Page 2 of A Kickin' Karate Christmas
“I don’t think I can afford a marketing plan,” Mateo replied, shaking his head.
I sighed, looking back at my daughter. She was running through her routine while her friend watched. “That’s enough of a payment,” I told him, indicating my daughter and her friend. “Emerson loves it here. I don’t want her to lose this place.”
And if that wasn’t enough for him, we could figure out some kind of compensation. Maybe he’d accept bartering. A few private lessons in exchange for my work. Whatever it would take to get him on board.
“Are you sure?” His voice was soft as he questioned the validity of my offer.
If I hadn’t been when I made the offer, that tone in his voice alone would have made me completely sure. “I am,” I assured him. “You don’t have to agree right now. Think on it, and then, text me.” I pulled a business card out of my wallet and flipped it over. I took one of the blue ballpoint pens from his desk and scrawled my personal cell phone number on the back before I passed it over to him. “Or you can call me. Either way.”
Mateo paused for a moment, fingers running along the rounded edges of my business card before he nodded.
I let the conversation drop and turned my attention back to my daughter. She and her friend ran through their kata a few more times before the other girl’s mom peeked her head into the room and told her it was time to go. I could hear Emerson groaning as her friend walked away and decided it was time to pull her out of her practice zone, too. We still had to get home and get her ready for school the next day.
I didn’t expect to hear from Mateo that night, but after I got Emerson put to bed, I began researching ideas. Even if this wasn’t a paid project, I was going to treat it the same way I would if Mateo had walked into my office and hired me. I started by looking at his website, making notes on ways it could be improved. I searched the dojo online, taking notes of the web presence and the limited ads I found. I searched other dojos in the surrounding areas, and I took notes on them as well.
After an hour, I had a file of notes and a silent phone.
I didn’t even know if he was going to take me up on my offer, if he was willing to let someone help him save his business. He had to, though, right? Not accepting help would be a bad idea, and Mateo didn’t strike me as the type to let pride interfere with what was best for the children he taught. Keeping the dojo open was what was best for them. It was what was best for Emerson.
I found myself checking my phone as I closed my laptop and began going through my nighttime routine. I took a quick shower, and I fought to keep my thoughts off Mateo and the wayhe’d looked at me that night. It crossed a line. He was Emerson’s sensei, which would be the same as jacking off to thoughts about her teacher. Those were lines that shouldn’t be crossed, but images of Mateo’s skin glistening with sweat danced around the corners of my thoughts. I turned the water to cold and finished my shower.
I’d given up on Mateo reaching out by the time I laid down and put my phone on the charger.
Which was, of course, the moment my phone buzzed.
Mateo
Sorry for texting so late. I was thinking about what you offered, and I’m not sure if I can take you up on it.
Jake
Is there a reason?
Mateo
I can’t pay you.
I feel like it’d be taking advantage of you.
I looked at the words on the screen.
Jake
It’s not taking advantage if I offer my services.
Besides, I’m getting something out of it too.
Mateo
Yeah? What are you getting out of it?
Jake
A happy kid.
The text bubble appeared and disappeared a few times as I watched, waiting for his reply.
Mateo
