Chapter 19 - WORDS OF THE VETERAN
Damon looked at the card, then raised his eyes to meet Vance’s gaze.
"I appreciate the offer, Vance," Damon said softly. "But I'm teaching him myself. Basics only."
Vance nodded slowly, leaning his heavy weight against the doorframe. "I know you are. And from what I saw on my mat, he’s getting the best instruction in the state. But a boy needs peers, Damon. He needs to test his spirit against other kids his age, under supervision, so he knows he isn't alone."
Damon stayed silent, absorbing the older man's wisdom. Vance wasn't trying to sell a class; he was speaking as a father and a teacher who understood the human condition.
"I spoke to my brother Ray," Vance added quietly, the rain pattering against the roof above them. "He runs that underground mess downtown."
Damon’s eyes narrowed by a fraction of a millimeter. "Is there a problem?"
"No," Vance answered firmly. "Ray knows who you are now. Or rather... he knows what you represent. He deleted the security feed from the gym. He told his boys that if anyone mentions your name or comes near this road, he’ll personally break their collarbones. You're safe here, Damon."
Damon wiped the last trace of oil from his thumbs, setting the shop rag down.
"I was always safe, Vance," Damon said softly, a subtle undertone of terrifying reality lingering behind his gentle voice. "It was them I was worried about."
Vance let out a dry, raspy chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah. I suppose that's true. A wolf living among sheep doesn't fear the foxes."
Vance stepped back out under his umbrella, preparing to return to his car. He paused at the edge of the driveway, looking back over his shoulder.
"He’s a good kid, Damon," Vance said, referring to Evan. "You're raising him right. The world out there... it's getting louder and angrier every day. But as long as men like you stay in the shadows, keeping the line... there's still hope."
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"Goodnight, Vance," Damon said simply.
"Goodnight, shadow," Vance replied, turning and walking back through the rain to his sedan.
