Page 1 of Navigating His Heart
CHAPTER1
BOWING CANNON
Bowing grew up in the best family. With his great parents, his awesome older brother, Jet, and his adorable younger sister, Aria.
It was always fun, happy, and an adventure. Their dad was a pilot for a commercial company and was once in the Air Force before meeting his wife and having kids.
His life revolved around flying, which is why all the kids had flying or air-type names.
People weren’t always polite when they found out his full name or his older brother’s name was Jet.
Bo didn’t like the mocking. He didn’t choose his name, and since his dad flew in Boeing airplanes the most, he understood it and appreciated it.
But he often wouldn’t stand by, letting the boys mock him, so he got in fights with the boys who thought it was hilarious.
His mom would come and patiently sit in the school, listening as the principal told her that if he kept fighting, he would be expelled, and Bo would grit his teeth and vow to do better next time.
He didn’t like having a temper about something as silly as his name.
But he couldn’t help it. His dad had given him that name for a reason, and he was proud of it.
After his mom came out of the office, disappointment lined her features. Bo told himself that he wouldn't fight again.
And wouldn't let anyone get to him.
And he did well for a few weeks, at least.
Until the biggest bully in school decided to mock Aria, his little sister, who his mom brought every day when she picked him up, and the fact that she had cerebral palsy. That she either walked with tiny hand crutches or sat in her wheelchair.
That he refused to take, Aria was off-limits, and he attacked the boy, punching him repeatedly.
Two teachers had to pull them apart, and Bo was sent to the office and was given a one-week suspension, the same as the other boy.
A few of the kids had overheard the bully mocking Aria and how Bo had deliberately asked him to stop before the kid did it again.
He was glad at least that they had come to his defense.
That was how he met West.
West was new to the school and had been held back from the fight by a boy that looked a few years younger than West but had the same color eyes.
Bo had a feeling it was his brother, and he was glad that West hadn’t been in the fight as well. He didn’t want anyone to be in trouble on his behalf.
When his mom came to speak to the principal again, Bo sat with his head held high.
He knew he should have felt bad, but he didn’t. No one was allowed to speak about Aria in a bad way. She hadn’t done anything wrong and didn’t deserve to be teased when she wasn’t even in school with them yet.
When his mom led him from the school, she got in the car and then turned to look at him, “The principal told me a little of what happened. But I want to hear it from you.”
Bo felt his chin drop, “I told myself I wasn’t going to keep fighting, but mom, this kid was talking bad about Aria. He said she was stupid and that you guys should have had her aborted. It would have been easier on all of us if you had. Some of the kids tried to hold me back, but I couldn’t take it. Aria is my little sister and I love her. I know she can’t say anything in her own defense.”
His mom sat in her seat for a second, “You are a good boy Bo. I love you. And I know you love Aria. I do too. I’m grateful we have her. I’m proud of you for taking a stand. For showing people that bullies never win. Just next time, don’t use fists. Okay? I don’t like seeing bruises on my son. Even if he did it for all the right reasons.”
Bo nodded, and his mom backed out of the parking spot, “Let’s get some ice cream.”
Bo grinned, and his mom laughed, “What? I know I should be upset that you got in yet another fight, but it was for the right reasons.”
Bo laughed a little, and after that day, Bo didn’t fight again.
