Warrior Child

By Debbie McIntyre

"The bat hit something. . . standing there with blood gushing from his head was Jimmy. He stared at Ted for just a moment before collapsing onto the ground." 

Ted and Jimmy are brothers spending the weekend at their father's house for the first time since their parents' divorce five years earlier. At six years old, Jimmy is excited, b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jan 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781637696972

Book preview

Chapter 1

WALKING ON EGGSHELLS,

STEPPING ON GLASS

The young man awoke, startled, unaware of what had jarred him out of sleep. He had been standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking a mighty rushing river that calmed momentarily at the foot of the rocks below him. Mesmerized by its contrasts, he had watched the waves foaming and leaping over one another in their hurry to get downstream, like school children rushing to get to the front of the line. But sharply the river turned, and the inlet it encountered seemed to suck the energy of the waves into its depths leaving its surface calm and smooth. The water there was unusually clear, and he could see to the bottom of the deep inlet. As he watched the fish swimming to and fro, something deep within him longed to jump, experience the freedom of the fall and feel the cool refreshing water splash as he entered the river. He tried to work up the nerve to spring out into the open air. He stepped to the edge, closed his eyes and began to count backwards, Three, two, one. But as his feet left the ground, it was as if a large hand reached into his dream and pulled him back to reality with a jolt. Suddenly awake but tired and confused, he lay groggily in bed trying to wade through the fog of this new-found morning.

This wasn’t his bed. This wasn’t his room. Where was he? And why was he suddenly awake as if by some switch that had been turned on in the deepest part of his being? He lay there trying to remember the events of the day before, but as they began to form in his mind, he wished that he had just let them stay in the mist and haze. He longed to go back to the exhilaration of the cliff, but it was gone. Reality was here.

He was at his father’s house. The pain of the realization went deep into his heart. He and his little brother had come last night. His younger brother, Jimmy, had been so excited to see their daddy and meet his new wife. But Ted wasn’t as ready to jump on the bandwagon. The hurt and rejection of his father’s departure, supposedly buried long ago, was poking its ugly head up once again.

Why can’t you be more careful? The yell came from the kitchen.

"Oh, what has Jimmy done now?" thought Ted. Jimmy was an adorable, fun-loving, hilarious six-year-old, but he was only six and focus was not one of his strengths.

Ted sat up and threw back the flowered covers. They were not the preference of a fourteen-year-old young man, but he would survive. After all, this was only for two nights, and then he would be back in his own bedroom again. He was already looking forward to it. As he pulled himself out of bed, the yelling began again. Memories came flooding into his mind as he hurried to the kitchen. So many times, his father had made him feel stupid, irresponsible, incompetent or most often just invisible. He clenched his fists. Now was not the time to trudge through the past. Jimmy needed him.

After rounding the corner of the kitchen at full speed, he stopped in his tracks. Suddenly, he realized what had jerked him out of deep sleep. The glass pitcher that had previously contained orange juice was laying in a thousand pieces all over the ceramic tile floor. Orange juice was splattered pretty much everywhere. The white cabinets, the stainless-steel refrigerator and oven, even the chair and table legs, and of course most of the floor were victims of the orange juice’s sticky spray. Jimmy stood there with tears running down his face and orange juice running down his pajamas. The barrage of words had pushed him back, not physically but emotionally, into a place where he just wanted to run away. Unconsciously, he stepped backward as if to retreat and stepped on a small piece of glass. He flinched and the blood trickled from the wound.

Dad, he’s hurt! Jimmy, don’t move!

Ted grabbed some flip-flops by the door. Sliding them onto his feet, he quickly but carefully made his way to Jimmy and scooped him up.

At fourteen, Ted was neither a boy nor a man. His recent growth spurt had caused his frame to become quite slender, but he was strong, and he picked Jimmy up easily and hurried to the bathroom.

Their new stepmom followed and quickly produced tweezers, disinfectant, bandages and gauze. Ted set Jimmy on the bathroom counter and, tucking her short blonde hair behind her ears, their stepmom quickly went to work, gently removing the small piece of glass, cleaning the wound and bandaging his foot.

Patting Jimmy on the leg, she said, Good as new. Well, it will be. But you will probably have to eat breakfast in the family room in front of the TV. Jimmy’s eyes lit up. And in order for your foot to heal properly, you must have control of the remote. She winked and smiled at Jimmy and asked Ted to carry him to the couch. She met them there with a TV tray and a soft, warm blanket. After propping Jimmy up with some pillows, she returned to the kitchen to get him something to eat.

Ted watched her go. She was still a mystery to him. He had only met her last night, and he hadn’t really come with an open heart. He already had a mom. He didn’t need or want another one! And what kind of a person would marry a man who had abandoned his kids? Before Ted had arrived at the house, he had been certain that she must be an awful person, but now? He had spent most of the previous night avoiding eye contact and conversation with both her and his dad, but her kindness to Jimmy in the aftermath of his dad’s harsh words had turned his heart toward her. It was uncomfortable. It felt almost disloyal to his mom.

Ted. Jimmy’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. My blanket is slipping.

Ted came over to tuck it around him even though he knew Jimmy didn’t really care about the blanket. There was something in his big brown eyes that reached out longingly for his big brother’s attention. Reaching up, Jimmy gave him a hug.

I’m sorry about the orange juice. I was just trying to help.

Don’t worry about it, buddy. It’s just a pitcher, and a little mess that can be cleaned up. I’m sorry Dad made a huge deal about it, Ted replied sitting down beside him.

Do you think he’s still mad at me?

Nah, he just reacted. I’m sure he’s fine now. Ted hoped he sounded convincing.

He might not like me anymore.

Jimmy, you’re his son. He loves you. The words felt hollow as he said them, as if their very utterance uncovered a hole into the deep recesses of his heart. I better go see if your breakfast is ready.

Ted got up mostly in an effort to run from the pain. He was almost to the doorway when Jimmy’s words hit him.

Thanks Ted. You’re always there for me.

CHAPTER 2

ESCAPE TO THE

BACKYARD

After two hours of watching cartoons with Jimmy, Ted grew restless. What was the point of being there if they were just going to sit on the couch by themselves and watch TV?

Jimmy, you want somethin’ to drink? he asked as he headed toward the kitchen.

Nah, I’m good.

Ted entered the kitchen. It barely resembled the disaster area he had encountered that morning. The orange juice and glass were completely cleaned up and the dishes were done. It sparkled like a TV commercial. Not sure why he was even in the kitchen, Ted paused. His stepmom poked her head out of the laundry room in the hall off to his right.

Are you looking for your dad? Or do you want something to eat? she asked sweetly. There was no frustration or annoyance in her voice. No one would ever suspect that an unexpected kitchen clean-up had taken a chunk of time out of her Saturday morning.

Ted didn’t really know what to say. He was kind of looking for his dad, but he didn’t necessarily want to find him. He was still angry with him about this morning and life in general, but he was bored. He didn’t really know what he wanted.

Yeah, I guess I’m looking for Dad, he muttered, not really wanting to admit it.

He’s in the backyard. Hesitantly, she added, He doesn’t know what to do about this morning. I think he feels like he messed everything up.

He kind of did that five years ago, Ted mumbled to himself as he headed out the back door.

The cool air blew his brown hair as soon as he stepped through the door, and he ran his fingers through it in an attempt to get it out of his eyes. Walking to the edge of the patio, he looked out at the backyard. He loved the fall. The sun was still warm on his face but the breeze was refreshing and crisp. Preparing for hibernation, the huge trees had begun their autumn ritual. Beautiful reds and yellows highlighted the last remaining green leaves hanging onto the remnants of summer. Only a few daring leaves had been brave enough to take the initial jump into freedom. They lay scattered on the once vibrant grass. Surveying the backyard, Ted didn’t see his dad, so he sat down on a chair, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Ah, peace. It was amazing how just being outside could calm the confusion of his heart.

Soaking in the sun, Ted didn’t know how long he sat and relaxed, but eventually he heard a familiar whistle around the side of