Page 78 of Deliverance

You wanna know what happens to women who dress like whores?

And again. Thwack.

I’ll show you.

Thwack.

Did I do or say something wrong?

A low growl fills my ears and I realize it’s me as I send another series of punches into the bag that sways back and forth like a branch in the wind.

A whistle comes from behind me.

“You go, girl!”

I recognize that voice. It’s Genesis cheering me on.

My arms and fists burn, but I keep throwing blows until Roque steps in.

“That’s enough.” He rests a heavy palm on my shoulder, whispering, “You got a lot of anger.”

I lean forward and prop myself up with my gloved hands on my knees, breathing loudly.

“Girl can kick some serious ass.” Someone chuckles to my left.

I lift my gaze and see Cornell smirking from behind the rope.

“You remember my lessons,” Roque says proudly.

“Do you have a minute to talk before I go? Somewhere quiet.”

“Sure.”

A half hour later, after I’ve showered and changed into a T-shirt and jeans and feel a lot more like myself, I meet him in his office in the back. It’s a small room with a busy-looking desk, an old chair, and a tall shelf in the corner lined with all sorts of items from coffee cups to manila folders filled with paperwork. Framed awards and various photos of Roque with his family and from his days in the Army are hung on the light gray walls.

“What is it you wanted to talk about?” he asks.

Heart pounding, I draw a white envelope from the side pocket of my gym bag and hand it to him. “I wanted to give you this.”

Tense silence blooms between us.

Eyes narrowed, Roque takes the envelope and looks inside. “Whatchu giving me this money for?”

“For the gym. It’s a donation.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“You need it and I’m in a position where I can afford to pay it forward. If it wasn’t for this place, I don’t know where I’d be right now.” There’s a lot more, but I’m scared to say it out loud because I’m too scared to lose what Roque has given me. A father figure when I really needed one. A fair share of tough love. Guidance.

He stares at the check for some time, his expression is hard and unreadable.

“Please,” I insist. “You can put it to good use.”

“But don’t you go disappearing on me again.”

“I’m sorry. It’s been a busy year and I should have checked in whenever I could.”

“Damn right.” Roque shakes his head.

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