Page 76 of Deliverance

“You’re one stubborn girl.” Roque rubbed his chin. “Anyone ever tell you that?”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Okay.” He nodded and pointed at my footwear. “But do yourself a favor. Get Nikes. And don’t wear Disney colors anymore.”

I did as instructed—bought appropriate clothes and the required sneakers and went back the next evening to get my first voluntarily ass-whooping.

“Is that who I think it is!” A deep voice coming from across the room snaps my attention back to reality and I spy Roque moving in my direction. He hasn’t changed much, except for maybe a couple of extra lines in the corners of his eyes. Tall, broad-shouldered, with bunched up muscles all around, he’s a terrifying sight at first.

My mouth splits into a grin. I can’t help it.

“Look what the cat dragged in, huh?” Roque says, coming to a halt. Only a couple of feet separate us. “I thought you moved away.”

“No, just got sidetracked.” I pull the gym bag off my shoulder and it slides down my arm and into the curl of my hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see too.” He gives me a one-sided smile. “How you doin’? Everything cool?”

“Yeah.” Except for the part where I kicked a half-naked guy out of my studio in the middle of the night.

“I’d give you a hug, but I’m all sweaty.”

“It’s all good.” I slowly take in my surroundings, my chest expanding from the onslaught of emotions.

“I’ll be free in half an hour if you want to warm up first,” Roque explains as we navigate across the equipment-filled room over to the lockers. “You still remember how to punch?” He breaks out in a burst of deep, rumbling laughter.

“Honestly, I don’t want to put you out if your day is full.”

“Don’t worry about it. Kids are back in school, so I’m not that busy right now. Besides, I’m looking forward to whooping your skinny ass.”

We slow our pace once we reach the locker area and I shift to face Roque, my heart bursting from gratitude. He’s making time to practice with me despite the fact we haven’t seen each other in ages, despite the fact there are other people who should be getting far more attention, especially all the troubled teens Roque is training in his gym for free.

And for that, for his kindness, I’ll be forever grateful.

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

Roque’s hard face softens for a moment as if he knows what I’m thinking, but he’s not a man of many words. Or a man who wears his feelings on his sleeve. I credit this brusque nature to his time in the Army.

“Get changed. I’ll see you in a bit.” He gives me a curt nod and walks off.

I head to the very last locker, the one that used to be mine. There’s no one here except for a young woman sitting on the bench. Bent forward, she appears to be lacing her sneakers and all my eyes register is a mess of black curls and toned shoulders.

Muffled voices and sounds of running water come from the vicinity of the showers, and I set my bag on the bench and glance around. This place is anything but luxurious. It’s a blend of everything South L.A. has to offer. The smell of sweat, cheap soap, and sanitizer. The language that’s only understood by those who live nearby. The rules that only apply to this neighborhood.

But at least you get what you see—bitter and dark truths of the Los Angeles underbelly.

Unlike the suburban lie of New England with its gable-roofed house, the walls of which used to hide the domestic ugliness. The sadistic husband. And the wife who took it and took it.

“Hey,” the woman says. “What’s up?”

I turn to look at her. “Hey.”

“Haven’t seen you before.”

“Oh.” I drop my gaze to the floor for a second and pull the locker door open. “I haven’t been here in a while.”

“Uh huh.” The woman tilts her head to the side and continues to stare. “I’m Genesis.” She whips out her hand.

“Drew.” I shake it.

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