Page 108 of Hits Different

“This was my dad’s world”. Steel flashes across my mother’s face. “I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps”.

“But doesn’t this kind of…activityrequire intensive training?”

“I’ve spent my whole life training”. I rattle off my credentials. “I’m ready”.

“You were training in all those disciplines? When you lived here?” Donnie blinks. “I don’t recall you doing all that. Did we know that?”

“He used to tell us he was at soccer practice”, my mother says sharply. She opens her mouth to say something more, but clamps it shut again. Her arms are crossed tightly across her chest. “He lied”.

“I didn’t feel as though I had a choice”, I say truthfully. “I’ve been working with a professional MMA gym whilst I’ve been at Simon’s”.

Donnie tags back in. “I thought you were workingwithSimonatSummit”.

“I’m training in my spare time”. I tick them off. “Early mornings. Evenings. Weekends. It’s a lot, but it’s good. I’m good”.

“Does Simon know?”

“He’s been supportive”. I’m not going to throw him under the bus any more than that. “He knows it’s what I want. What I need”.

I don’t know what I was expecting. I know, deep down, that they want what’s best for me, but it would be awesome, just for once, not to be anchored by the constant feeling of letting everyone down.

“You’re being very quiet”. I risk a glance at my mother. “Did I awe you into silence?”

“You want me to speak? Alright”, my mother says, bluntly. “No”.

“No?”

“You are not throwing everything we worked for to die in a cage like an animal. I forbid it”.

My heart tightens. “It’s not your decision”.

“Maria, please…”

“Donnie, he is my child. I will not have this…”She rounds on me.“Surely there are better things you could be doing with your life than getting punched in the face for a living?”

“I don’t actually get punched all that much. Which you’d know, if you ever came to one of my matches”. I force a deep breath. “I’m not here to fight with you. If I can’t have your blessing, I’d at least like your understanding”.

“You’ll never have it. It’s barbaric”.

“Why is it so hard for you to believe that I could be like Dad?”

“Your father wasn’t a fool”. That stings. More than it should. “Fine. You want this to be your life. Let’s play it out. How are you going to make any money?”

“I get paid for what I do. And I’m still working at Summit”.

“You getpaidfor getting beaten up?” She throws her hands up. “Wonderful. Why didn’t you say? How much?”

“It’s not a lot right now, but when I make it big…”

“When youmake it big? Listen to yourself!” She’s in full Italian soap opera mode. Footsteps scatter from upstairs as my siblings head for cover. The thought almost makes me smile. “This is insanity!”

“Maybe, but I’m choosing it”. I set my jaw. “Didn’t you ever choose something that people told you was a mistake?”Like having me. I’ve dared her. We both know it.

She recovers quickly. “College was your choice too. Look what happened there”.

“College was never my choice and we both know it”.

“Do you ever think of anyone but yourself?”

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