Page 35 of Learning at 40

Eventually, the boys both come down from the fort and approach the lounger.

“How goes the maiden voyage?” I call out.

“Maiden? This isn’t a girl thing,” Trevor scoffs. He plops down on the end of the lounger, keeping his back to us while Oliver stands beside me.

“What’s a voyeur?” Oliver asks.

Zack chokes on air, and I correct Oliver while I circle his little wrist with my hand. “Voyage. It’s taking a trip or having an adventure. A maiden voyage is the first journey a ship makes.”

“It’s not a ship.” Trevor corrects me, glancing over his shoulder.

“But you’re pirates?” That’s what they said they wanted to be. However, a child’s mind can change daily. Some of my patients are princesses one day and evil witches the next. We remind them either way, cancer is the dragon that needs to be slain.

“It’s a fort that we captured,” Oliver explains. “Now, we need to protect it.”

“Aye. And did ye find the buried treasure, argh?”

“There isn’t buried treasure.” Trevor’s sullen tone punctuates the air.

“Trevor,” Zack warns beside me as he senses his son on the verge of being rude.

“Are you sure?” I sing-song the question, tipping up a brow.

Oliver’s expression mimics mine. One brow arches as he sing-songs in response. “Is there?”

“Have you looked?” My voice drags again, hinting the boys should.

“We’ve been looking through the telescope for hours.” Trevor pouts, looking every bit like his father but not pulling off the cuteness his dad does. He crosses his lanky arms and huffs.

“I don’t think it’s been hours,” Zack mutters, sounding a little testy himself. I reach out for his forearm and hold my hand there.

“Sometimes, a treasure can be right under your nose. You might not need a telescope to find it.”

“Is there buried treasure?” Oliver’s little voice rises with excitement.

“I’m not sure.” I tap my chin. “Maybe search the yard.”

I sense Zack’s eyes on me, but I don’t look at him. Trevor has swiveled at the end of the lounger, and I stare back at him.

“What did you do?” Zack teasingly hisses beside me.

“Is there a map?” Trevor questions, finally falling in line.

“No map. You must use instinct.” I point at my head. “And smarts.”

Oliver speaks first. “I’m smart.”

“You are not. I’m the smarter one,” Trevor snaps.

“Hey,” Zack barks, startling all of us. “What have I told you about insulting your brother?”

“Someday, he might be the only person I have.”

It’s my turn to peer at Zack, surprised by the advice he’s given a child.

“My brother is my best friend. I forgive him anything,” Oliver adds as if this lesson has been imparted on them repeatedly. Silence falls for a second. I have so many questions but decide now is not the time to ask.

“Okay, treasure hunting. You don’t need to dig, but you do need to search. The yard is the boundary. Do not go into the street. Do not climb the fence. An X marks the spot, but you must look carefully for it.” I wink at Oliver before gazing at Trevor.