These last words were shouted. The kids went wild, laughing
and jumping around the room. Jim took the steak from his face.
"This really worked," he told his daughter."Let's eat!"
He crossed to the stove and started cooking the meat. Soon the
sound and the delicious smell filled the apartment.
"Jim," Mae whispered. "Is it really just one fight, or are they
letting you back in?"
Jim kissed her head. "It was just the one fight."
Relief swept through Mae. As she went to the stove to get the
steak, she said silent thanks that her husband would never step
inside the ring again.
•
The early morning walk to the docks was the same as usual, but
Jim felt different. His body ached, but his steps were quicker than
they had been in months.