In time, Root Force moved into a space three times the size of the original dojo. At the opening, Patrick appeared in the crowd holding a silver medal from a national tournament.

Kimberly came with several fellow preschool teachers she’d talked into joining. Jimmy brought a framed photo of our first training group.

And Mr. Kenneth — elderly now, frail — traveled across the state with his granddaughter.

He walked slowly to the center of the new white mats, leaning on his cane.

“Well, young lady,” he said, looking around. “Do you understand now what all that training was for?”

I smiled at him.