Under the cold sunshine he stood, cold but still sunshine revolving them into a new season. He could unbutton his coat. The first boys came out shouldering their bags, putting on caps, swinging satchels. One slung his into the back of another boy and ran on, a gaggle joining him down the sidewalk, all of them laughing except the victim, his knees jogging further and further behind. Finally he stood and watched after them, shrugged one shoulder and went on walking. Aleks was among the last. He took Trn’s reaching hand, gave up his satchel to the other.
How was your day today?
It was good.
That’s good. Do you have much homework?
It’s Friday.
That’s right.
What will we do tomorrow?
We could go woods walking, would you like that?
The boy nodded.
Look at that sun. Trn settled back his hat. Won’t it be fine shining through the trees tomorrow?
If it doesn’t rain.
The boy stared at the pavement.
What’s wrong?
I don’t know.
You can tell me.
I know.
Is it Adam?
Yes.
They were stopped at a corner for a staff car to thrushover the pavement. The boy watched the gutter.
Did he hit you? I thought that ended some time ago.
No.
He’s hitting again?
No. It’s not about hitting.
What then?
Aleks shrugged. They crossed, walked on. The shadow of clouds, one great cloud, rolled over a far wooded hill and Trn squinted to see the sun blinded behind it.
Tell me what happened. I thought this was all resolved.
Adam is a kind of hero.
How is he a hero? Because he bullies the other boys?
No. Because of his father.
Trn said, I think I understand.
His father was in the army. Then he went to Poland to be in another army, Aleks said. Then he died.
And now he is a hero.
Aleks nodded.
Were you in the army?
We all had to be for a time.
Were you in the war?