The Runaway Groom

After thinking about it for a long while, Tommy eventually said, "I want to learn how to shoot.”

Irene was speechless while Tommy continued, miming firing a gun. “I saw it on TV. They were like—whoosh!—and hit the bull's eye. That's so cool!”

His little round eyes lit up as he spoke.

Boys would always be boys!

Still, Irene asked, "Don't you think you're too young? Maybe wait another year?"

Tommy shook his little head. "I can use something small."

"Alright, I'll ask around," Irene said. "Let's see if there's anything children like you can learn.”

Then, her tone changed as she said, "Alright, let's start today's lesson!" "Aren't we going to learn how to shoot?" Tommy asked.

“I don't know how to do it, so I can't teach you. I'll ask some people later, to see where you can learn," Irene explained patiently, watching him. "You have to learn what I teach even after you learn how to shoot. You'd have less time to play.”

Tommy's little eyes widened. "I'm just a kid. This is so stressful.”

Irene smiled. "You have a little brother, and that makes you a big boy, so you should act like one!"

picked him up to let him sit on her lap. “You'll grow up to become

Tommy quickly replied, "Yes."

gave him a bear

when they are adults, they would miss the carefree life of their younger days and

was as if troubles

Tommy asked, looking up at her

his eyes. Irene stared

was just brimming with

she feel

played every trick you played before—can't fool me," Irene said, putting him in his seat at

pretending. Was he trying

understand that adults were children once and would have done what they

see through

say anything, Tommy turned and asked,

Maybe Mommy would not keep her eyes on him 24/7

for a moment and sighed ever so subtly—she had no idea how Isaac was doing,

you should call

at the boy. "Did you think you