One small boy is already trying to lift Colby's hockey bag like it contains treasure.
"Careful," Colby says. "That thing weighs more than you."
"I'm strong," the kid says confidently.
The bag doesn't move.
Dex crouches down next to him.
"Excellent effort," he says. "You almost had it."
Natalie stands near the back of the gym beside the principal, trying to look like this situation is under control.
She fails.
Mostly because she's laughing.
Maddie sits cross-legged in the front row like she personally invited the circus.
"That's my dad," she tells the girl next to her for the sixth time.
Coach claps his hands once.
The sound echoes like a starting gun.
"Alright," he says. "Career Day."
The kids slowly sit.
Mostly.
Dex raises his hand.
"Before we begin, are we signing autographs or is this strictly educational?"
"Dex," Coach says.
"Right. Learning."
A girl in the front row raises her hand immediately.
"Why are you so tall?"
Colby answers.
"Milk. Vegetables. Genetics."
"Genetics?" she asks.
"It means my parents were tall," he says.
Another boy raises his hand.
"Do you fight people?"
"Sometimes," Dex says.
"Mr. Miller!" The teacher shouts.
