PART 17 – The Next Morning Caleb Asked Whether Being Brave Meant Never Feeling Afraid, and I Finally Told Him What I Had Learned

The morning after the breakfast, Caleb came downstairs earlier than usual.

I was already in the kitchen.

My coffee was beside the window.

He had his school backpack over one shoulder.

"Morning, Grandpa."

"Morning, sailor."

He smiled.

Then he sat at the kitchen island.

I noticed he was looking at the old photograph of Danny.

Jess had placed it on the counter the previous evening.

Caleb picked it up.

He studied it for a while.

Then he put it back carefully.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

He looked toward the window.

"Was Dad scared when he was in Afghanistan?"

I put my coffee down.

It was not an easy question.

But I knew he deserved an honest answer.

"I can't tell you exactly what he felt every moment, son."

Caleb nodded.

"But I know he was human. Being brave doesn't mean you never feel afraid."

He looked at me.

"Then how do you know you're brave?"

I thought about the young sailor who had become Admiral Carrick.

I thought about the fire on the carrier.

I thought about the years I had spent wearing a Navy uniform.

"You find a way to do what needs doing, even when you're frightened."

Caleb considered that.

"Like the admiral?"

"Like the admiral."

"And like Dad?"

I looked at Danny's photograph.

"Yes. Like your dad."

He picked up his backpack.

Then he stood.

"Okay."

I smiled.

"Have a good day."

He walked toward the door.

Just before leaving, he turned around.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you came with me."

I felt my throat tighten.

"Me too, son."

The door closed.

I remained at the kitchen island for a while.

I had spent years thinking that my job as a grandfather was to protect Caleb from the painful parts of life.

I was beginning to understand that I could not do that.

What I could do was make sure he never had to face those things believing he was alone.

Click here to continue reading: PART 18: The School’s Polite Note Had Been Put Away, but I Could Still Remember Every Word Written on That Small Piece of Paper