Page 101 of Choke Hold

The kids all laugh as they run after me, the equipment now all put away, and I dramatically drop to my knees in the middle of the gym. “Ah! They got me!”

The cheers and laughs surround me as I let just a little bit of chaos ensue. They’re little, I can shake them off if needed. And as Parker literally climbs my arm, I laugh and push to my feet.

“Ok!” I put my hands in the air and smile around at everyone. “I’m back! Whew, that was a close one. I thought I might be stuck as the monster forever that time.”

“Mr. Mitchell.” Shyla looks up at me seriously. “We knew it was you the whole time.”

I wink at her and press my finger to my lips. “Shh.”

She laughs and I blow my whistle. “Alright, line up!”

I turn to the gym door as all the kids run to line up and head back to class, and I see Dan leaning against the wall with a very amused look on his face.

“I just had to see monster attack time for myself,” he says.

“And did you enjoy it?” I ask, standing beside him as his class finishes lining up in front of us.

“It was everything I imagined, and then some.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “You’re brave.”

I shrug. “I’ve experienced worse.”

His eyes roam over my face, which is now almost completely healed since we’re nearing two weeks post-fight. “True.” He turns to his class. “Alright, let’s go.” But before he pushes the door open to take his kids back to his classroom, he smiles at me. “You coming to hockey tomorrow night?”

“You know it,” I say, holding out my fist for him to bump.

“Awesome. See you later,” he says as he pushes the door open, and his class follows him out of the gym.

After I’ve given everyone a high-five on their way out, I head into the office since I have a few minutes until my next class arrives, and check my phone. I have one missed text from Mia, about ten minutes ago.

Mia

Hey bud. Just checking in to see how everything is going. Have you heard anything from Mom and Dad?

With a sigh, I flop down onto my chair. I haven’t, and I’m not surprised. I sent them a pretty clear message. But I can’t help but feel a bit hurt that they haven’t said anything to me. Because they are letting go. Which is exactly what I feared would happen.

Not yet. Not sure if I will.

The bubbles immediately pop up to show she’s texting back, and I just look down at my phone and wait.

You will at some point. They’re probably just processing everything you said. Because it’s all valid, and they’re going to realize this in their own time. Don’t worry about them. Just keep kicking ass and enjoy the life you’ve made for yourself! You did the right thing.

Happy little voices fill the gym as my next class arrives, and I smile as I hear feet running across the floor.

Thanks Mia. Gotta get back to work, talk soon. Love you.

I toss my phone down and head out into the gym to greet the kindergartners as they gather in the middle of the gym, ready to have some fun.

And we do. As we play Get On An Island and I take on an epic role as a shark to chase the kids onto their hula-hoop islands, everything else is forgotten.

I can’t control what my parents think or do, but I can control my response to it.

And I know I made the right choice. For me.

I pull into the gym parking lot and see Ty getting out of his car. I park and hop out of my Jeep, smiling at him. “Arriving at the same time is so fun.”

He huffs out a laugh as he slings his bag over his shoulder. “Glad to see you’ve adjusted well to working full-time hours.”

I nod seriously, pulling my bag out of my back seat. “It’s been an adjustment. I miss my quiet gym time before everyone gets in. Actually…” I pause as I close my Jeep door. “No… That’s not true. It was super lonely.” I look at Ty with shock and revelation. “I think I hated it.”

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