I always told Billy that my work was dangerous, and he may not see me again.  The old saying, "You live by the sword, you die by the sword" hits uncomfortably close to home for me.  I have ended up in this predicament partly because I like to fight, partly because dangerous jobs pay very well, and partly because I like to help people.  I never look for trouble, inevitably, however, I am close to trouble.  Either trouble finds me, or I find a bad guy, bringing the trouble.  

  I had to cancel on Billy on many weekends.  It was always a sad ordeal.  

    When Billy was nine years old, he had to get a cap filled on his tooth.  He was drugged up on novacaine, and his entire mouth was swollen.  He didn't like having the silver tooth in his mouth because he thought it looked bad.  Billy also told me that he was sorry that he let himself get a cavity.  Billy was very upset and was crying.  

    "Son, I'll have a very special present for you the next time I see you," I told him.  
   
    When I told him what it was, Billy was really excited.  

    "Son, I love you," I told him.  "I hate to see you upset.  But I need you to do something for me.  I know you're in pain and discomfort, but I want you to be tough about this.  You're a tough kid."  

    "Okay, daddy," Billy said.  "I'll be tough for you."

    Billy stopped crying. Billy never cried again.  

    Even when Bruce was away from Billy, they were never far from each other's minds.