“I can’t take any of the credit,” Ryo told the reporter interviewing him about his son, rising basketball star Victor Goldman-Maclean, better known to family, friends, and fans as Bikky. “He knew all along exactly what he wanted to be. I just supported his ambitions and made sure he knew what it would take to stand any chance of achieving them. He’s the one who put in all the hard work, not just in basketball practice but in his classes. He’ll be the first to admit there were times he struggled with keeping his grades up, but he always asked for help when he didn’t understand something.”

“You seem very proud of him.”

“Of course I am. Who wouldn’t be proud to have a son like Bikky?”

“But you’re not even a blood relation, you’re his foster parent, right?”

“I don’t see what difference that makes, but yes, he was ten when his father was killed and I applied to foster, and then to officially adopt him, and that’s a decision I’ve never regretted. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worthwhile. Just because we’re not related by blood doesn’t make Bikky any less my son. I’ve watched him grow from a small boy grieving the loss of his father into a strong, confident, and very talented young man, and I’m so lucky to have had that privilege.”

“And you never wanted him to follow in your footsteps, join the police?”

“No. I just wanted him to be happy.”


The End