We have a rule: once a kid reaches the age of ten, we
don’t use them to spread the fire anymore.I took my son to the cradle the day after his ninth
birthday. Nine is a good age for this. When kids are little, they
have no comprehension of how the world works, relying on
you for guidance. They trust you. Tell them they’ll be okay,
and they’ll believe it. The youngest one we’ve ever used was
four, a boy, and he gave me a thumbs-up right before he ran
towards the fascists’ checkpoint. A thumbs-up and a trusting
smile. I’ll never forget it.
Read more in the Summer 2022 issue of The Colored Lens: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MCV7T5
Humbled again to be included with such fine writers. Support small pubs like The Colored Lens, and if you really want to show your support, pick up the Autumn 2015 issue where they published another short story of mine, A Long Fall.
