“How do you think I feel?” Ariel asked. “I’m in the middle of my grandma’s thirst trap. With my mom.”
“At least we can suffer together,” Jake said dramatically.
“Well, I’m in the middle of my mom’s thirst trap with my daughter,” I parroted.
“All right,” Bronze said loudly. “Separate into pairs so we can get started.”
“Isn’t he going to introduce the officers?” I asked Ink.
“He already did,” he laughed. “When you three were whining.”
“Oh, just wait. Your time will come. Sooner or later, the Glam Gram and her channel will get you.”
“I got inkblots tattooed on my ass cheeks because I lost a bet. I don’t embarrass easy.”
“How is that embarrassing?”
“I had to prove I went through with it,” he said.
“Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it,” Phoenix said. “You showed your ass, literally, every chance you got.”
“Because I don’t get embarrassed easily,” Ink laughed.
“You say that now,” I trailed off and moved to our previous spot on the mat where I worked my ass off for the next three hours.
By the end of class, I was exhausted and covered in sweat, but it was worth it. We learned various self-defense techniques, which made me feel more confident in my ability to keep me and my daughter safe. I could tell the class boosted Ariel’s confidence as well.
“If you don’t have dinner plans, you’re welcome to join us. I’m not sure what we’re having, but it’ll probably be some variation of steak and chicken,” Phoenix said.
“Thank you,” Mom said. “But we have to get back to Cedar Valley. I have a meeting scheduled at eight, and I need a little time beforehand to prepare for it. Speaking of, Ariel, are you still coming home with me and Papa?”
“How long is your meeting?” Ariel asked, sounding disappointed.
“I blocked two hours for it.”
“The season finale is tonight. I thought we were watching it together.”
Mom laughed awkwardly. “We are, but I felt a little silly saying I needed to get home because of a TV show.”
“We get it,” Duke said. “Most of the Old Ladies have plans to watch that show tonight.”
“I can’t thank you all enough for today,” Mom said and continued gushing over members for several minutes.
“Alice, we need to get going if we’re going to get home in time for your ‘meeting,’” Dad said.
“Okay, I’m coming,” she said.
“What are your plans for the evening?” Ink asked as we left the gym.
“I guess I don’t have any,” I said.
“Let’s make some,” he said. “I need to eat, and so do you.”
“I need to go home and shower first,” I said.
“Yeah, me too,” he said. “What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“Just come over after you shower.”
