Page 144 of The Breaking Pointe
“I know you’re a boxer. I’ve seen plenty of your fights now—but from what Noelle says, you’re much more of an intellect than most fighters,” he says.
“If she says so,” I try not to contend, helplessly smiling, “I went to school for architecture, but when I finished, I was well into boxing by then, and decided I preferred it better. I’m lucky enough for it to work out in my favor, but I like art. A lot. I had an entire studio, but I uh…” I add, suddenly realizing where my words are going, and stopping myself, “I had an accident and I have to reinvent the studio.”
His eyebrows bunch up as he listens to me, seeming sorry for my hardships.
“That’s okay, if you did it once, you can do it again.That’s one of many of my mottos,” he responds proudly.
Ifyoucandoanythingonce,youcandoitagain.
It’s like he knew my mother.But based on his many encouraging tapes, it shows that he’s good at this.He knows whattosay,andhowitshouldbeimplied,asafathershould.
“My mother used to say that,” I faintly comment.
“That would explain why you’re with my daughter.She must’ve been a very kindred spirit,” he responds.
I nod my head, nothing to say.That was it.She was a kindred spirit. A beautiful one, at that.
“So, let’s get this right. You’re a fighter. Plus, you could potentially be an architect, if you decided that boxing wasn’t for you anymore, and you’re humbly fulfilled.By all of it. That’s pretty threatening to the game,” he summarizes.
My hand reaches the back of my neck, rubbing my bare, chilled skin.“Humbly, yes.But I’d say I’m hardly a threat,”I downsize myself and his compliments, though I appreciate them.
I still feel undeserving of an observance such as his— where I can do almost no wrong, and face no backlash.
“Hardly?”hescoffs.“Listen,son,ifyou’researching for the truth, it’s this,” he says, adjusting his eyeglasses. “You’re an improvement from the last young man that stepped foot in this house.It’s not hard to see that.I rejoiced when she left Daniel behind.”
Evenhearinghisnamebothersme.
“Right.Daniel.He’s…something,” I say.
His gaze swats to the area behind us, scoping out the scene before he looks at me again.
“I worried about her going to New York, and even though she’s been there for a while now, I still worry.To me, it’s much too far. But she’s my baby girl. If that city makes her happy, I have to accept that.” He sighs, painfully explaining his feelings.“I knew from the day we adopted her, it was the beginning of my integrity changing. We can be different skin colors, races, species—what have you—but sometimes Icanswearthatmywifegavebirthtothisginger-haired,
green-eyedangel,andit’suswhocreatedher.”
He’s passionate about her. Not in the way that I am. His boastful demeanor, though dignified, is exactly what every child deserves, no matter how old you are.It’s no wonder she misses them so much, and why she’s so patient with children. It’s because her parents are patient with her.
“With all due respect, Mr. Mayberry, even though you let her follow her dreams, she’s still your baby.I don’t think distance changes that. She’s a good person because of you two,” I assure him with an honest tone.
The skin of his forehead forms a few lines as his expression changes to a positive one. Then a warm, calm smile appears. “Italsomatterswhoyousurroundyourselfwith,”he states,pointingtome.“She’sthehappiestI’veseenher, in all of her days spent in New York. With you. So what does that say about you?”He begins to chuckle, amusing himself. “It says that I’m unsure if I’ll ever fully feel deserving of someone as special as her.She’s changed me in ways I’m unable to comprehend yet, but for the good,” I say, cracking
a smirk.“She’s kind of way out of my league, as well.”
His chuckles bends into a bud of laughter as he shakes his head.
“You’re perfect for each other. You’re both very humble in many ways, it seems. I think that’s better than nothing— being one in the same with someone.That’s how I view my wife and I. Modest, but exuberant in other ways.Most importantly, we’re exuberant together.”He speaks with conviction.
I clear my throat softly, then take a big swig of my gifted beer, hoping it’ll give me confidence for my next move.
“AboutNoelle.Ithinkitgoeswithoutsayingingreatdetail
that I’m pretty attached to her now. The feeling that being around her brings me feels like she’s done the impossible,”I explain, hinting towards my recent development of adorn- ment and love for her.
“And?”he pries me for more information.
“And…” I begin again.“I’m in love with her,” I quietly say, almost stiffening up to ready myself for his reaction.
“I’m not going to be hostile about that. Are you expecting me to?” he asks.
