CHAPTER 3: A LITTLE LATE

Tommy headed back in to the gym after his conversation with Kim. He finished his work out, and then headed home. While walking home he could not stop thinking about her. He wondered why she was so eager to learn self defence. He had never taught anybody before, and she looked so girly. "this isn't gona be easy" he thought to himself. But he needed the money and for some reason he wanted to help her. He was not sure why, maybe it was the look in her eyes when the man at the desk told her they didn't hold any classes. It was one of total disappointment she almost looked as if she was going to cry.

Tommy was all sweaty from his workout so when he got home he ran straight upstairs for a shower. After his shower he threw on a white muscle vest a pair of black sweat pants and a black hoddie. He headed downstairs and sat in the sitting room flicking thru the channels for a while, He found a documentary on sharks and decided to watch it. When it was over he headed into the kitchen. Paddy was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter reading a paper and sipping a cup of coffee. Paddy had not had a sip of alcohol since he fell of the wagon at Sparta.

Hello Tommy," there is coffee in the pot he said pointing to the pot of coffee on the kitchen counter.

Thanks," Tommy replied and he went over to pour himself a cup.

How was your day?" Paddy asked looking up from reading his paper.

Good," Tommy replied with a small smile, I found a job well its not a real job but it will do for the moment. Until my shoulder has fully healed that is. Tommy slowly moved his shoulder around and let out a small grunt as it was still quite stiff and sore.

That's good" Paddy said with a look of relief on his face.

Paddy had been worried about Tommy. He new he was always better off with some sort of routine. When Tommy would be training for a fight he would be so focused and determined that it would pull him out of himself. But when he had to much time on his hands he would get lost in his head reliving his past and he would drink and pop pills to block out the pain.

So when do you start this new job? Paddy asked curiously.

Now " Tommy said looking at his watch it was nine twenty. ive gotta go pops" he downed the last of his coffee and headed out the door.

Ok bye" Paddy replied but Tommy was already gone.

Tommy ran back to the gym as fast as he could. He was worried that if he was to late Kim would think he wasn't going to show. He worried that she would leave the gym and he would never see her again. "I don't even have a contact number for her" he taught to himself and I really need this.

Kim was waiting outside the gym, she looked at her watch it was nine fifty. Maybe he changed his mind" she taught I mean I don't even no why he offered to help me in the first place. He probably went home and taught about it and then decided it wasn't worth his while," I mean im sure he has better things to do anyways and not everybody has as much time on there hands as I do" she said to herself ill just give him a few more minutes" she decided.

She stood there looking disappointed she had her arms wrapped around herself trying to keep warm as it was quite a cold night. She looked around her and began to feel frightened there was not many street lights and everything in the distance was black. Calm down Kim your fine," Keith's house is just over there," she said to herself then she could hear someone coming at her from behind. she was so scared that it didn't even enter her mind that it might be Tommy.

Her heart began to race and her lungs tightened making it hard for her to breath. She was to afraid to turn around and see who it was because she new there was a small chance that it might be him. That the person behind her might be her husband that maybe he had found her.

Suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder from behind and in that moment she was terrified she had her eyes closed but turned around and she started to scream at the top of her lungs. "Help HEEELLLPP ME please some one help me," she clenched her fists and began to swing her arms around to free herself from this person who was now holding her by both shoulders.

Kim calm down," its ok its me Tommy open your eyes." Kim stopped fighting suddenly and opened her eyes to see Tommy's broad frame standing in front of her. He was looking at her like she was crazy, Kim was so relieved to see that it was not her husband.

Tommy's two hands were placed on her arms that were now resting at her side. He was looking into her eyes that were still full of fear. "Breath Kim breath," Tommy told her as she was still hyperventilating. She rested her head on his solid chest. She could feel his chest move with every breath and she gradually slowed her breathing down to match his.

Tommy moved his hands down from her arms and placed them around her waste he pulled her close to him. he stood there for a few minutes holding her tight. he felt so sorry for her the look of fear she had in her eyes when he looked into them remedied him of his mothers when Paddy would come home drunk.

Kim pulled away from Tommy and looked up at him "o my god," she said now realising how crazy she must seem to him. I am so sorry" she said meaningfully. you must think im completely nuts she said looking down at the ground feeling very embarrassed.

No Tommy replied, I don't think your nuts you were scared," I shouldn't of snuck up on you like that."

No I am really sorry Tommy," I should not have freaked out like that, I new we were meeting here so I don't know why I got so scared I should of known it was you.

Its ok," don't worry about it," do you get panic attacks a lot?" Tommy asked looking into her green eyes that did not look as full of fear now. No I was just standing here in the dark for so long I freaked myself out," that's all," she replied trying to shrug it off so Tommy wouldn't keep asking her questions.

Im sorry I was late Tommy said now feeling terrible that he left her waiting alone for so long.

Its fine she said can we forget what just happened and get started," im really embarrassed," her cheeks were bright red.

Forget what," Tommy said smiling come on lets go inside its freezing out here.

They entered the gym it was pretty empty. there was one guy working out but they basically had the place to themselves. Tommy gave the receptionist a nod as they walked passed him.

Tommy got Kim to warm up by jogging on the spot and doing some jumping jacks. He then got her to do some stretches, and couldn't help but take note of her perfect figure while she stretched in front of him when she bent down to touch her toes he could not help but smile a little as he admired the view.

He brought Kim over to a chair and gestured for her to sit. She sat down and he went to his locker taking out some white material.
He walked over to where Kim was sitting and pulled a chair for himself. He placed it in front of her and sat down so they were face to face. He took her right hand and placed in his lap. He than began to strap her hands starting at her wrist than her thumb and fingers, why are you doing that?" she asked looking down at her hand. Because I don't want you to break anything he said looking up at her for a second slightly smiling and returning to what he was doing.

Tommy took Kim by the hand and led her over to a punching bag. hit it," he said to her nodding his head in the direction of the bag just encase she didn't no what he wanted her to hit.

Kim punched forward at the bag hitting it a very weak punch. and then looked at Tommy, waiting for his next instructions.

Again," he said," harder this time.

Kim did as he asked and hit the bag again and again as hard as she could.

Now use your left hand he said grinning at her because she hadn't even realised that she had been hitting it with only her right for about ten minutes now.

Kim swung for the bag with her left and was that un coordinated that she nearly missed the giant bag in front of her. sorry," she said let me try again. Kim was finding using her left arm very difficult and was getting frustrated.

Were going to have to strengthen that arm," Tommy told her and he walked over to her with a bandage. He tied her right arm around her back. Now only with the left he said.

Kim kept swinging at the bag sweat starting to run down her face. She couldn't believe how difficult this was. You are my arm I control you," she said in her head now hit the bag harder for gods sake.

She continued this for about ten minutes than Tommy untied her arm now hit with ur left then right then left and right he instructed.

Kim did as he asked and kept hitting the bag now using both hands.

Ok that's enough of that for today Tommy said," he took her hand again and led her over to a mat on the floor.
She lied down on the mat and he got her to do five minutes of sit ups than five minutes of flutter cross over's. He made her repeated this four times.
Kim felt like every muscle in her tummy was screaming and a few times she nearly gave up but Tommy kept motivating her. Come on Kim you can do it." just five more, three, now two and one. Good girl," now hug ur knees into your chest hold like that for a few seconds," ok now stretch it out."
Kim stood up off the mat. She bent a little placing her hands on her knees trying to get her breath back. She looked up at Tommy please no more im fucked," everything hurts she said with a look of pain on her face.

Ok I suppose that's enough for today," Tommy said laughing while he watched Kim try to pull herself together. If you think your sore now wait till the morning," he said smirking.

Great I cant wait," she said sarcastically.

So ill see you again at the same time tomorrow?" Tommy asked.

Kim looked so tired he didn't no if she would even want to continue with this.

Yea same time tomorrow she replied," and don't be late." actually take my phone number and ring me when you're here and ill just head over than.

Tommy handed his phone to Kim and she entered her number in to it. She handed the phone back to him and they walked out of the gym.

do you want me to walk you home Tommy asked?

No thanks Kim answered. You see that big white house across the street she said pointing in the direction of Keith's house.

Tommy nodded his head and said yea I see it."

Well that's me.

Ok well ill watch until u get inside safely."

Thanks," Kim said giving him a big smile. she taught it was cute that he wanted to make her feel safe after her freak out earlier tonight. And that he hadn't brought it up again knowing how embarrassed she was about it.
They said there good byes and Kim headed across the road.

Tommy did as he said he would and waited until Kim was safely inside the house before he started to jog home himself.
When he arrived home he headed straight to the kitchen he was starving. He hadn't really ate anything all day. He made himself a sandwidge and sat down in the sitting room to eat it. He was flicking through the channels on the tv but there wasn't much on. When he finished eating he went up the stairs for a shower and than hit the bed. He lay there and couldn't stop picturing Kim's face when he snuck up on her tonight. he wondered why she was so afraid. He new it was normal for girls to be scared when alone on the streets at night. But her house was only across the street and she wanted to learn self defence which really made it seem like she was afraid of something or someone.

When Kim entered the house she said hi to Keith who was in the sitting room. He looked at her and laughed she looked a wreck she was drenched in sweat. Her face was flushed and she could barely hold herself up.

Well how did it go? He asked.

Good she replied but im so sore," I used muscles I didn't even no I had," she said. Im gona go for a shower and then turn in. Ill see u in the morning," night Keith."

Goodnight Kim.