She was thirty-eight, taught high-school history during the week, and handled Granite City’s youth beginner program. Naomi liked her almost immediately because Erin explained tapping before she explained winning.
“If anything scares you, hurts in a bad way, or you simply want to stop, tap.”
Lila raised her hand.
“What if the other person doesn’t want to stop?”
Erin answered without smiling.
“They don’t get a vote.”
Naomi looked at her.
Erin noticed.
“Correct answer?”
“Very.”
The beginner class went well.
Lila struggled.
That was good.
She forgot foot positions.
Tangled her sleeves.
Lost balance.
Laughed.
Tried again.
Nothing about the class promised invincibility.
Nobody told children martial arts would solve every problem.
Naomi began relaxing.
Then the advanced team entered.
Logan Pierce came through the side doors.
People reacted.
Not dramatically.
Status rarely needed dramatic introductions when everybody already knew who mattered.
Students moved bags aside.
Two teenagers whispered.
Malcolm Reid left his office to greet him.
Naomi watched.
Logan was technically excellent.
That annoyed her because she preferred arrogance to come with incompetence.
His transitions were sharp.
Balance excellent.
Pressure patient when he wanted it to be.
During his first round with another advanced competitor, Naomi found herself genuinely impressed.
Then he rolled with a young blue belt.
Maybe twenty-one.
Nervous.
Logan submitted him quickly.
Reset.
Submitted him again.
Third time.
The younger man smiled awkwardly.
Logan whispered something.
The smile disappeared.
Naomi kept watching.
Erin sat beside her.
“He’s intense.”
Naomi glanced over.
“That what we call it?”
Erin smiled faintly.
“He’s preparing for nationals.”
“That does not answer the question.”
Erin studied her.
“You really trained.”
“A long time ago.”
The open house began after Lila’s class.
Naomi originally planned to leave.
Lila had other ideas.
“There’s pizza.”
Naomi looked at her.
“You should lead with useful information.”
They stayed.
Wrestling demonstrations came first.
Then boxing.
Children’s drills.
Women’s self-defense.
Everything remained controlled.
Then Logan took the main mat.
Malcolm introduced him.
Four regional titles.
National invitational champion.
Twenty-nine tournament wins.
The crowd applauded.
Logan demonstrated techniques with cooperative partners, then completed controlled rounds against several advanced students.
He performed beautifully.
Naomi had no problem admitting that.
Then Malcolm asked whether volunteers wanted a light round with the champion.
Hands went up.
Mostly young men.
Logan selected a muscular CrossFit athlete.
Forty seconds later the man was laughing beneath him.
Next volunteer.
Another.
Then a woman in her twenties.
No problems.
Everyone enjoyed it.
Lila leaned toward Naomi.
“Would you do it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I enjoy having functioning knees.”
“You’re dramatic.”
“I work in physical therapy.”
“That makes it worse.”
Lila smiled.
Then raised her hand.
Naomi caught the wrist.