Chapter 97

"You came when I needed you, Dad. Mitchell is healing, Dad. He's so brave. He killed the one shooter with his bare hands, then took the guy's guns and shot the other four. He saved all of us. He knew they'd shoot him when he entered the gym, but he came anyway. I just can't imagine knowingly entering a place where people will try to kill you. He's a real hero," Christine said.

"He's all of that," agreed Dan. "He could have simply left the area and been safe, but he took the much more difficult path. He put the lives of others before his own. That's pretty much the definition of hero. To think that I tried hitting him in the chin. What was I thinking?"

"As I recall, you were thinking that he had hurt your daughter, or dishonored her, and you acted as a good father would. Mitchell admires you for that. He told me he did. He always tells me what a good father I have. I guess he must miss his dad a lot and wants to be sure that I appreciate you and mom. I can't imagine what it must be l