Arthur hid a smile. She knew what to expect from Jordan.
“Sure!”
Maybe the lure of cartoons was enough to perk him up.
“Andyou have to go when Arthur tells you, even if the cartoon isn’t finished yet.”
“OK.” A little less enthusiasm now.
Arthur calculated the distance to school. It wasn’t far, but Jordan didn’t walk fast—at least he hadn’t yesterday. It would take about twenty minutes, which meant he’d have to leave just before the hour when any cartoon would be finishing. He’d be the bad guy.
When they finished breakfast, Gretchen handed Arthur a key to the house. “Come and go as you please.” She hesitated and then showed him a photo on her phone. “This is Kurt.”
Kurt was smirking, but his eyes were hard. He wore a black singlet which showed off the rose tattoo on his shoulder with a name scrawled underneath. Jordan looked about three and played with some blocks on the ground behind him, but was smiling at the camera. They were in a living room and the massive television in the background took up most of the wall.
Arthur committed Kurt’s features to memory. “Thanks.” He walked her to the door and, after checking Jordan was in his room, Arthur kissed her. “Have a good day.”
She smiled. “You too.”
He waited on the step until she drove away and scanned the neighbourhood. Not much movement. An older woman he recognised from the grocery store walked her dog, and a couple of school kids rode their bikes. No Kurt. He went back inside, locking the door behind him. Jordan was already in front of the TV, still in his pyjamas. Arthur grinned. “Didn’t Gretchen say something about being ready for school before watching television?”
Jordan peeked over his shoulder, a very guilty expression on his face. “Just one?”
It was so very tempting to say yes. He didn’t want to be inflexible and exacting like his father, but he also wanted to respect Gretchen’s wishes. “You can keep the tele on while you make lunch.”
Jordan nodded and headed for the kitchen.
While Jordan took ages putting together a sandwich, spending most of his time staring at the television rather than at the bread he was buttering, Arthur took off his prosthetic leg. He sighed in relief as it came away and he rubbed the raw skin.
“Does it hurt?” Jordan had finished preparing his lunch and returned to the living area.
“Sometimes.” He massaged the scar like Gretchen had shown him. “It’s nice to let it breathe.”
“Do you sleep with it on?”
“Not normally, but I did last night.”
“Why?”
“I wouldn’t be much use protecting you if I had to take five minutes to put on my leg.”
Jordan cocked his head. “It didn’t take that long at the beach.”
“No, but it’s also not as quick as jumping to my feet.” He waved Jordan towards his room. “Go, finish getting ready and you can time me when you get back.”
The boy ran off, the cartoons forgotten as he’d been tempted by something far more unusual.
Arthur sighed. This was his new normal. He needed to accept and get better at preparing himself, taking care of the site, and strengthening his muscles. Gretchen’s and Jordan’s lives could depend on him.
The thought gave him motivation, and he moved through the mobility exercises Gretchen had given him.
Jordan jogged into the room, his hair damp and wearing his yellow and brown school uniform. “Did I miss it?”
Arthur shook his head. “No. Have you brushed your teeth?”
Jordan spun around and ran back to the bathroom.
Arthur chuckled. The boy was great. He waited until Jordan returned before he explained each element of his prosthesis.
