“No shouting.

No raised voices.”

“We answer when we’re spoken to,” Henry said, standing with his feet shoulder-width apart.

“We use polite language,” Sam said, touching his wire-rim glasses.

“And we don’t ask anyone for anything,” Lucas said, holding his engineering textbook tight against his ribs.

They stood like four young officers waiting for their final inspection before a hard assignment.

Looking at their calm, steady faces, the tight knot of worry in my stomach loosened into a fragile but steady confidence.

My sons were emotionally ready for whatever Ethan or his family might throw at them tonight.