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“Okay.” I nod, excited to get started. Patrick slides me a glance.
“Aren’t you going to ask me why the beginner level is the most crucial?”
“I wasn’t, but since you asked, why?”
“Because the beginner level teaches the foundations,” Patrick answers. “Those kids in the intermediate and advanced levels are only there because they got the foundation from the lessons in the beginner level.”
This time, I nod slowly. “Of course, you can’t move on without the foundation. I didn’t think of that.”
“I always take great care in picking the right instructor for the beginners,” Patrick continues. “It’s a tantamount position that must not be overlooked.”
We reach the beginner’s section again, and Patrick pauses a short distance away.
“I’ll excuse Thomas and take the kids this morning. You can watch me and continue for the rest of the afternoon. I have the syllabus and everything you need ready.”
“Okay.”
Patrick turns away from me, fixes a playful smile on his face, and jogs to the kids. “Who is ready for today’s lesson?”
“Me!” The kids yell.
“Amazing!” Patrick pats me on the shoulder. “This is your new instructor, Mr. Liam O’Connell. He’s one of the best instructors we have, and he’s going to take you through your session. Who’s excited?”
All the kids shout, and a smile breaks out across my face. For the first time this morning, my nerves settle. I feel a healing balm on my soul as I look at the faces of the kids before me. Throughout the morning, Patrick teaches them lessons on how to build a fire, and although not all of the kids successfully make one, the majority of them are successful.
At the end of the morning, Patrick gives them a break. I’m about to head to the cafeteria for breakfast when some of the kids run over to me.
“Mr. O’Connell.”
I turn and smile at the group. “Liam is fine.”
“I wasn’t able to build a fire,” a sandy-haired kid says with a slight frown on his face.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “You’ll learn eventually.”
“Can we pet your dog?”
“Sure.” I chuckle.
The kids get down on Tex’s level; he happily runs over to them. I can’t stop the smile from splitting my face as Tex licks their faces and wags his tail furiously as they pet him. I leave my dog with the kids and head to the cafeteria. It’s just past noon, and my stomach growls ferociously, protesting me skipping breakfast.
There’s a variety of food to choose from, and I opt for some rice, soup, and chicken. As I sit at one of the tables to eat my meal, a voice catches my attention.
“May I join you?”
I glance up to see Thomas smiling and holding a tray. I’ve spent a lot of time with people already, and I want some quiet time to recharge. But since it’s my first day at work, and I don’t want to be rude, I say yes.
Thomas sits across from me. “How did your morning go? I love working with the kids.”
“Yeah, they are pretty amazing. I think it went well.”
“That’s great! Were you in the military, too?” He asks, eating slowly.
“I was. You?”
Thomas nods. “Pretty much every staff member here was.”
“Oh, that’s right. Patrick mentioned that to me. What branch were you in?”
