Chapter Seven
"Yeah, I'm headed there now."
"I'm so happy the school board is letting you do this, Henry." Violet said as she opened her locker.
"Me too." Henry leaned against the lockers next to hers. "It's been kinda great. I got the computer program set up so fast, that Emma started training me on some small stuff. It's mostly like, work out routines and stuff, but I get time on a kick-boxing bag too. She says I got great legs." Henry's face scrunched at his final statement. "I mean…"
"I think I understand." Vi laughed.
"Shit."
Henry saw Neal and his crew walking toward them. He had been able to avoid them for over a week, but he knew it was impossible not to run into them at some point, going to the same school.
"What's up, Mills? [To Violet] My Buttercup." Neal stopped in front of Henry and Violet, his cronies flanking him on either side. "Did you boys hear Mills is going all Karate Kid on us? He doesn't have the sack to survive simple high school PE so he had to have his mommy pull him out of class."
The other guys laughed along, and other students started to notice. Some of those gathered had begun recording the confrontation on their phones.
"You gotta tell us how we can sign up too, Mills. Especially if we get to work with that hot blonde running the gym. You boys see the ass on that woman?" Neal boasted, adjusting himself to add to lewdness of it all.
Henry stared directly at Neal and said nothing. He wasn't going to take the bait. Even if he was going after Emma this time, Neal Gold wasn't worth losing his shot at training with her.
A slow smile formed on his lips as soon as he remembered part of the agreement from the board meeting. Neal couldn't touch him either.
"What the hell you smiling at, Mills?" Neal got within inches from his face.
"Oh just thinking about the fact that you can't touch me, and my Mom had nothing to do with it." Henry laughed, and spoke a bit louder. "Someone's daddy had to go and put a muzzle on him, so he'd quit embarrassing him."
Neal turned red, and without preempt, threw a punch. Henry ducked quickly to the side, causing Neal's fist to slam directly into a locker at full force.
The other students all reacted in amazement as Neal screamed out in pain. Teachers suddenly appeared to see what was going on.
"Henry?! Neal?! What's going on?" Mary Margret appeared with a worried look on her face.
Violet quickly stepped in, "Principal Nolan, Neal slipped and hit his fist on the lockers. It looks real bad." She pointed to the dented locker.
"I did not!" Neal screamed.
Coach Zambito looked over his hand. "Jeez, kid. First the busted nose, now your fist. At this rate you're never gonna be fit for the wrestling meet next week."
"It's because of him, Coach!" Neal screamed at Henry.
"Sounds like you're saying Henry kicked your butt, Neal." Violet said with a bright smile, making the boy angrier.
Violet turned to their principal and the coach, "Principal Nolan, Coach Zambito, I know the school has to report any and all altercations or incidences involving Henry and these students. And I do believe a lot of the students were recording with their phones. Should we ask them to send it to the school board?" Violet's smile was directed at Neal who was fuming and scared.
"I don't think that's necessary, Violet. Principal Nolan, this doesn't look broken, I think all he really needs is to get some ice on it." Coach Zambito said and took Neal by the nape. "Come on Gold."
Neal was taken away by the coach, and his team mates followed, throwing scowls at Henry as they left.
Henry didn't even spare them a glance, his attention completely on Violet. "Thanks, Vi."
"You're welcome." Violet smiled, then kissed him gently on his cheek. "I gotta go."
Henry smiled at her until he heard Principal Nolan cleared her throat.
"Henry. Was this a fight?"
"No Principal Nolan. I swear. Neal tried but nothing happened."
"Hmm…" Mary Margret didn't believe it, but not seeing any bruises or dishevelment of any kind, let it go. "OK. Well, it's 2:15. Shouldn't you be on your way to Emma's?"
Henry's eyes bulged as he looked at his watch, and yelled "I'm going to be late!" He ran down the hall out the doors in a flash.
…..
Henry ran through the doors of the gym and collapsed on his knees, out of breath but smiling. He had reached the doors right on time.
"You're late." He looked up at Emma coming out of her office.
"No I'm not. It's 2:30 on the dot." Henry looked at his watch.
Emma pointed to the clock hanging at the far end of the gym floor. "It's 2:35 by my clock. Navy Master Clock Time. Set your watch by it. I won't accept this again. Nor will I accept informality."
Henry stood. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Good." Emma approached him, dropping the stern façade and biting her lip. "My computer froze and has been showing me a twirling circle for the past five minutes. I'm pretty sure I pissed it off somehow."
Henry laughed and headed toward the office. "I got it."
…..
Henry looked at the clock in Emma's office and noticed it was 4:45. He had been cleaning out Emma's computer of spam and cookies, and realized he was getting hungry. Reaching into his bag, he retrieved a snack bar his mom always supplied him with.
He set the computer to run a virus scan, and decided to go see if he could help Emma set up for her evening class. Walking into the gym's main floor, he froze at the sight before him.
Emma was in a one-hand stand. Her eyes were closed and her legs were in a figure four. One leg stretched out, the other bent at the knee, with the foot tucked behind the stretched leg.
He didn't see a single show of strain in her muscles. She was completely balanced on the one hand holding her body upside down.
She took a deep breath before lowering her other hand, bringing her body down into a push up, and dropping her feet to the floor to stand. Opening her eyes to see Henry staring wide eyed at her.
"All done in there?" She walked over to get her towel and water bottle.
"I'm running a virus scan on your computer. From what I've seen you haven't done that for a couple of months." Henry said.
"I just bought it a couple of months ago." Emma's brow furrowed.
"I know. Which means you've never run a virus scan on it, and you're lucky it hasn't died." Henry laughed. He pointed to the mat, "That was crazy. I've never seen someone stand on one hand like that."
Emma took a big swig from her water bottle. "Not a lot of people can. It takes complete concentration. You have to center your mind, body and inner being. Usually others can only do one maybe two of the three."
"Can you show me?" Henry asked hopefully.
"Let's save that for later, kid. You can't start on advanced 'til you've learned the basics." Emma shot him a smile. "Go change into your work out gear. Class will be starting soon."
"We're training?!" Henry excited.
"No, I just don't want you to get your school clothes dirty. Your mom will kill me." Emma joked.
"I'm sure you wouldn't want that." Henry said with a sarcastic smile.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Emma huffed.
"Oh, come off it, Emma. I can tell you have a thing for my mom." Henry smiled. "If you hadn't suggested this job before meeting her, I'd of thought you only offered to get close to her."
"Henry, I would never do that." Emma turned serious.
"I know that." Henry assured her. He headed toward the bathroom with a laugh. "Anyway, she's too good for you."
"Hey!" Emma called at his retreating form. "If that's true then why did she agree to go out on a date with me, smart ass?"
Henry froze in the doorway and turned with an eye brow lifted. "She did?"
Emma panicked briefly until she saw Henry smile excitedly.
"You two are going on a date?! Like an honest to goodness date?" Henry walked back to her, clearly excited.
"Yeah." Emma said sheepishly, still not getting a proper reading on Henry's reaction.
Henry grabbed Emma by the shoulders, "This has been the best Monday of my life!"
"What?" Emma was now seriously confused.
"First, that asshole Neal slams his fist into a locker instead of my face. I don't get in trouble at school because then he'd be in trouble too. Violet stands up for me with Principal Nolan, THEN kisses me! I make it here on time AND you're getting my mom willingly out of the house! If I were eighteen, I'd go buy a lottery ticket right now." Henry smiled and walked back to the bathroom to change, leaving a very confused looking Emma behind.
Emma went through the list he just sounded off, in her head. "Wait so Neal tried to start a fight again?"
Henry yelled through the door, "Yeah, he started saying my mommy was helping me pull a Karate Kid by coming here. Called you a hot blonde piece of ass, by the way. Then I told him I wasn't the one who had a muzzle put on him by his daddy."
"I don't know rather to be flattered or want to punch the numbnut." Emma laughed. "How'd he punch a locker?"
"He was aiming for my head but I moved." Henry exited the bathroom in sweats and a gym shirt.
"And you got to kiss the girl. Good for you, kid." Emma patted his arm and motioned for him to help start taking down the mats. "Was Violet the girl in front of the Diner? The one your mom embarrassed you in front of?"
"Yeah, that's her. We've known each other since grade school." Henry blushed lightly. "She mentioned she wanted to check out your classes too, by the way."
"Cool." Emma said simply, trying not to make it a big deal and embarrass him. "So then… are you ok with me asking your mom out on a date?"
Henry chuckled, "Honestly, if you can get her to do something that's not work related or involves me, I will gladly support you in your endeavors."
"Gee thanks." Emma laughed. "We ended up having lunch together the other day. The Nolan's called us for lunch to tell us they're gonna have a baby."
"Yeah, mom told me. And you guys are going to be the God-parents. That's great."
"Yeah I thought so."
Emma motioned for Henry to sit on the floor across from her. They put their feet against each other, and held hands. They stretched their legs and back by pulling each other back and forth.
"So then the Nolan's bailed on lunch with us, and we stayed. Ended up talking for over an hour. I asked her out, she said yes, and I have no idea why I'm telling you all this." Emma laughed and shook her head.
Henry shrugged, "I don't mind. I was serious when I said I'm happy for you guys. My mom deserves to do something for herself, ya know?"
"All work and no play?" Emma asked.
"Yup. Mom in a nutshell." Henry laughed. "It's kind of funny in a totally-makes-sense-kinda-way, but you are so my mom's type."
Emma's brow furrowed, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"First. Understand that I've only seen maybe two or three of the women my mom's ever seen before, ok. But they've all been fitness nuts. A yoga instructor, personal trainer, and long distance runner. I'm not sure if the lunch with the runner was a date, though." Henry's face scrunched.
"Interesting." Emma said as they stood.
Henry shook out his arms and legs, and bounced with energy. "So what's tonight's class going to be?"
Emma laughed at his enthusiasm. "Well it's not something we've done before, but it will have a shorter meditation. Do you think you're ready for it?"
"You bet!" Henry said immediately.
"OK good cause here comes tonight's batch of students." Emma pointed toward the door.
Henry turned to see a group of women and toddlers enter the gym. His excitement fell instantly, and he heard Emma laugh as she walked away from him to greet her new young students.
…..
Regina walked through the entrance of the gym and was taken off guard at the loud sound of children coming from inside. She saw a swarm of toddlers in a circle around her son. One by one, Henry would roar at a child, and the child would roar back.
"That's right. Show him you're battle cry!" Emma cheered on. "One last time!"
This time around, when the child would roar at Henry, he pretended to shrink little by little. On the final roar, he collapsed to the floor, and a kid yelled out, "Let's get him!"
Regina watched as seven or eight children dog piled on her son. The mothers in the room laughed as the kids squealed in delight.
She was about to intervene, when she saw Henry stand with a roar. Kids still hanging all over him, laughing.
"Alright, alright, I think you guys got the picture. I think Henry has too. Everyone at attention!" Emma instructed.
Immediately the kids all calmed enough to move to a designated spot on the mats. Aided, of course, by both Emma and Henry.
"Alright warriors, I am impressed. You guys did very well on getting your warrior cry down." Emma smiled at the small group of five year olds. "Now what is your sacred oath as my students?"
As one, all the kids said, "We will not practice are warrior cries at home. It is only for class and emergencies."
Emma nodded her head with a large smile. "Good. Now we're going to do goodbye bows. Let me show you. Henry, come here."
Henry walked up next to her and stood at attention. Emma stood straight, arms at her side, and made a short bow. Henry repeated. "Do exactly that ok? Bow."
The little ones all bowed. Some of them deeper than others. One little girl lost her balance and fell over, but got up right away with a giggle to do it again.
Emma bowed back, "Good job! Alright kids, that's the end of our class, you can go with your parents now."
The class dispersed, and Emma was approached by a few parents to thank her. A couple of the kids wanted goodbye hugs from their smiling teachers. Regina's heart melted at the sight of Henry and Emma giving the little ones hugs and high-fives.
"Regina?"
She heard a low voice she hadn't heard in a long time, come from behind her. Steeling her features, she turned slowly around. "Kristen."
Regina turned to see an angry looking, older blonde woman. Arms crossed and jaw clenched.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here. Although I was surprised to see Henry." Kristen motioned toward the boy high fiving some of the kids.
"Yes, he's working and training here. I'm just here to pick him up." Regina looked toward her son, but captured Emma's worried eyes.
"So I see." Kristen caught the exchange and turned an arched eyebrow to the Mayor. "Got it bad for the teacher, huh?"
"I'm sure I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about. But I suggest you gather your son and run back to your husband. You know, like you always did before." Regina plastered her political smile on her face and walked away from the older woman, leaving her in a huff. "Bye now."
"Bye Miss Emma!" The kids yelled back as they were led out the doors.
Emma waved them all a goodbye, and smiled brightly at Regina as she approached.
Henry finished putting up the mats, and said, "Just give me a couple of minutes, Mom. Let me get changed really quick, and I'll be right out." Henry left them to go change.
Emma looked to the door to ensure the mothers were all gone. "Everything ok?"
"Yes." Regina sighed, "Just an old… acquaintance."
"Okay." Emma took in Regina's tailor made power suit. The slit on the thigh of the skirt, giving Emma a speeding pulse. "How'd the meeting go?"
"Long. I just wrapped it up before coming here. Thank you for keeping him a bit longer. Looks like you guys had fun." Regina smiled.
"Not a problem. It wasn't quite what the kid was expecting, but he handled it like a pro, and he was great with the kids." Emma beamed.
"It's funny. I don't think Henry's ever been around toddlers before. I'm kind of surprised and proud." Regina looked to the door Henry had gone through.
"You should be. They were all so nervous, but he helped me joke with them enough to participate, and pay attention. He'd make a good teacher if he ever wanted to. Or great big-brother." Emma took out the band holding her hair up and shook it out.
In Regina's mind, she saw the movement in slow-motion. Beautiful blonde locks cascading over strong shoulders. Emma's hand slowly feeding through long strands as an 80's rock ballad played in her head.
"'Gina?" Emma said a little louder with a laugh. "Did you hear what I said?"
Record screech. Regina shook her head, "Sorry?"
"Dinner? Tomorrow night? Are you available?" Emma flashed a dimpled smile she knew the brunette liked. "I know we've both been busy to uh… go on that date. But I'd love to take you to dinner tomorrow. If you're available."
"Yes." Regina said, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Yes, tomorrow would be perfect. I'm off at 5."
"Great. My last class ends then too. I can drop off Henry after his hours here, then come back and get ready. That way I'll know where to pick you up at say seven? How's that sound?"
Regina slowly scan Emma's form. "Perfect."
"All ready to go, Mom. Meet you at the car." Henry passed by them. "Night Emma."
"Night, kid." Emma's eyes did not move off of Regina's. "Tomorrow?"
Regina gave her a smoldering smile, nodding silently, before simply walking away.
…..
"So, how was your day, sweetheart?" Regina asked the moment she joined Henry in the car after leaving Emma.
"It was great, Mom." Henry smiled excitedly.
"I'm glad. It's nice to see that handsome smile back." Regina beamed.
Henry turned to her. "Can I ask you something, Mom?"
"Sure. You can ask me anything." Regina was trying to play it cool. It had been years since Henry willingly opened up to her. She always had to pry things out of him.
"Do you like Emma?" Henry smirked at the nervousness that covered his mother's features. "You do, don't you?"
"She's a very level headed woman, owns her own business…" Regina stated simply. "And she's helping us out immensely with your credits."
"She's also funny, caring, strong and independent… Beautiful and sporty." Henry added wickedly, watching his mom sweat.
Regina's neck twitched. "I suppose."
"Is that why you're going on a date with her?" Henry felt the car swerve ever-so lightly, and laughed inwardly.
"How did you know?" Regina panicked.
"She told me."
"She did?"
"She did. I told her you were too good for her tough." Henry was trying really hard not to laugh, or make his mother more uncomfortable. "But she called my bluff."
A soft smile came to his mother face that truly made him happy. Now knowing the effect his genuine smiles has had on her.
"So you like her?" Henry asked again.
She took a deep breath, "Yes. I don't know why. She just… she's easy to talk to."
"For what it's worth, I think it's a great idea." Henry said, placing a hand briefly on her shoulder. "It's been a long time."
Regina turned teary eyes briefly toward him, then back to the road.
"Listen, Mom." Henry took a deep breath and hung his head. "I know my stuff's taken up a lot of your time, and I know that you've sacrificed doing things for yourself. I just want you to not worry about me for once, ok?"
Regina didn't say anything, just nodded that she understood.
"I'm sixteen. I can handle it if things don't work out with you two. I'll still be fine training with Emma, too. Although if she breaks your heart, I'm might have to break my probation." Henry joked, making his mother laugh.
"So, what I'm hearing is, 'Get a life, mom.' Am I right?" Regina wiped tears from her eyes.
Henry laughed as well. "Get a life, Mom."
Regina sighed and nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Henry."
"No problem. So would now be a good time to ask if I can date?" Henry's hands flew to the dashboard as Regina slammed on the breaks.
