Over the years, he’d had to share it with more people than he could count. Family and friends and insurance adjusters. Emma’s principal and the mailman. And about once every few months, the students in his tactical ninjitsu classes. He’d thrown himself into the sport after Ashleigh died, quickly rising to the level of instructor. During his class’s sessions, Jason made sure to teach his students to be aware of their surroundings and to be prepared to defend themselves—and their loved ones—by any means necessary. Weakness and vulnerability in battle, he would tell his students, whether it’s in the field or in a bar room, can and often does lead to devastating consequences. It’s not that his wife had been a weak person; Ashleigh probably could’ve kicked the shit out of several guys he knew. But she let her kind heart put her in danger. She let her guard down. And the consequence of that choice was something he and their daughter lived with every day.
