really?” I asked with surprise.
“Did you want me to say no?” He laughed.
“No, I guess I’m surprised you don’t have plans.”
“I have nothing more important I’d rather do than dinner with you guys.”
I smiled and looked in the backseat. Jace was grinning. It was a completely different kid from this morning. I hated that a little time with Nash completely transformed him. “There is a fun pizza place with arcade games that we go to sometimes,” I said. “Do you feel up to bad pizza, loud noises, and screaming kids?”
He laughed. “You had me sold at bad pizza.”
I told him the name of the pizza place. I sat back and enjoyed the ride while thinking about my future. Jace’s happiness seemed hinged on the choices I made. I needed to figure out how to help him. He