Page 203 of Fly's Path

“Cool. So being my mentor means you’re my protector too…kind of like a dad is supposed to be.”

“Yeah, kind of like that.”

“Cool, then I probably shouldn’t tell you I’m going on a date with this boy.”

Everett did it. He got up the nerve to ask her. Way to go.

“He’s a biker…which you’re probably okay with since you’re one.”

A biker? “Who are you going out with?”

“His name is Saber. Isn’t that cool?”

Saber? Um, no, not cool. That kid is going through some things. “I thought his bike needed some repairs?”

“Yeah, he’s going to steal one of his dad’s for the night.”

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Saber’s dad and I need to have a conversation. “Focus. What do you see?”

“Van, I want you to know that I love you more than anything in the world.”Lola’s words ring out loud and clear in my ear.

The busy street flows around us. Teaching Jett to see things within chaos is a skill that takes practice and time.

“I see a single irritated mom who would be an easy mark. That businessman probably has a wad of cash in his pocket.”

He does. “Waste of time.”

“What? That’s a thick stack.”

“If you’re going to steal, don’t target the guy with ones and fives for his strip club visit. Not only is it unsanitary, it’s a waste of time. But we aren’t here to learn to steal. You’re here to learn to see.”

Vandal and Lola start kissing. It’s tempting to turn off the sound on my earbuds to give my brother the privacy he deserves.

“I see just fine.”

“Do you? Have you picked the murderer out of the group? Have you picked the guy out who is stalking that guy in the red tie?”

“What? No. Where?” Jett’s head snaps around as she starts scanning the crowd more intensely.

“Slow down and focus on the details. It’s all about the little things people forget to hide.”

“I’m focused…unlike an old person like you…oh, I see him. What do we do? Do we take the guy out?”

“We do nothing. This class is just about seeing the world around us. Keep looking.” But I might do something later on my own.

“Fine. Whatever, but it would be cool to take out that killer guy.”

Jett is going to give me gray hairs for sure.

A gunshot rings out.

I push Jett behind me as I try to figure out where it came from.

Another closer one blasts through me.

“What are you doing? Have you gone crazy?” Jett pokes my back with her finger.

There’s no panic. No one is ducking.