“That…yeah it…yeah. That might kind of be exactly it.”
“Then it’s not crazy at all.” He shook his head then held up a finger.“First thing you need to learn is how to step into stuff.”
“Well, considering I have no idea what that means, I’m going to guess you’re completely right.”
“It’s just about pushing back against your instincts. See, most people when they’re attacked automatically try to wrench themselves away. It’s a pretty natural reaction to something like that. But nine times out of ten, it won’t help you. It’ll just make things worse.”
“Okay. That makes no sense, but okay.”
“It doesn’t make sense now. But it will. Think you can put your back to me?”
“I can. Though don’t be surprised if I totally lose it the second you get close.”
She was proud of herself for keeping that lightheartedness in her voice as she turned. But the truth was, she shook as she did as he had asked. And though she managed to keep her gaze forward once she had moved, the urge to glance back at him was enormous.
So, it was a huge relief when he said,“You don’t have to worry about that. I’mnot going to sneak up on you. In fact, you can just watch me over your shoulder all the way through. Sound good?”
“Yeah, that does sound good.”
“Okay, I’m coming over there now.”
“All right. Cool. Cool.”
He took five careful steps forward. “I’m going real slow.”
“Your slowness is hugely appreciated.”
“Now. You seemy hand coming towards you?”
She did. She couldn’t have missed it if she tried.Mostly because it was inching towards her, but also because it seemed to have tripled in size and become about twenty times rougher than it really looked. Back in reality, his fingers were long and elegant—like a surgeon, she thought. But right now, all she could see were things conjured up by her own sweaty imagination.
And it didn’t seem to help much when he only said, instead of doing.
“Okay, now imagine I grab you with it. I get hold of your throat or the back of your shirt—because both are pretty typical if someone is coming up on you from behind. They might even grab your arm, but that’s fine too. Because the exact same move is going to apply.”
“Right. So now you’re going to show me this move. Hopefully before I pass out.”
“You’re not going to pass out. Just keep your eyes on me, and lift your right arm.”
“You want me to lift my right arm?”
“I want you to lift your right arm.”
She would have disobeyed anyone else. At the very least, she would have thought they were making fun of her. But he just said things so directly and so plainly, and his expression was so calm and still.
It wasn’t that hard to do it. Though, it did seem pretty silly, once she had.
“I feel like I’m asking for permission to go to the bathroom.”
“Doesn’t make any difference. In fact, thinking of it that way will help you remember. The second you feel anyone touching you, that’s what you do. Arm up like a kid in class.”
“Right. Okay. Okay. Now what?”
He beckoned, with his free hand.“Now you’re going to turn towards me.”
“That still doesn’t seem to make much sense.”
“It will. Because as you turn towards me you bend that arm around mine.”
