Ten year old Jack Thornton sat on the edge of his bed. He was waiting for his father to come talk to him. Jack nursed his black eye that he received in the fight at school today. Jack heard a knock at his door. His father entered the room. His father had his peace officer uniform on.
His father did not say a word. He pulled up a chair and sat next to Jack.
"Your mother told me what happened. But I want to hear your side of the story" His father said.
"Buck was picking on Tom. He pushed Tom down on the ground. I saw it happened and went over there and punched Buck in the face." Jack said quietly.
Jack's father sighed and then smiled.
"I've seen Buck before. He is much bigger than you"
"I was only able to get the first punch in" Jack said.
Jack's father lifted up Jack's chin and looked at Jack's face.
"That shiner is going to take a while to heal" Jack's father said.
Jack nodded.
Jack's father was silent thinking about what to say to his son.
"I'm proud of you for sticking up for your brother, but you can't start fights. Once you start violence, it's hard to stop. There is too much violence in this world. I don't want you to contribute to that violence. You understand?" Jack's father said.
"Yes Sir" Jack said.
"I've talked it over with your mother and as a punishment, you are going to do extra chores around the house. And you will apologize to Buck. Shake his hand. Stop the violence." Jack's father said.
Jack nodded.
Jack's father kissed the top of Jack's head.
"I'll see you after my shift. Maybe tomorrow I can you show you a few of my boxing moves" Jack's father said pretending to box.
Jack laughed.
"Mind your mother. I love you Jack" His father said
"Yes. Sir. I love you too dad." Jack said
Later that night, there was hard knock on their front door. Jack crept out of bed and opened his door quietly. There were two men in uniform at the door. His mother was talking to them. All of sudden she started to sob and fall to the floor. Jack ran to his mother.
"What's wrong? Jack asked
"Your father was killed in the line of duty" His mother said between sobs.
"No! That's not true" Jack said.
"I'm sorry son" One of the men said.
"What's going on?" said a small voice. Jack and his mother turned around. It was his little brother Tom.
Jack's mother cried.
Jack went over to Tom and took him back into his room and sat him on his bed.
"Dad isn't coming home" Jack said with tears flowing down his eyes.
"Why not?" Tom asked.
"God called him home tonight" Jack said.
Tom started crying. Jack hugged him.
"It's going to be okay. I'm here. I'll always be here for you" Jack said soothing his brother.
His brother cried until he fell asleep in Jack's lap. Jack sat in his bed. Jack's whole life changed. He was now the man of the house and he would have to step up.