Page 9 of The Spy Ring

“Yes, I mean no.” He paused and held his breath. I expected him to continue but he didn’t.

“We do have a room with some equipment in it. Perhaps you would like to see it, and then you can get started with David.”

I stood and helped David up. As we moved toward the hallway, I turned my head to find Jagger still in the leather chair

“Mr. Jagger. Are you coming?”

His jaw tightened as he stood and it seemed painful for him to answer, “Yes.”

Once we stepped into what used to be the master bedroom, David leaned against a wall as I waved my hand around.

“As you can see, we have a bucket of various sized medicine balls, hand and foot weights, foam rollers, a few PT bars, a balance board, the three steps in the corner with a handrail,” I moved to the larger equipment, “and our newest item, the treadmill.”

“Wow. You’re really serious about all this.” Jagger chuckled and gazed around the room.

What was wrong with him?

“Yes, I take my son’s health very seriously, Mr. Jagger.”

“It’s Chance.”

“What?” I asked.

“My name. It’s Jagger Chance. So, I would be Mr. Chance. But feel free to call me Jagger.”

I was about to call him a few other names too, but Jagger decided now would be the best time to finally start talking.

“This stuff is awesome. You’re one lucky kid, David.” Jagger winked at my son.

Lucky? He had the audacity to call my son lucky? Did he really think my son was lucky to have an idiot for a therapist?

My jaw fell open. I was in such shock that I couldn’t even form words.

“Huh?” David said, and I was grateful my son was confused.

“Imagine all the sick moves you can learn with this stuff. I bet you know some cool ninja moves.” Jagger went over and grabbed a blue foam roller, placing it on the black mat that covered our beige carpet.

He then took a red PT bar and swung it around between his arms. Finally, he rolled his body over the foam and hopped back up as if he were in a movie battle.

“Cool,” David said and walked over to him.

Jagger gave him the red bar, and David tried to imitate his moves but the bar quickly fell from his hands.

“Let me break it down for you. It took me a while to learn this, too.” Jagger bent down to pick up the stick.

“You’re a ninja?” David said with wide eyes.

“Not quite, but I did learn tae kwon do and parkour. Which is what you need if you ever decide to be a ninja.”

“I don’t know if that’s appropriate for David. He’s still building his strength and core muscles.” I crossed my arms, worried that this would be too much on my son.

But the look in David’s eyes had me doubting myself. I was used to protecting him; it’s my job as a mom. But he wasn’t a little boy anymore.

“Mom, please,” David said with a tone filled with worry bordering on desperation.

I stood there staring at my son and realized for the first time that my job had changed. It still included protecting him, but the job description grew to include letting him take risks so he could learn to be a man.

I let my arms fall as I faced Jagger’s mossy green eyes. “All right. As long as you make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“I’ll make sure everything I do with him is safe. When I’m done with him, he won’t need protection from the most evil of villains,” Jagger said with a wink.

I could feel the heat in my cheeks and wondered if it was because there would be a day when my son no longer needed me.

Or, perhaps, it was the tall man with the strong arms watching me for slightly longer than he should.

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