Chapter 3

I lowered my head, taking a few deep, shaky breaths. When I looked up again, my face was completely expressionless. "Mr. Gomez, please keep watching Clark and Tanya for me."

I pulled out another, thicker envelope. "And I need you to handle something else. I want to sponsor Caleb at the orphanage anonymously.

"I want to cover everything, from tuition to living expenses, and make sure he gets the best of everything.

"But neither he nor the orphanage can ever know who's behind it. Handle all the arrangements yourself, make sure no one traces it back to me."

Cristian gave me another look and nodded. "No problem."

As I stepped out of the coffee house, the sunlight was blinding. I pulled out my phone and stared at the lock screen, a photo of Tyler grinning like nothing in the world could ever bother him.

I tapped his cheek on the screen, my touch gentle. 'Game on, my good boy.'

First step: I'd make sure he grew up healthy and happy.

*****

"Tyler, come here and try this. It's the new double-cheese, extra-gooey burger." I grinned as I slid the massive burger, stacked with patties, cheese, and crispy onion rings, right in front of Tyler, who was now five and a half years old.

Next to it was a mountain of fries, dusted with salt and cheese powder, and a giant 50-ounce cup of ice-cold Coke.

Tyler's eyes sparkled as he grabbed the burger and took a huge bite, sauce smearing all over his face.

Our housekeeper, Nataly, leaned in and whispered, worry in her voice, "Mrs. Rollins, isn't all this fried food a bit much for a kid? I read in a book that it's not healthy"

"Nataly." I cut her off, my smile never fading but my tone firm. "All kids eat fast food these days. What matters most is that they're happy. Tyler's growing. He needs to eat more so he'll get big and strong."

I grabbed a napkin and gently wiped the sauce from Tyler's mouth. "Right, baby? Is it yummy?"

"So good. Mom, you're the best," Tyler mumbled with his cheeks stuffed, and then chugged a big gulp of Coke.

When Clark came home that evening and saw the burger boxes still sitting on the table, he frowned. "You let Tyler eat this again? Didn't the doctor say we should watch his nutrition?"

I was wiping Tyler's hands when I heard him. I looked up, giving Clark a mix of innocent hurt and stubbornness. "It's once in a while.

"Today, a kid named Zack pushed Tyler at kindergarten. You know why? Because Tyler's not strong enough yet. Boys have to be tough, or they'll get bullied."

Tyler immediately blurted out, "Dad, Zack took my toy and pushed me."

Clark's frown relaxed a bit as he walked over and ruffled Tyler's hair. "Who bullied you, Tyler? Tomorrow, I'll talk to his teacher."

"No, no," I said quickly. "Kids fight and play all the time. If we raise Tyler to be strong, nobody will dare bully him."

I leaned into Clark, my voice softening. "Honey, I know you're worried about his health. But look at those so-called healthy meals. Kids don't like them, and even if they eat them, they don't gain weight.

"Why not let Tyler eat what he likes? If he's happy, he'll be healthy. It's not like we can't afford it, right?"

Clark watched Tyler happily burp after chugging his Coke, and then finally nodded. "Alright, you handle it. But don't go overboard."

Of course, I wouldn't go overboard. I just worked fried food, sugary drinks, and chips and snacks right into Tyler's daily meals.

His breakfast could be chocolate cake with extra-sweet milk. Lunch was whatever the school served, but dinner and late-night snacks were always Tyler's favorites: fried chicken, pizza, barbecue.

On weekends, it was a full-on food adventure. We never skipped a viral calorie bomb spot in town.

Also, I used the excuse of building up Tyler's strength and making him more masculine to enroll him in all kinds of intense sports classes: taekwondo, boxing, and rugby.

It wasn't about teaching him discipline. I wanted to encourage him to unleash his instincts and stand up for himself.

The first time he kicked another kid to tears in taekwondo class, the coach pulled me aside to talk.

But I said proudly, "That means Tyler's got real power. He learns fast. Mr. Simmons, push him as hard as you need, and don't worry about the cost."

As for academics? It was all about happy learning.

If Tyler couldn't pick up the spelling or math in kindergarten, I let it slide.

I talked to his teacher, "Our family is pretty laid-back. We don't want him stressed out so early. Childhood's short. What matters most is that he has fun."

The teacher gently mentioned that Tyler might need some preparation for elementary school.

But I smiled and donated a bunch of brand-new picture books and toys to the kindergarten. "I believe learning through play is the best kind of education."

Clark had his doubts at first, but once he saw Tyler getting bigger and stronger right before his eyes, he started to buy into my way of thinking.

At five and a half, Tyler already weighed as much as some seven- or eight-year-olds, and he was shooting up fast. His little arms and legs were chubby and packed with strength.

I kept telling Clark, "As long as Tyler is healthy and lively, that's all that matters. Grades don't mean a thing. We've got enough money to last him several lifetimes."

Clark ate it up, sometimes pinching Tyler's cheek with a proud grin. "You little rascal, eating so much and getting so strong."