Solana turned around and I reached out and gripped her ass as she walked away. She giggled as she headed to the back to grab what she needed.
"I'm going to pull my bike around back. Leave the basket there. I'll come through the back to grab it," I told her.
"I hear you. I'll lock the door again."
I jogged outside, hopped on my bike, and headed around back to park beside her car. Then came in through the back to grab the basket from the table. Solana waited at the back door, then locked it once we were both outside.
I placed the basket on the backseat, then walked over to my bike to grab the bag holding the 9mm, rounds, and targets. I placed it in the back as well, making sure everything was secure before walking around to open the passenger door for Solana.
I could tell she was nervous when she saw the bag. But this was part of it. If she wanted to learn, we had to have a gun. I got in on the driver's side and pulled out into traffic.
The ride to Hunter's Point wasn't long. My grandfather used to bring me here when I was a kid. This was the first place I ever learned to shoot. I still remember running through these fields with my grandad chasing behind me.
I pulled into the gravel parking lot. They'd built the place up a lot more than I remembered. They now had actual targets in the distance, so I could leave mine behind.
"We gone practice first, Sweets. I'll come back for the basket after. They have picnic tables in the opposite direction from the targets."
Solana nodded. I watched as she rubbed her hands together.
I didn't want to make her more nervous than she already was, so I grabbed the bag from the back and opened her door so she could step out. I held my free hand out and she took it gladly.
We walked hand in hand up to the small wooden building to grab ear guards, then made our way to our designated target on the far end of the field. I set the bag down and turned to look at Solana.
"Baby, look at me. We don't have to do this. We can turn around and go somewhere else for that picnic," I told her.
Solana closed her eyes and released a breath.
"No, I have to do this. Okay, what's the first thing I need to know? Give it to me straight."
Her expression had steeled as she gripped her hips, waiting on me.
"Alright. Before you even touch the gun, safety first, aight."
She nodded, so I continued.
"First rule," I started, pulling the gun from the bag and placing it on the wooden platform beside us. "You respect the steel, baby."
She smiled, then fixed her expression when she realized I was serious.
"Always treat a gun like it's loaded, love."
I tilted my head for her to come closer and she moved in. I picked up the gun and showed her there was no bullet in the chamber, then placed it in her hands.
"You want it in your dominant hand, gripped like this," I said, stepping behind her and placing my hands over hers to adjust her hold.
"Got it," she affirmed.
"You always want your grip firm and your thumb positioned forward along the side. And never place your finger on the trigger unless you're ready to pull it. Understood?"
She nodded, soaking in everything I was telling her. The targets were already in place.
I removed my hands from hers and ran them down her sides until I reached her hips, then leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Relax your shoulders, baby."
"I'm trying, but you're making me nervous," she said, then giggled.
"My bad. I'm just making sure you got it."
