Jax came to a halt close to the top. ‘I don’t know where to go, Spencer,’ he called.
Graham spoke first. ‘Take a moment, Jax. Think of it like a puzzle. There’s a pathway, and you’ve just got to find the right track.’
Will nudged Spencer. ‘Breathe. He’s perfectly safe.’
As much as Spencer could see the boys were filled with excitement, he was still slightly apprehensive about the activity now they were faced with the large rock.
Jax started climbing again, and it wasn’t long before he was up top with Graham’s team.
‘Ready, Leo?’ asked Spencer, checking him over with Graham.
Leo was eager to get started and climbed a lot faster than Jax had.
Will turned to Ryan. ‘It’s a lot easier when you go last.’
Ryan smiled. ‘I’m okay. I’m looking forward to my turn.’
‘Good,’ said Spencer, his eyes on Leo’s small hands roaming across the rough surface.
‘Pay close attention to the details of the rock,’ Will told Ryan. ‘With climbing, you’re part of the landscape, you’re in each gap, each step. Fully alert to the structure around you.’
Spencer could see Ryan was paying close attention, and it was good to see the boy having fun.
Leo’s squeal echoed down the precipice. ‘I did it,’ he cheered.
Spencer started clapping as Graham got Ryan ready for the climb. He turned to Will and grinned. ‘I reckon they’ll want to climb again if they get back down here.’
Will nodded. ‘Gets you like that. At first, it’s daunting, but once you’ve showed yourself what you’re capable of, you get a rush of excitement, and it frees your soul.’
A gentle breeze rustled the trees around them, and Spencer closed his eyes for a second while inhaling the woodland scent. How free he already felt just being surrounded by Mother Nature. One day he hoped to stand in the same spot and watchhis son climb to the sky. He would raise Archie to be active and to enjoy the beauty of nature. He opened his eyes and watched Ryan begin his ascent.
‘You going up next, Spence?’ asked Will.
‘I’ll see if they abseil. If so, I’ll climb after they go back up.’
‘Yeah, I want to be down here for that too.’
Graham was telling Ryan not to use his knees on the ledges, and the boy huffed before using his arms to pull himself higher. Everyone knew Ryan was as fit as a butcher’s dog, so why he was on the go-slow was surprising. Perhaps he was absorbing every moment because of what Will had told him.
‘He’s been quiet this morning,’ said Will.
Spencer was watching Ryan carefully. ‘Maybe the thought of rock climbing made him nervous.’
‘I wish he would say if something was on his mind.’
‘He keeps everything close to his chest.’
Will pointed up. ‘They’re good kids you’ve got there, Spence. I reckon all you’ve been doing with them will help open them up soon enough.’
‘Their confidence is growing, but I’m not sure how much will change for them.’
‘Confidence changes a lot, mate.’
Spencer nodded, mainly to himself. He’d give anything to see Leo live life without triggers, hear Jax’s idle chit-chat with those he encountered, and have Ryan use his voice to tell all what his heart really desired.
‘And he’s done it,’ said Will, interrupting Spencer’s thoughts.
One of Graham’s team called out to let them know the boys were coming back down. So Spencer, Will, and Graham moved over to a different part of the rock face to watch the lads abseil.
