“Because he’s a part of you,” Mom replies softly. “Just wait until he tells you he wants to join the Army. Wait until he’s gone for months at a time and can’t tell you where he is. This is nothing,” she says, wiping the corner of her eye.
With my hand firmly on Milo’s back, holding him close, I snake the other arm around Mom’s waist and pull her into my chest. “Love you, Mom,” I say, my voice low and just for her. I get it now. The worry, the tears. I get it.
“Enough of that,” she says, pulling away. “Call and check on him anytime, but I assure he’s going to be just fine.”
“Thanks, guys.” I give Milo one more hug before putting his coat on him and strapping him into his car seat. I walk them to the door and watch as they grab the base of the car seat out of my truck to place in the back of Mom’s SUV. And then, just like that, they’re gone.
“You okay?” Hollis asks from behind me.
I close the door, realizing I was just standing there, letting all the cold air inside, and turn to face her. “I’m good. It’s just… hard to know I’m not going to be with him for so long. It’s the longest I’ve gone since I found out he was mine.”
“He’s lucky to have you.” Something passes in her eyes, but she masks it before I can figure it out.
“Are you ready to learn how to kick some ass?” I ask, giving her a wide grin.
“Definitely.” She returns my smile. “Are you nervous?” she asks once we’re in my truck and headed to All Fit.
“About the class? No. This is what I’ve been trained to do.”
“Do you miss it? The Army?” she asks, then quickly adds. “I’m sorry I’m being nosey. It’s none of my business.”
“No. It’s fine. I miss my brothers-in-arms. Their life was in my hands, and mine in theirs. That’s a bond that runs deep.”
“Are they all still enlisted?”
“Yes, some are, some are honorably discharged, some just did it on their own.”
“Maybe you should reach out to them. Introduce them to your son.”
“You know, that’s not a bad idea. I just might do that.”
“That’s my one good idea for the day. I’m all tapped out.”
I glance over in time to see her tap her index finger against her temple as she flashes a grin. “Just one?” I tease. “I think there are more good ideas bouncing around up there.”
“Nope.” She pops the P, making me smile.
“Here we are.” I pull my truck into the lot and turn off the engine. “Thanks for coming early. I just wanted to be here when everyone started showing up.” I look through the front window of my truck at the snow that started falling on our way here. “Then again, this looks like it’s sticking. Class might be small.”
“Should you cancel?” She leans forward to look out the window, getting a closer look.
“Nah, it’ll be fine.”
“Can we get home?”
“This machine,” I pat the dash of my truck, “is four-wheel drive. We’ll make it home,” I assure her.
“Okay, then. I guess we have a class to get to.” She reaches for her handle and climbs out of the truck, and I scurry to catch up with her. Luckily my legs are a hell of a lot longer than hers, and I’m by her side in no time.
“Hey, Colton,” Mary, one of the nightshift receptionists, greets me. “I have a few cancelations for tonight.” She hands me a list.
“How many do we have left?” I ask her.
“Four.” She looks up at Hollis. “Are you taking the class?” she asks her.
“Yes.”
“Then, five.” Mary grins.
“Thanks, Mary. Keep me updated. I’m going to go make sure the room is set up.” With a wave, I settle my hand on the small of Hollis’s back and lead her to the room where the class is going to be held. I guide us into the room, and to the back corner where the storage closet is. Punching in the code on the keyless entry, I open the door wide, turn on the light, and step in. “You can put your coat and purse here. This will stay locked so no one will mess with it.”
“Are you sure? I can get a locker.”
“Positive. Just lay it on the desk over there.” I shrug out of my coat and lay it across the desk. “I’m going to start getting the mats out and organized.”
“Need any help?”
“Nah, just chill until class starts. Unless you want to go hit some of the machines or something?”
“Do I need to?” she asks. My eyes peruse her body. Tight long-sleeve T-shirt and skin-tight work out pants. “I mean, am I in the way?” she adds.
“N-No.” I shake my head. “You’re not in the way.” Needing to get busy, to fight off this attraction I have for her, I start dragging mats out and setting them up so that each person will have their own workspace. From the research I’ve done, most women who sign up for self-defense classes are usually too late. It’s usually as a result of some type of violence, often an ex or current lover they are trying to defend themselves from. This also means that most of them are not comfortable with having their personal space invaded. So, I set up six large mats, giving each person coming to class tonight their very own personal space. I want them to feel safe and confident while they’re here and, eventually, leave here with that same confidence and carry it with them every day.