“With whom?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.
“Mickey Nichols.” I prayed she didn’t step outside to verify my lie.
A small smile played on her lips. “Well, I’m impressed.” Her eyes slid over my clothing. “All things considered.”
What she really meant was‘I’m impressed consideringhow you look.’
I breathed deeply, willing my anger to stay hidden.
“How come we never met this Mickey guy?” Lana put a hand on her hip. “Where’s Paxton? As your foster brother, I think he should have to approve of him.” She traipsed toward the front door.
“Oops, gotta go.” I ran to the door and beat her to it. “Don’t want to miss our movie.” Without another glance, I flung open the door and sprinted to Mick’s BMW, throwing myself in.
He twisted toward me. “All right. Let’s do this.”
“And let’s do it quickly,” I added, strapping myself in.
Mom and Lana appeared at the entrance and stopped as they glanced our way.
I waved cheerily but said, “Get us the hell out of here, Mick, like yesterday.”
Grinning, he backed us down the driveway.
****
We pulled up to the gym, which was located downtown, the building wedged between a boutique and a smoothie shop.
It was lit on the outside by fluorescent lighting. Through the windows I could see people dressed in Gi’s stretching and warming up.
Mick shut off the ignition and looked at me. “Ready?”
Not really.But Paxton was right. I’d lived in a fucking box all my life and it was time to smash it to smithereens.
“Yes.” I took a deep breath and opened the door. “Is there somewhere I can change?”
Mick held open the front door and motioned to a hall to the right. “Dressing rooms are that way.”
Pleasant incense, clean yet with a hint of spice, permeated the air.
After changing into my borrowed Gi, I strode to the big room and handed him paperwork containing consents. I’d forged my mom’s signature.
Mick placed them on a desk and motioned me to stand beside him. We stretched for a few minutes.
A man with a black belt walked to the front of the room and smiled.
“That’s Coach Stein. Since you’re new, he’ll go easy and you should be able to keep up.”
“Hello, class. We’ve got a visitor, so let’s give her a big welcome.”
Adults and children alike waved and shook my hands, then Coach Stein called the group to order.
The rest of the evening I grappled with Mick. I don’t think I understood how much close contact was involved in Jiu Jitsu, but I loved learning how to defend myself and the camaraderie with the other students.
I lost myself for a while and for the first time, felt like I truly belonged with the group, that these people were my tribe.
****
“I loved that,” I said to Mick as we got inside the car. “I’m signing up.”
