Your life hasn’t gone full circle yet, old man. Just wait.
SHANE. “So, do you remember where they were building that car dealership over by the barbeque joint” I asked as I got off the exit at Grand Avenue Parkway.
“I thought we were getting a sandwich? Barbeque will upset my old stomach,” Kelsey muttered as he looked out the window.
“We are, I just want to show you this building,” I said as I waited at the traffic light.
“Why, you buy a car dealership?” he laughed.
I shook my head, “No old man, I didn’t buy a dealership.”
“You know, I been here so damned long I can remember when this area was a damned pasture. Now, Austin doesn’t end for ten more miles. It’s sad and exciting both, kid,” Kelsey said as he looked out the window of my truck.
“I suppose it is,” I nodded as I accelerated through the traffic light.
“You suppose you’ll stay here, kid?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You know, now that you’re famous and all. You going to up and leave us? Maybe go to Vegas or Los Angeles or New York?” he asked, still looking out the window.
“Hell no, old man. I’m here to stay. I’ll die here. This is the only home I’ve got. You’re stuck with me,” I smiled.
He turned to face me and smiled, “I like hearing that. I like you kid, I really do. Like to see you keep fighting, you’re young. And you’re not at your prime, that’s for sure,” he said as he turned back to look at the window.
“Well, as long as your old ass will keep training me, I may just keep fighting. We’ll see. A few more fights anyway,” I said as I turned onto Picadilly Drive.
“Well, I figure I got another fifteen or twenty in me. If that damned gym don’t cause me a heart attack. Turning them poor kids away kills me, kid. The damned stress, I hate it. Boxing’s been my life, it’s all I know. I’ve hoped for a lifetime it’d turn into what it is now. I always wanted to help as many kids as I could, but we never drew the crowds. Now I’m old, and you came along and fucked up my little slow moving life. I got to tell you, kid, I like it,” He turned from the window and smiled as I pulled into the drive of the building.
“Hey old man?” I said.
“Turn to your right,” I smiled as I looked out the window toward the building.
“Well, what have we here? Kidd’s Gym and Training Center? When did they build this? Damn, that’s a doozy, son. Good god damn, probably fit about twelve rings in that big son-of-a-bitch,” he said as he opened the truck door and stared at the side of the building.
Fourteen, to be exact.
He stepped out into the parking lot and admired the building. I turned off the engine and got out of the truck and began walking around to where he stood.
“Hell, it don’t look like they opened her up yet. Wonder who this is? Probably that fucking Duncan from San Antonio. Son-of-a-bitch has pockets as deep as the Grand Canyon, the fucking bastard. Never cared much for that pretentious prick,” he mumbled as he walked toward the building.
“See how they got the front of her all covered in glass? I like that,” he said as he waved his hands toward the front of the building.
“Our gym is like a damned dungeon. Maybe I can get Joe to knock a hole in one of those walls and add a window someday,” he said as he continued to slowly walk toward the building.
“Hell, look kid, they got the parking stalls marked up there on the side, with them damned signs,” he said as he turned and began walking toward the sign immediately next to the front door.
A red and white steel sign was permanently affixed on the side of the building by the parking stall closest to the door. As he got closer to the building, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his glasses.
“Let’s see what we got here,” he said as he looked down and rested his glasses on his nose.
He looked up toward the sign, “Well, it says…”
“Kid?” he reached up and removed his glasses.
“Yeah, boss,” I responded.
“God damn it, Kid,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
“What is it boss? Read me the damned sign,” I chuckled.
“Says Be Kelsey,” he reached up and wiped his eyes, “Or Be Gone.”
It was the least I could do.
“What about the one beside it?” I hollered.
He walked closer to the building and looked at the exterior wall.
“If Your Name Isn’t Joe,” he turned to face me, “Back The Hell Up.”
“But the sign. The big one, it says Kidd’s,” he said as he turned around and shrugged his shoulders.
His hands were shaking, and he looked as if he was in shock.
“What do you call me?” I asked.
“Well, I call you kid, kid,” he responded.
As he spoke, it was as if he finally realized what had happened.
“It’s your gym, boss. Yours and Joe’s. That’s final. But here’s the deal. My name’s on the wall. Just didn’t look right with one “D”,” I laughed.
“Kid, this is just…” he turned toward the building and stared.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a keychain with the keys to the building on it.
“Old man?”
“Yeah, kid,” he said as he turned around.
I tossed him the keys.
“You’ll need those to get in. There’s ten rings, lockers, all the gear, everything. I figured we’d bring the raggedy rings from the old gym. Make it a little more personal,” I smiled.
He caught the keys and nodded his head.
“Yep. Well get those old raggedy rings in here, that’s for sure. One of ‘em at least is kind of a sentimental thing for me,” he said as he looked down at the key ring.
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Met my best fighter in one of ‘em. His name’s Shane Dekkar. I don’t call him that, though. I call him Kidd. With two D’s. The second one’s silent,” he smiled.
“I love you old man,” I smiled.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. After a moment of silence, I turned toward the truck; satisfied I’d done all I could.
“Let’s get a sandwich,” I said over my shoulder as I slowly walked toward the truck.
Kelsey turned around and sauntered toward the building, “You go get a sandwich. Pick me up when you’re done. I’ve got a gym to organize, kid.”
I opened the truck door and got in. After I rolled down the passenger window, I yelled at him as he walked toward the front door, “See you in an hour, old man. And don’t wear your fucking street shoes in the god damned ring.”
Kelsey faced the building and slowly raised his left hand high in the air with his middle finger extended. I shook my head and rolled my eyes at the thought of the old man flipping me the bird. His left hand still held high, he reached forward with his right and unlocked the gym. I smiled a smile to last a lifetime as he stepped through the door of what I hoped would become the future home of many kids who needed a place to forget about their pasts.
And begin their futures.
EPILOGUE
I think deep down inside I always knew I’d do something with the land beside our home. The two empty lots were now filled with two brand new two story homes I had the contractor build. After Kace and I moved in, it drove both of us crazy living in an upscale neighborhood alone. Now, A-Train lived to our left, and Ripp and Vee to our right. I put a swimming pool in the back of our home, and we shared it as much as we could – barbequing and having gatherings as much as possible. Having a family like this was what I always wanted, and now I had it – brothers, sisters, and children.
Life, to me, was complete.
As I looked out into the area surrounding the pool, I laughed as Jessie walked off the edge of the concrete and into the water. Into Ripp’s waiting arms she fell, laughing the entire time. Seeing her live without much fear was satisfying. She loved the water, and she was becom
ing a very good swimmer for only being 20 months old. Ripp spent almost every day in the pool, and was a far better father than I would have guessed he would have been. To think at one point in time I was disappointed in Ripp and Vee having a little girl allowed me to understand just how selfish we can be at times. Now, watching her giggle as Ripp tossed her in the air made me want to have a little girl of my own.
Kace and I hadn’t got pregnant again, but it wasn’t from lack of trying. As much as we had sex and didn’t use any form of birth control, it would stand to reason we would be blessed with another, but not yet. I smiled as I looked out over the pool by the barbeque grills.
Austin smiled as he grilled chicken on one, and burgers on the other. Watching him go back and forth between the two grills brought back memories of the finger chicken and Ripp’s frustration when Kace and I later dared to cook a burger on his chicken grill. Now, Saturday barbeques at our home were a standard. Sunday’s at Ripp’s parents were also mandatory, and the family was steadily growing.
Austin had won his first three professional fights, and all were by knockout. Seeing him develop into a fighter – and a good fighter at that – gave me tremendous satisfaction. I guess I was beginning to see a little of Kelsey in me, and a little of myself in Austin. I now know what had driven Kelsey to do what he’s done for as long as he’s been doing it. Passing the torch to a new generation is what my life of boxing is all about.
I’d fought twice defending the championship title, once was in Vegas against a challenger from Great Britain. The fight lasted less than a minute, and they paid me 50 million. There weren’t very many people happy about the length of the fight, but I got in a lucky punch I suppose. The second fight, in Atlantic City, lasted four rounds – another knockout and another 55 million. It’s almost disgusting the money a professional sportsman can make, but as long as their willing to pay it, I’ll collect it and do with it what I feel is best.
Staring out over the open space behind the house, I could see the school being constructed in the distance. It should be complete in six more months – a special school for special children. Special children who may be different in the eyes of many, but in the eyes of their parents were simply children. The school would be private, and require application for attendance. Any profits from the school would go toward building another just like it.
Having a special needs child is all I know. To Kace and me, Casey is simply magical. He knows he’s special in our eyes, and we’re special in his. He sees it when we smile, and we see it when he laughs. A-Train believes a baby laughing is therapeutic. I have to say I agree. There’s nothing a baby laughing can do but create joy in those who are fortunate enough to witness it.
As A-Train dunked Casey under the water, I raised my hand to my eyes to shield the afternoon sun.
“Make sure he gets a breath form time to time,” I screamed.
A-Train looked my direction as he raised Casey to just above the surface of the water. Immediately, Casey giggled and flapped his arms. A-Train responded with raised eyebrows. Casey, knowing what was next, closed his mouth and grabbed his nose. As A-Train lowered him into the water I grinned, knowing he was in good hands.
“Just about ready, boss,” Austin hollered from the edge of the deck.
“You might have to keep everything warm for a few, kid. Still waiting on Kace and the old man,” I responded.
Kace didn’t get a flu shot, and had been sick for a few days. This morning, she felt considerably better, and was excited for the barbeque. About the time Austin started grilling she got sick and ran into the house. As sorry as I felt for her, it was too late to change the plans of everyone who had already arrived.
“The best potato salad in the great state of Texas, right here,” Kelsey screamed as he walked around the corner of the house.
“I have my doubts,” Vee laughed from her perfectly positioned lounge chair.
She spent most of her time lounging in the sun and swimming since she added two partners to her firm. Now, she still worked, but acted more as a legal consultant. In the last year, she’d been to trial only once, and she embarrassed the federal government enough she made front page news. Without a doubt, she was a strong presence in the court room and in the Ripton household.
The neighbors aren’t necessarily thrilled with the fact we all ride motorcycles. When the three of us come back late at night from Ripp’s bar, it can be pretty loud. Car alarms typically go off as we enter the neighborhood from the exhaust sound waves alone. In time, I suppose they’ll all become used to it.
As Kelsey slapped me on the shoulder, he placed the potato salad on the table in front of where I was sitting. As he pulled out his chair, he yelled at Austin.
“Good fight last week, kid. When are we eating?”
“It’s ready, waiting on the boss’ wife,” Austin yelled.
Austin no more than spoke, and I heard Kace open the door and step out onto the deck. As I turned to face her, she grinned and jumped into my lap.
“Howdy, Kace,” Kelsey smiled.
“Kelsey,” Kace nodded.
“Feeling better?” I asked.
“Much,” she smiled.
“No headache or upset stomach?” I asked.
“Nope,” she smiled.
“Huh, maybe it was something you ate,” I said as I leaned forward to kiss her.
She shrugged and reached into her pocket. Slowly, she removed her cupped hand and held it in front of her, palm down. As I reached toward her hand in wonder, she dropped something in my hand.
“Is it?” I asked.
She nodded.
I picked up the applicator and looked at the little window.
“We’re pregnant?” I whispered.
She nodded her head and wrapped her arms around my neck. As I kissed her, I slipped the applicator into the pocket of my jeans.
“Can I?” I asked as I leaned away from her face.
She nodded her head eagerly. I stood from my chair and raised my hands to my mouth.
“I’ve got an announcement,” I screamed.
Eventually, everyone turned to face me.
“The food is ready. And…” I turned toward Kace and smiled.
As I turned toward the crowd, I stood proudly knowing our family was the best family life could offer a child, “Kace and I are having another baby.”
The sound from the swimming pool summarized the opinion of the group. A resounding “Ooh-Rah,” from A-Train echoed throughout the rear of our homes.
Today I don’t need to win a fight to feel like a champion. Today I am a champion, and I know it.
All I have to do is look around me.
Thank you, Lord.
Unbroken (Fighter Erotic Romance #4) Page 14
