“You’re on your own now, kid,” McCrea said. “If you need any broken bones set, come find me and I’ll do my best.” He slipped away.

After two minutes had passed, Victoria broke free from her meeting and walked over to her son. “Let’s go outside,” she said.

Caleb followed her out onto the porch. When she sat in one of the rockers, she tapped the arm of the one next to her.

This wasn’t right at all. She seemed way too calm. The redness that always rose around her ears when she was pissed wasn’t there. Caleb didn’t understand.

“I got worried when I saw you weren’t still asleep in Maggie’s front room,” she said.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but I needed—”

“Don’t,” she said. “There’s no need. I know exactly what happened. You wanted a fight, and you somehow found out that one was available. How did you do?”

He scowled. “I don’t know how to answer that.”

“Were you brave?”

This was so not what he thought it was going to be. “I hope so,” he said.

“Did you fight?”

“Yes.”

“Clearly, you won because you’re here, and the gang is not. Did they fight back?”

He answered with a nod.

“Did they shoot back?”

“Yes.”

“And did you shoot?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Head shots, like we practiced?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He looked down. “I killed two of them.”

She bobbed her head a little. “That’s what happens when you shoot people in the head. Look at me.”

Caleb sat tall and met her gaze.

“You did what you had to do. Are you okay with that?”

He started to give a glib answer, but then he stopped himself. He owed honesty. “How can I know?”

She gave a warm smile and patted his hand. “There literally is no honest answer to that question.” She sighed and sat back in the rocker, crossing her legs. “These are very strange times, aren’t they, Caleb? Everything that made sense yesterday seems wrong today, and much of what seemed wrong has become okay. Are you following me?”

He nodded, but it was a lie.

“You’re a man now,” she said. “I know that sounds corny and melodramatic, but it’s the truth. It’s not a testosterone thing, either. I should say you’re an adult now. It’s your responsibility to do what it takes to provide for yourself and your family. To a lesser extent, for your friends.”

“Concentric circles,” Caleb said.

“Exactly that. Nothing’s going to be easy anymore. I’m proud that you stepped up today.”

Okay, now it was time for pigs to fly. “You’re proud?”

“Yes, I am. You stepped up. You risked something. You risked everything. And you came home alive and unhurt. That’s a lot for me to be proud of. And you should be proud, too.”