Page 29 of He Likes it Spicy

Instead, I open the door to the little studio, turn on the lights, and get ready for my first class. The girls trickle in, joining me in my morning stretches.

On the walls, I’ve got more pictures. Folks around here love the old Valkyrie posters, so I keep them up along with photos from all the points in my career. Looking back, it all feels so surreal.

And the craziest part is where I ended up, and how much more fulfilling it turned out to be. I’m exactly where I never imagined I would be, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“All right, girls.” I clap my hands, waltz over to the mirrors, and rub my big belly dramatically. “Who’s ready to get started?”

A dozen little girls under twelve shriek and cheer and bounce, ready to learn from the master.

“Let’s get into character!” I pose, sticking my nose in the air. “I am theValkyrie.” I point to Millie, cute as a button with big dark eyes. “Who are you?”

She shoots her hands in the air. “Princess Energy Star!”

“Yes, you are!” I point to Lisa, and she tucks into herself a bit. “And you?”

“I-I’m…”

I pump my fist to encourage her. The other girls clap and cheer.

Lisa smiles, blushes, and squeals, “Wild Flower!”

“Don’t we know it!”

Down the line I go, letting the girls tell me, and the world, exactly who they are.

We can be anyone we want to be ; we can go anywhere and do anything.

All we need is to take that first step, and maybe another or two.

Because when I took my first bold step into Thor’s life, all my dread disappeared. Wherever I go, whatever I do, he’ll always be there to keep things spicy…

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