It was less tournament than fundraiser.
The money kept Harbor Point's youth program running for families who couldn't afford tuition.
That year mattered more than usual.
The building's heating system needed replacement.
Daniel Reeves estimated they were nearly thirty thousand dollars short.
Ryan saw an opportunity.
"If we make the show bigger, people donate more."
Daniel nodded.
"Within reason."
"We should livestream it."
"Fine."
"Invite sponsors."
"If they're appropriate."
"Let me do a full-contact demonstration."
Daniel looked at him.
"No."
Ryan laughed.
"Why not?"
"Because this is a family fundraiser."
"I wouldn't hurt anybody."
"That's not the point."
Ryan leaned back in the office chair.
"You know what the problem with this place is?"
Daniel already regretted asking.
"What?"
"We act afraid of success."
Daniel studied him.
"No, Ryan. We act afraid of stupidity."
Ryan smiled.
He thought Daniel was joking.
He wasn't.
The Thursday before the exhibition, the gym was packed.
Parents occupied every folding chair along the far wall. Younger students practiced combinations near the mirrors. Eli worked with another boy in the beginners' group.
Thomas stood in his usual place.
Ryan was louder than usual.
He had two friends visiting from another gym, both amateur fighters who laughed at nearly everything he said. A local fitness influencer was recording short videos from beside the cage.
Thomas noticed Ryan performing for them.
He ignored it.
During a break, Eli ran toward him.
"Grandpa, did you see my roundhouse?"
"I saw it."
"Was it good?"
Thomas considered the question.
"Your hands dropped."
Eli frowned.
"Coach Ryan said it was good."
"It was good."
"But my hands dropped?"
"Both things can be true."
Eli thought about that.
"Can you show me?"
Thomas shook his head.
"Ask Coach Daniel."
"Why?"
"Because he's your teacher."
Eli looked disappointed.
Thomas placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Learning who to listen to is part of learning."
Ryan overheard the exchange.
He had been walking past with one of his friends.
He stopped.
"Didn't know Grandpa was an expert."
Thomas removed his hand from Eli's shoulder.
"I'm not."
Ryan smiled.
"Sure sounds like you are."
Eli looked between them.
Thomas said, "Go get some water."
The boy hesitated, then obeyed.
Ryan watched him leave.
"You always do that."
"Do what?"
"Make little comments."
Thomas sighed.
"I told him to ask Daniel."
"You told him his hands were wrong."
"They were."
Ryan's friend laughed.
Ryan didn't.
"You ever train?"
Thomas looked at him for a second.
"A little."
"What style?"
"A few things."
Ryan grinned.
"That's what people say when they watched Bruce Lee movies as a kid."
Thomas smiled faintly.
"Could be."
He turned away.
Ryan stepped with him.
"You know, we're doing demonstrations Saturday."
"I heard."
"You should come."
"Eli's participating."
"No, I mean you."
Thomas stopped.
Ryan's grin widened.
"Come show us a few things."