Kim slept poorly that night thinking and worrying and when she woke up next day, she had a pounding headache and medication only dulled the pain. She was irritable and only her dad's offer to take straight to school mollified her. Once at school, Julie took one look at her and told her that she should have stayed home. Feeling like Julie was right, but unable to change anything at this point, Kim drudged through her day like a particularly irritable zombie. She ended up going to nurse's office to get a leave slip for her PE class, as she was in no shape to do anything athletic.

She was on the cot behind the curtain, taking a little shut-eye as the nurse suggested and was trying to drown out the feeling like her eyes were being jabbed. It was probably because of that it took her a moment to register the conversation that someone was having on the phone. She did not recognize the voice, but the girl was excitedly telling someone, "I know! This is totes cray! Lindz got the receipts!" ... "Yes! That's what I'm telling you!" ... "There is a photo of that skank and some guy!" ... "She just need to get it to him" ... "That's the problem... He does talk to her anymore." ... "I know! Once he sees it, that dumb Daisy Duke is going down!"

The excited girl was walking away and Kim relaxed again hoping the quiet of the nurse's office would help with her headache. She almost managed it. The headache ebbed and when she left the office, she was ready for her shift at the GreenBean with only a dull pain in the temples.

She was walking to her locker when she noticed that the cheer squad members were looking, no, staring at her and she was only mildly curious what got them so interested in her again. She saw Lindsay's smirking face in the periphery and wondered if the girl has finally moved on because she hadn't heard any more not-too-quiet taunts about herself.

She left the school with Milton, who took her to the GreenBean as he and Jerry were going to the dojo for their karate practice. That was an interesting development. She was glad that Jack had more friends now and smiled at Milton's enthusiasm. Good. It was good that Jack had friends.

Mike was already at the shop and simply threw her apron at her. He still was miffed that she did not tell him anything about that silver fox and why he needed to talk to Kim. He figured out that the man was related to Jack and Kai, as the resemblance was strong, and wanted to know what other drama could possibly go on in the Brewer clan. Kim just rolled her eyes at him and reminded him that her life was not a soap opera for him to salivate over. Mike pouted, but let it go, once he realized that Kim was actually in a bad mood and somewhat sick.

They were working side by side when a familiar customer stepped up to the counter. Mrs. Brewer, all smiles and warmth in her eyes, cheerfully asked Mike for cappuccino and turned to Kim, "Darling, how are you today?"

Kim was floored. Mrs. Brewer was always polite and cheerful, but after yesterday - the most awful day - her welcoming attitude was a respite. Kim was so moved by this that it took her a few seconds to gather herself to offer a polite response. Jack's mom did not buy it though and in a typical mom fashion, she leaned over and took Kim's hand in hers.

"Oh, darling, are you well? You don't look well. Let me see." She fussed and pressed her palm against Kim's forehead. "Oh, but you are burning up! Come on, let's sit down and you can have a nice ginger and honey toddy to help you." She motioned to Mike to prepare the 'ginger and honey toddy' and he looked as puzzled as Kim was. Mrs. Brewer misinterpreted the looks and fished out her credit card. "Here you go. Just charge her drink together with mine." She turned to Kim again and said more forcefully, "Kim, let's go. You should sit down, take some Tylenol or Ibuprofen and rest a little."

Feeling like she should not, and could not, argue with Mrs. Brewer, Kim stepped from behind the counter and followed Jack's mom to a far corner with two armchairs.

"I told Jack I would visit you and only now got the chance to do so. How are you? Other than under the weather?"

Kim mumbled that she was fine and Mrs. Brewer simply tsk-ed at her. "You and Jack are so similar..." At Kim's startled look, she continued, "I know that my husband got you fired. I am truly sorry for that. He had no right to do so."

Kim just stared at her, not knowing what to say. Yes, Mr. Brewer was an officious and heavy-handed snob, but he was also Jack's father and this woman's husband. Kim did not feel comfortable disparaging him and wasn't sure if she could say anything about the latest in the threats and offers from Mr. Brewer. She hedged and only shrugged in response.

"I don't think he expected me to be fired so quickly. He only complained about the service to the manager, who decided to fire me on spot. I cannot say that it was entirely because of Mr. Brewer's interference."

"You are much too kind, darling. I know Chris. He undoubtedly was very forceful in expressing his criticism of you as to leave the manager no option but to fire you. Chris knows that sometimes money carries a lot of weight and he is not above using its influence." Mrs. Brewer's face lost some of its cheerfulness as she frowned and looked down on her left hand, where one long elegant finger was displaying truly impressive engagement and wedding rings.

Kim shivered and thought that there was some story here, some long and sad story, and that Mrs. Brewer was talking from experience. Kim's imagination, always active and nurtured by years of voracious reading, immediately supplied several scenarios and she almost reached for the other woman's hand to squeeze it in support. She controlled her reactions. Who was she, but a recent girlfriend of the woman's son? She was not a friend and all her imaginings were just that - conjectures of the active imagination. Instead she tried to diminish impact of Mr. Brewer's interference.

"Really, Mrs. Brewer, that evening there was another customer, equally unhappy with my service and it was enough to tip the scale. I just need to find another job."

Mrs. Brewer did not look convinced, but she let it go. "I am glad you are not mad at Jack for this. He is much better now that you are with him." Kim blushed hotly at this and tried to look away unable to deal with this compliment. "It's true, Kim. He... He has been unhappy for a long time. He changed from the charming little boy into a taciturn and dutiful young man, but I knew he was unhappy. I just could not reach him. And then you came along..." Mrs. Brewer looked at Kim with a soft smile and Kim smiled back, soaking this unexpected praise and acceptance from Jack's parent.

"You give me too much credit, Mrs. Brewer..."

"Please call me Zoe. And I think I can help you with the job situation."

Just like that, Mrs. Brewer, no, Zoe, offered to recommend Kim to a music shop/studio that taught music to children of all ages and levels. Zoe thought that Kim could work with kids, who just began the learning process and she could teach the basics of the note scales, staves, hand positions, etc. She told Kim that she used to teach herself and knew the proprietors very well. She was confident that Kim would be a shoe-in. "Really, darling, you would love Ms. Evelyn. She is so enthusiastic and just loves kids. I was helping them out a little, but really, they need someone who can guarantee to show up at least twice a week. And they would never just fire you, because some snooty guy disliked you. You'll see."

Kim only managed not to burst into tears because she was sipping her 'toddy' and it helped her to swallow the tears. Zoe stopped taking when she saw Kim's expression and bright eyes.

"Is it called 'In the Groove' per chance?" Kim asked feeling hope and elation fill her for the first time since she was fired from the Two Palms.


Jack's tournament was broken into several days and by the time the semi-final round came he was ready to skip town. His fight with father left him unsettled, even if he did not regret it. He had this feeling that things would be changing rapidly and radically and the excitement for the change was also accompanied by apprehension. He now firmly put himself in opposition to father and that could mean a lot of things. Beyond what his father already did with taking away the car and the allowance, Jack thought that father could not do much more to threaten him, other than to disown him. And Jack did not think father would go that far. He was primarily worried about Kim. They talked yesterday and he had this feeling that she was not telling him something. He knew that the anniversary of her mother's death was approaching and Kim may have been quieter because of that. But maybe it was because of his father. Once again he wished he could shield her from all the troubles he brought upon her: between father, Kai and Lindsay, there was always someone connected to him, who harassed Kim.

His final rounds were approaching and he cut through his semi-final roster as he expected. There were easy matches and two that tested him. His new trick of focusing his anger and anxiety over Kim and their relationship worked like a charm and with his father's recent behavior, Jack had plenty of fuel for his focus.

His mother called him in the evening, sounding both cheerful and a little upset. It turned out that she visited Kim and while she was impressed with Kim's 'take a higher road' attitude, she was worried because Kim looked both physically sick and somewhat down in spirits. His mom's attempts to get Kim to talk about it did not work, because "that girl, Jack, is just as stubborn as you and she clearly did not want to upset me." Still, his mother managed to find out that she wasn't the only Brewer who visited Kim. Apparently, Mike, or as his mom put it 'that chatty co-worker of Kim's', told his mom that the GreenBean should officially put the 'the coffeehouse of choice of the Brewer family.' Kim tried to shush Mike, but he was too much of a gossip (and Jack knew it) to stop and told his mom that no less than two Brewers visited Kim yesterday.

"It would be just like Chris to try to pick on her again."

Jack felt like someone punched him in the solar plex. There were only so many Brewers in Seaford and he doubted it was his uncle or aunt, who came to see Kim. It had to be his father and Kai. That's why she was so uncharacteristically quiet yesterday. Damn it! He could only imagine what those two had said to her. She was usually full of snappy comebacks and managed to shrug off most of the unpleasantness without damage to her self-confidence and optimistic outlook in life. That she was still upset and quiet the next day told him that her conversations with father and Kai were especially cutting.

He did not remember how he finished his conversation with his mom. He literally had to ponder whether to ditch the tournament and just go back to Seaford to comfort Kim and to confront his relatives. His worst nightmare was coming true: instead of taking up their issues with himself, Kai and father chose to bully Kim.

Kim, who clearly decided to be noble and not tell him anything. It would be just like her to try and downplay the whole thing, like she did with pervious encounters with Kai and Lindsay.

The only thing stopping him from charging back to Seaford was the memory of how irritated she was when he tried to take it into his own hands and protect her. He promised not to jump the gun and talk to her, so he would do that. Even if he had to sit on his hands to stop himself from calling Kai or father.

When they talked that evening, he knew immediately that she was in better mood. She was chatty and regaled him with stories of Jerry and Milton demonstrating their budding martial arts skills. He let her go on for a bit and then simply asked her if she was officially tired of all the Brewers crowding her coffee shop.

She exhaled deeply. "Mike couldn't keep his mouth shut if it was sewn in... Your mom is lovely and she offered to help with a job. I really appreciate that."

"And my father and Kai? Why didn't you tell me?"

She sighed again. "Kai is not even worth mentioning. He comes and needles, but he is hardly dangerous beyond his words and occasional grabby hands." There was a momentary pause and Jack actually was still catching up to what she said, when she rushed to add, "Not like grabby-grabby hands. No. Never. I would flip him or throw a drink at him. He just was mad and grabbed me... Oh, its coming out all wrong..." She trailed off with a laugh.

Jack actually was already up and walking towards the door when he heard her laughter and he stopped, not sure what to think anymore, but still very much angry. "What happened? And do not downplay anything. I will call Mike and he will tell me everything. You know he will." He managed the words out while thinking how long it would take to drive Seaford without any stops.

"Fine, but sit down first." He did, only slightly surprised that she knew what he was doing. "It really is my own fault. He was his usual self, you know. 'Jack only cares about karate and business.' He's been saying that a lot. To let me know that such an average girl like me can't possibly measure up to the importance of your family legacy. The usual."

Jack actually had to mentally give his cousin some credit for a clever way to undermine his and Kim's relationship. He opened his mouth to speak, but Kim went on.

"So I replied by asking what was it that he cared about. Obviously karate, seeing as he is Brewer. But then I added that there was some damage that he was hiding probably. Like absent or over-involved parents." She stopped here and Jack's thoughts twisted around thinking what possible reaction in caused in Kai. "So, I passed the cup to him and he held onto my hand and warned me that I might upset a wrong Brewer next time I mouth off. That's it."

"That's it?"

"Yes, so please, cool your jets and don't try to, I don't know, call him out on this and try to fight again. I am fine. Not even a bruise. Promise." Kim was talking rapidly and striving for nonchalant, which only made Jack angrier.

Yes, she might have been fine this time. But what about next time Kai was in ill-temper? She said she'd flip him, but Jack doubted that she could. Kai was a serious Karate artist. He was strong and vicious and truly had no scruples. It if came down to it, Kim would not last long against him. Feisty as she was, she was not a true contender against Kai. More infuriatingly, Jack simply could not let this go on: Kai was using Kim to get to him and for the most part Jack trusted Kim to handle the verbal sparring with his cousin because she was good for it. But now Kai actually was getting physical and it bothered Jack more than he could articulate.

Forcibly refocusing himself to the conversation at hands, Jack finally asked the real question, "What about my father? I hope he didn't get you fired from the GreenBean." He said half in jest, but as Kim kept quiet his fear that that what actually happened mounted.

"... No, he didn't." She finally said and it sounded like the worst indictment. Somehow, there was a 'but' in her silence and reluctance.

"Kim..." He said fairly sure that his father had said or done something to her. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Jack... It's hardly a phone conversation. Come back and we'll talk. About everything."

He was right: things were changing rapidly and his father went after Kim after all. In some strange way, Jack felt relieved. Not because Kim was targeted, but because somehow this act by his father, this targeting of Kim, finally freed him from any residual sense of obligation he might have still felt. He just didn't care anymore what his father thought of him. Looking back he could see clearly that ever since his Grandpa died his father, always somewhat taciturn and serious, became virtually a stranger with cold and precise manners and even colder and more precise lectures. And he almost turned Jack into that as well.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, he would be done here and could finally go home, to Kim and mom, and tell his father off.

The next day he felt jittery both in anticipation of the fights and because he wanted to leave as quickly as possible and get back to Seaford. He had only one opponent left and though the other guy was strong and taller, Jack was confident that he was faster and had better reflexes.

He would not be able to recall all the moves used or even sequence of event, but at some point Jack kicked his opponent down, who waived off the referee, got up and charged again. Jack was prepared and so ready for all of this to be over that he only waited of one opening in his opponent's defense and just kicked him down with a foot straight into the chest. The other man could not draw large enough breath, let alone continue the fight.

Just like that Jack was declared a winner. If he was entirely honest, he would say he was disappointed that the fight was relatively short. He exhausted himself much more when he fought with Rudy or Kai. But then those two knew him and his strength and weaknesses better than anyone.

Not one to argue with the favorable results, Jack rushed to get ready to go. Rudy wanted to stay another day as planned, but Jack was simply too anxious to go and his sensei only shook his head and agreed to go immediately.

He was on his phone texting Kim, when Rudy broke the silence, "I thought of what you said. About the aftercare. Let's do it. I have always enjoyed working with new students and the aftercare program is a logical extension for the dojo. I might need additional space and, of course, all the paperwork... Which is why I am taking you on your offer. Start the process, find out what we need to do and let's do it."

Jack only could smile in return, "Yeah? So, am I your project manager for this then? What's my salary? You know, I don't come cheap..." he said half-joking.

"Well, it's your idea. You should be the one making it happen. And your compensation... We'll figure it out, after the aftercare is opened and running..." Rudy trailed off and Jack just laughed. He could not believe it: his father hardly let him breathe and his sensei was making him a project manager for the business expansion.

Things were looking up.


Jack was supposed to be back tomorrow and Kim was nowhere near the answer.

No, she did not want Mr. Brewer's help with job and scholarship. Accepting that man's help would be like selling herself and Jack out and Kim would not do that to Jack.

Never.

He made such progress with opening up to her and others, that her betrayal would be an unnecessary set-back. Didn't his mom mentioned that? That he changed once into a closed off and brooding man from being "charming boy." What would happen if he thought she betrayed him for material things?

But she was concerned about Jack's situation. Was it a height of selfishness to stay with him and cause him such hardship? He did not understand all that might be giving up, but Kim knew the restrictions poverty put on a person. And even if they managed to stay together despite monetary hardships, would his father accept defeat? What about college for Jack? She doubted that his father would just let Jack be. He would not be satisfied unless Jack was doing like Mr. Brewer wanted... Which entailed business school probably for Jack to eventually take over the company.

She thought that despite anything being said about choices and freedom to do so, Jack and her had very few of those. She was poor and had to work hard for every little bit and she would be happy to take any scholarship to any school, if she were so lucky. The course of Jack's life was charted out long before he was even in high school. The only choice they both made was the choice to be together. And even that was met with resistance.

Her thoughts halted and went back to that thought again.

They only had few choices and one of them was to be together. Jack's father was controlling and making decisions about his life all by himself. He manipulated the situation and tried to manipulate her into making his bidding. Could she really do it? If she broke up with Jack, even for his own good, would she not be invalidating his choice and acting just like his dad - making decisions unilaterally. After he opened to her. After he trusted her with a few precious insights into his life and heart.

The enormity of the possible decision made her gulp for air. She could not do that.

Yesterday evening, after she finally made it home still ruminating on her confrontation with Mr. Brewer and a lovely chat with Mrs. Brewer, her dad surprised her with a home made dinner. It was just pasta with the canned sauce, but it was hot and it was a sign of her dad getting better. She ate it swallowing hard against the tears and emotions.

Her dad must have noticed her mood, because he managed a light-hearted chatter throughout the meal and she was grateful for that. They were done with food and she went to pick up dishes for washing, when her dad stopped her by taking her hand in his.

"I know this past year was hard for you, Kimmy bear. It was hard for me too, but you had it worst. I was not much of a father to you and I am sorry for that." She was about to protest, but he just squeezed her hand. "It's true, baby, you know that. Your momma is gone, but she left me with you and you are so incredible. I know she would be proud, like I am. You get that fighting spirit from her you know." He chuckled and went on, "Your Nana Douglas was not at all pleased that mom chose me instead of a proper Southern boy to marry. Not pleased at all. She even stopped talking to us for while. But your mom was stubborn and optimistic. She used say that all that gentle waters can wear out a stone. She was right. When you were born, Nana came, took a look at you and said that you had the bearing of a true Douglas and that your mom did well." He stopped, smiling softly and Kim held her breath afraid that any movement or noise would ruin this moment.

"I know you are troubled right now. But our troubles are nothing as long as we are together." He finished, squeezing her hand once more.

Kim was silent for a long time and then, in halting and unsure voice, asked, "Remember, how you said that I should choose with my heart?" At his nod, she continued, "How do you know when that happens? When should you listen to your heart?" She said and blushed at that.

"Is there a decision to be made?" She nodded and blushed again. "Oh... Well, when you think of the decision and consequences, what are you thinking of? What do you want?"

"I think... I want him to be happy... Preferably with me..." She said quietly, still not sure her dad wanted to know all the details.

"And do you know what would make him happy?"

"..."

"Then don't take away that decision from him. Let him decide what makes him happy."

"But he is noble and would want to be a hero for me..."

"And shouldn't that be his choice? So, if you think you know his choice, then you should chose with your heart. You know that regrets about paths not taken are the harshest."

Kim laid in bed awake that night for a long time, thinking about her dad's words. She knew for herself, she wouldn't take Mr. Brewer on his offer.