Junior Year Box Set

Star Wars would be on everyone’s mind for their opening. No one wanted to release their movie the same weekend, especially a second sci-fi movie. It originally had been thought they would open the week of Christmas and power through until the end of the year. We were in a prime location to go Christmas weekend. If all the kids had already seen the monster we’d be competing against, and they wanted another space adventure, we could do very well.

“That might be good for us,” I said.

“Everyone’s excited. I’ve asked the studio to get me revised press junket information so we can work it into your shooting schedule for the new movie. I called them and gave them a heads-up that your time is rather constrained right now.”

If demands on my scant free time weren’t bad enough with the governor’s visit, I would now have to deal with my face being plastered all over TV between now and Christmas. I felt sorry for the rest of the cast. They would all be in Florida this weekend. I had gotten out of all of that rigamarole because of football.

◊◊◊

Cassidy, Brook, and I drove to the dojo after football practice. Brook wouldn’t give me a clue as to what Beth had told her. She would just give me a mysterious look and make vague references that I’d find out soon.

When we entered the dojo, I spotted Fritz, Rita James’s security person. I had directed him to the dojo so he could train. He came out with Shiggy.

“This is my best and her student,” Shiggy said. He introduced Cassidy to Fritz and then went to teach his beginners class.

“I’d like you to spar with David so I can get a feel for you,” Cassidy said.

“Are you sure he’ll be okay?” Fritz asked.

“Just don’t do any permanent damage,” Cassidy said, which had me worried.

We got on the mat and Cassidy ordered us to begin. Fritz was sneaky-fast, and I think I surprised both him and Cassidy because I surprised myself when I survived his initial attack. Cassidy had drilled me on how to protect myself, and I was enough of an athlete to move out of the way. On the second pass, Fritz upped his game, and it was obvious he outclassed me by a wide margin. He had years of experience on me, whereas I had reach on him and was a little quicker than he was. I also had better stamina. If I could keep the match going, I might have a chance. Cassidy stopped us.

“I think we need to equalize the two of you a bit,” she said and handed me a baton.

I dropped it and looked awkward. Fritz smirked and attacked. It was really his fault. I just tried to defend myself, but I knocked him out with the baton.

Cassidy and I looked at each other. Of course, the beginners liked to watch us, and when we got too rowdy, Shiggy would have to make us stop. I guess their gasps had Shiggy running to us as soon as Fritz hit the mat.

Fritz had tried to do a leg sweep, and with my extra two feet of reach with the baton, I attempted to block his faked punch. As he dropped to do the leg sweep, the baton had caught him in the temple. If it had been a metal one, I might’ve killed him. That would leave a mark.

Shiggy sent Cassidy to his office for his first aid kit. She quickly returned with the kit, and Shiggy got a small plastic pill and cracked it. It was smelling salts; he put the pill under Fritz’s nose. Fritz came to and tried to sit up.

“You’re okay. Just give it a minute,” Shiggy said.

Fritz said something in German that was probably a cuss word. Shiggy helped him sit up and then Fritz looked for me.

“I haven’t been knocked on my butt like that in over ten years. That’ll teach me to be overconfident.”

“I’m sorry I hit you so hard,” I apologized.

“No, that was on me. I got too eager and made a dumb move. I’d like to work with you two and get back to fundamentals. I’ve let my training slide.”

“What do you think, Cassidy?” Shiggy asked.

“No. David isn’t ready. I would ask that either my dad or Coach Zoon join us to spar with Fritz. If David and Fritz spar, we can expect more of the same.”

Cassidy left to make a phone call, then came back and she and I began to work with batons while Fritz watched. I respected that he never made a comment while we were sparring, but would discuss moves with Cassidy when we took a break. About thirty minutes into the class, Coach Zoon showed up. Cassidy took the lead and directed us in what we were learning.

Coach Zoon and Fritz took each other’s measure, and I was glad they were there. Watching the two of them showed me what I might be like if I worked at this for many years. They were never out of position, and they were so powerful when they struck. I could see where I held back, afraid I would hurt Cassidy. These two warriors trusted in their training and went full-tilt on each exercise. I really wasn’t ready.

◊◊◊

When we got home, there were a lot of cars at my house, so I had to park on the street.

“Go take a shower and then come down,” Brook told me as she and Cassidy went into the house.