Chapter 9 - LEAVING THE MAT
Damon stepped off the padded mat, his feet touching the cool concrete floor.
He reached down, picked up his gray canvas work shirt, and pulled it back over his shoulders, buttoning it up to cover his athletic frame and scarred skin once more. He slid his feet into his heavy battered work boots, methodically fastening the steel buckles until he looked like an ordinary maintenance man again.
Evan walked over slowly, standing beside his father. "Dad..." Evan whispered, his voice filled with shock. "Where did you learn to do that?"
Damon looked down at his son, his expression instantly softening into the warm, gentle posture of a loving father. He reached out, gently smoothing down Evan’s messy brown hair.
"I learned that a long time ago, Evan," Damon said quietly. "To make sure I could always protect the people I care about."
He took Evan’s small hand in his large, calloused grip. "Come on. Let's go home and get dinner."
As Damon turned to guide his son toward the glass exit doors, he paused, turning his head back toward the bleachers one last time.
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The older veteran in the Marine Corps cap was still standing at the railing, watching Damon with deep, silent respect. As Damon met his eyes, the veteran slowly raised his right hand to his temple, giving Damon a sharp, formal, crisp military salute.
Damon gave the veteran a single, subtle nod of acknowledgment—a silent pact between two brothers in arms—before turning away.
