“Mom.”

Sonny came running in his gym uniform.

“Sonny, you’re back.”

With a smile, Liberty went up and picked her son up.

“How was it? Do you feel tired? Did you cry?”

Sonny shook his head. “I didn’t cry, but I do feel tired.”

“Oh, you’re tired. Let me kiss your tiredness away. You must stick to the classes.” Liberty was concerned that her son could not keep up with the workout. She gave her son a kiss and reminded him to hang on so as not to disappoint Zachary after all he did for Sonny.

Sonny was exhausted and tempted to quit, but his uncle’s words were imprinted in his mind. By taking up the art of self-defense, he no longer had to be afraid of bad guys. He could also protect his mother.

He wanted to be the manly man and shield his mom from all harm.

Sonny gave a firm nod. “I will stick to the class, Mom.”

Jim entered the diner too.

“Ms. Hunt.”

He said hello to Liberty.

“Thank you, Jim.”

Jim smiled. “Don’t mention it, Ms. Hunt.”

It was his duty to drop of